10 Reasons Kushiro Shitsugen National Park Is The Best Place To Canoe Trip In Japan

December 13, 2021

There’s just something about a river canoe trip. Maybe it’s the promise of fewer portages, maybe the feeling of going with the flow or maybe the anticipation of what’s around the next bend. Of course, there’s invariably some drawbacks to paddling a river, including lifting over beaver dams, dragging through shallow sections and often having fewer options for where to pitch your tent for the night. But what if there was a river that had all of the pros above and more, and none of the cons?

Meet the Kushiro River.

River running through marshland with distant hills in background — Paddling the Kushiro River brings all the advantages of river tripping and none of the disadvantages. | Photo: Yoshiaki Kataoka

100 kilometres in length, the Kushiro River runs through the pristinely beautiful Kushiro Shitsugen National Park on Japan’s most northerly island of Hokkaido. There are no beavers in Japan, so no dams to worry about on this river—even the man-made kind. And with depths consistently ranging from two to six feet year-round, there’s no need to get out and drag sections. Lastly, designated campgrounds along the way mean you never have to wonder where you’re going to sleep at night.

So with none of the drawbacks of river trips marring your experience on the Kushiro, you can focus entirely on the merits. Watch this video to experience canoeing on the Kushiro River.

Illustrated map of Hokkaido with animals — Kushiro Shitsugen National Park was the first place in Japan to be registered as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention.

The national park is without a doubt the highlight of the river. Its here that you enter a vast marsh—the reason this 260 square kilometres was designated a national park in the first place. It’s unsuitability for development combined with the more recent efforts of conservation groups have kept the marsh in an unspoiled state, abounding in flora and fauna.

In fact, in 1980 it became the first place in Japan to be registered as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention. Many of the elements of the wetland that make it so valuable are also the elements that make it a prime canoe tripping destination.

Read on to find out what makes the Kushiro River the best place to canoe trip in Japan.

[ Find out more about the incredible paddling experiences on offer in Hokkaido ]

Beautiful scenery

Running from Lake Kussharo out to the Pacific Ocean, the Kushiro River roams through incredibly varied, yet equally stunning, scenery. For the first 50 kilometres from the headwaters, the river is hemmed in by jungle-like growth with overhanging trees and thick bushes. Lakes farther downstream are nestled among rolling, tree-covered hills. But enter the marsh for a landscape all its own and that is starkly different in its beauty.

Reeds and grasses line the riverbank, the wetland on either side rising only a few metres higher than the water and stretching out in every direction, flat and unobscured until it meets the distant horizon. There is beauty in the vastness of both the land and sky, your eyes not quite knowing where to linger with nary an obstruction for 360 degrees.

Take in the sheer magnitude of the landscape from the heart of it, the river, and afterward soak it in from above from one of the many observation decks. The Kushiro Marsh Observatory will provide you with various lookout points along its 2.5-kilometre boardwalk trail. From here you can see the river winding through the marsh and stretching on into the distance.

River surrounded by greenery and hill in background. — The wetland stretches out in every direction, flat and unobscured until it meets the distant horizon. | Photo: Courtesy of National Parks of Japan

River flowing through marshland with rainbow in background — There is beauty in the vastness of both the land and sky along the Kushiro River. | Photo: Yoshiaki Kataoka

Plentiful wildlife

In an environment so flat and unimpeded, you would think there would be no secrets. Yet hidden within the reeds and grasses, and beneath the surface of the turbid waters, are myriad creatures, each more intriguing than the last. All in all, Kushiro Shitsugen National Park contains 700 species of plants and 1,300 species of wildlife.

Look in the waters around you to catch a glimpse of Japanese huchen, or “phantom fish,” the largest species of freshwater fish found in Japan. Look to the riverbank to see Ezol sika deer gazing back at you. On shore you might uncover the rare Siberian salamander, which is believed to have survived the Ice Age. White-tailed hawk often take to the skies, looking for fish and rodents below.

The crown jewel of the park is the red-crowned crane. Once thought extinct in Japan, a small population was discovered in the marsh. Thanks to protective measures, the cranes have flourished, numbering 1,500 today. Since these are non-migratory birds, you can view and witness their graceful dance year-round.

Cranes taking flight with snow and bare trees in background — Witness the graceful dance of the red-crowned cranes in the Kushiro Marsh. | Photo: Courtesy of National Parks of Japan

The Kushiro River flows at one to two kilometres per hour, allowing you ample opportunity to observe the wildlife you might encounter and float quietly on by.

