X
Buyer's Guides & Advice Reviews News & Videos Skills Trips Stories Sweepstakes Magazine

Read the latest edition
Paddling Business

Continue to the category
Paddling Business

Built For Retail

In 2024, longtime paddlesports retailer Todd Frank, owner of Trail Head and Trail Head River Sports in Missoula, Montana, purchased inflatable canoe manufacturer SOAR Inflatables from longtime owner Larry Laba. The move abruptly saw him join the ranks of paddlesports manufacturer as well as...
Eugene Buchanan 0
Paddling Business

ACA’s New Smart Start Instructional Series Welcomes Newcomers

The American Canoe Association has released a new series of instructional materials aimed squarely at new paddlers. The illustrated...
Jeff Moag 0
Paddling Business

21 Industry Leaders On Paddlesports’ Most Pressing Issues

We asked retailers, brands and industry leaders for their thoughts on everything from tariffs and direct-to-consumer sales to freight...
Jeff Moag 4
Industry & Trends

Rafting Outfitters Still Rebuilding And Reopening After Hurricane Helene

When Hurricane Helene struck the Southeastern United States last October, it left a trail of death and destruction in...
Eugene Buchanan 0
Paddling Business

Chaos & Consolidation: Paddlesports Shakeups In 2025

It’s been another wild year for paddlesports manufacturing. After the bust-boom-bust of the pandemic and its over-stocked under-sold aftermath,...
Jeff Moag 0
Paddling Business

How The Sweeping Trade War Is Hitting Paddlesports From...

We all saw this coming. During the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, Donald Trump frequently expounded on his love for...
Jeff Moag 1
Bow Lines

Behind Paddling’s Participation Boom

As you dive into this issue of Paddling Business and tales of a tumultuous year for the industry, here’s...
Kaydi Pyette 0
Load more
Paddling Business Logo

About

Welcome to Paddling Business & Kayak Angler Business, Rapid Media's paddlesports and kayak fishing industry trade magazines.

2026 Product Guide

Featuring next year’s hottest gear for canoeing, kayaking, whitewater, fishing and paddleboarding. PLUS: sweeping trade war slams paddlesports; rebuilding after Hurricane Helene; is "butts in boats" finally paying off; and industry leaders sound off on what matters right now.

Start Reading — Free!

Paddling Business 2026
Kayak Angler Business 2026
Paddling Magazine

Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life.

© 2026 RAPID MEDIA