A multitude of day tripping options on lakes and rivers

Whether you’re short on time or looking for a full-on adventure, the Kushiro River provides plenty of options from a range of outfitters. Choose between a two-hour or four-hour tour through the marsh with Kushiro Marsh and River. North East Canoe Centre offers a half-day tour from Lake Toro, along the Arekinai River and through the marsh.

HGM Outfitters offers a full-day course through the marsh, including time for fishing and a lunch break. The Lake Toro Nature Centre offers the most diverse day trip offerings, varying in length from 1.5 hours to three hours.

Multi-day adventure ready

Take advantage of the full length of the Kushiro River on a multi-day canoe trip. Once again, multiple companies offer tours, varying in length. Somokuya offers the trip in four days and three nights, and supplies all camping and paddling equipment. They can also accommodate shorter trips such as two days/one night and three days/two nights. Nanook’s tour, alternatively, takes five days and four nights.

If you prefer to kayak, River and Field offers a tour that takes four days and three nights. Camping equipment isn’t included, but you can rent from the company.

tents and tarp at a campsite in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan — Enjoy the solitude away from roads and towns, and truly soak up your surroundings. | Photo: courtesy of Tomoki Kokubun Photography

two canoeists paddle down the Kushiro River in Hokkaido, Japan — Take advantage of the full length of the Kushiro River on a multi-day canoe trip. | Photo: courtesy of Old Place

Starting at the headwaters, you can expect deep, wetland-like forest, lots of bird activity and crystal-clear waters. This section is much wilder than downstream sections and there are frequently downed trees. You’ll even navigate through some class II swifts.

Most tours choose to skip the section after this, between Teshikaga and Shibecha, in part because the river here has a concrete bottom and seawalls on both sides, making for a less scenic paddle, but primarily because flood damage has made a portion hazardous to paddle through. Instead, you’ll be driven to an access point upstream of the marsh, and continue on down to the Iwahogi Water Gate or Hosooka, depending on the length of tour.

On all trips you’ll enjoy solitude away from roads and towns, and be able to truly soak up your surroundings and discover all its most closely held secrets.

Explore archaeological sites

Begin your trip from or make a side-trip to Lake Toro to explore 400 archaeological sites that lie within the surrounding hills. There was once a kotan, a traditional Ainu—the indigenous people of Hokkaido—village here. It’s likely the people living here caught salmon and trout on the lake, using the waterways to trade with other villages.

Today, there is a train station and a national highway near the lake, continuing the tradition of the lake as a transportation hub.

the Kushiro River in Hokkaido, Japan — The indigenous people of Hokkaido likely used the waterways to trade with other villages. | Photo: Courtesy of National Parks of Japan

Take advantage of incredible guides

Regardless of your paddling ability, guides only serve to enhance your trip experience, as they are a source of knowledge about the area you’re traveling through and will be able to help you navigate the unfamiliar waters. In many cases, such as with HGM Outfitters, Nanook and Lodge Shirarutoro, the guides will stern the canoe, allowing you to take in your surroundings. The guides at Lodge Shirarutoro are environmental education instructors, able to provide insights into the surrounding ecology.

Lakeside Toro uses large canoes that fit eight people, making trips more accessible to kids and older folks, and allowing outings as a whole family. Your guide will expertly steer the canoe and point out interesting natural phenomena as you encounter them on your journey.

All-season paddling

While winter temperatures do fall below freezing and the area does receive some snowfall, the Kushiro River rarely freezes anywhere but at its mouth, allowing paddling tours to run throughout the winter. Outfitters continue to offer tours into the winter months on even Lake Toro and the Arekinai River, right up until these waterways ice up.

Companies that offer winter paddling include Lakeside Toro, Family Canoe Toro and Toro Nature Centre. Wintertime paddling is a magical experience, granting you views of hoar frost covered trees, mist over the water and sparkling riverbanks.

Overhead view of bare trees with snow on ground and sunrise in distance — Enjoy paddling in the national park even in the winter. | Photo: Courtesy of Japan National Tourism Organization

Deer stands on a snowbank with bare trees in background — Wildlife will be more visible in the winter landscape. | Photo: Courtesy of National Parks of Japan

Of course, the most popular time to visit Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is April to September, when the weather is warmest. Plan your trip in June or July to see the landscape at its most lush. During this time, you’ll have a full display of irises, Jacob’s ladder, daylilies, and Japanese meadowsweets.

In fall you’ll be witness to the changing leaves, breathe in crisp air and enjoy quieter surrounds as the world slips into hibernation.

Easy to get to

The reason there are so many trip options on the Kushiro River is that the river has various access points, most of which take little effort to reach. Forget needing a four-wheel-drive vehicle and having to drive hours at a snail’s pace to reach the put-in.

The cities of Kushiro and Shibecha are located very close to the national park boundaries, and roads and railways pass close to the Kushiro River at several points along the route through the marsh, allowing you quick and easy access.

Many visiting paddlers rent a car at the nearby Kushiro airport and use this to access their starting point on the river. Even easier: If you choose to take a guided tour, you can take a shuttle bus from the airport to JR Kushiro Station, where the guide will pick you up and transport you to the put-in. Alternatively, you can catch a train from JR Kushiro Station to the start of your paddling adventure. It’s not uncommon for those with folding boats to use public transportation to get to and from the river!

a seafood restaurant at the Kushiro fisherman's wharf in Hokkaido, Japan — Kushiro is the birthplace of robatayaki, a traditional style of coal grilling that has become synonymous with Japanese izakaya. | Photo: Eri Shimizu

Incredible post-trip meals

Once off the river, the first priority is a good meal. Kushiro is the birthplace of robatayaki, a traditional style of coal grilling that has become synonymous with Japanese izakaya—a type of informal Japanese bar. Robatayaki originated from a century’s old practice of cooking food at the edge of the hearth.

There are many places to try robatayaki in downtown Kushiro City. In traditional restaurants, cooks with years of experience use their expertise to bring out the flavor of ingredients such as oysters, shrimp, crab, and Okhotsk atka mackerel, all caught in the nearby sea. There is also a growing number of more relaxed establishments where you can try grilling for yourself.

Ganpeki Robata, located in Kushiro on the Kushiro River, is a great place to experience and indulge in this cuisine. Here you can enjoy seafood on the quay of Kushiro Port and take in views of the Nusamai Bridge. Make a reservation, purchase a ticket, and then peruse the offerings at each counter, using your ticket to purchase different food and drink items. Once you’ve selected your ingredients, go to your seat and begin grilling. The staff will instruct you in how to grill different things and make recommendations.

behind the counter at a restaurant in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan — Ganpeki Robata is a great place to experience and indulge in Kushiro cuisine. | Photo: Eri Shimizu

a selection of food available at a restaurant in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan — Make a reservation, purchase a ticket, and then go to each counter using your ticket to purchase different food and drink items. | Photo: Eri Shimizu

man grills food over charcoal at a restaurant in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan — Once you have it all picked out, go to your seat and begin grilling. | Photo: Eri Shimizu

Range of accommodation options

Immerse yourself in nature by basing your stay or pulling off the river and stopping for the night at a campground. Takkobu Auto Camping Ground is located on Takkobu Lake, which connects to the Kushiro River via a small tributary. This is a fully featured campground with coin showers, laundry, a small shop and access to the Kushiro wetlands. They rent canoes, bicycles, tents and sleeping bags. You can choose to tent camp, but they also have small, one-room lodges.

Toromotomura Campground is a more basic campground on the shores of Lake Toro, providing simple tent camping sites and washrooms. You’ll have access to Lake Toro and the Kushiro River from here.

Find out more here:

Best Canoe Brands For Tripping, Whitewater, Fishing & More

Paddling Magazine Staff

December 12, 2021

people paddle and fish from various Old Town canoes — Feature photo: Courtesy Old Town Canoes and Kayaks

Choosing your next canoe can begin with deciding on a brand. Whether this is your first canoe or you’re looking to add another one to a growing collection, picking a brand can help guide your purchase. The choices are varied. Excellent canoes can come from brands with storied reputations for building reliable canoes over decades, or else be from newer start-ups that have breathed fresh life into the industry with innovative materials.

With so many brand options, you’re likely to find one that aligns with your paddling style and aesthetic or practical preferences. For some folks, a company’s location, environmental practices or community track record will determine whether they choose to support the brand.

On this page, you’ll find information about choosing a canoe brand, along with links to learn more about some of the most popular canoe brands.

Explore canoe brands

Different brands create canoes for various activities or use specific materials. Some brands like Esquif exclusively make plastic canoes, which are rugged and durable for whitewater paddling. Others like Wenonah choose to focus on building lightweight composite canoes.

Further, some canoe brands like Old Town feature a comprehensive range of recreational canoes for solo or tandem paddlers. Start exploring under the headers below.

Whitewater canoe brands

Clipper
Esquif
H2O Canoe Company
Nova Craft Canoe
Pakboats

Canoe brands Canada

Clipper
Esquif
H2O Canoe Company
Langford Canoe
Nova Craft Canoe
Pelican
Sanborn Canoe Co.

Aluminum canoe brands

Grumman
Waterstream

Fiberglass canoe brands

Clipper
H2O Canoe Company
Nova Craft Canoe

Kevlar canoe brands

Clipper
H2O Canoe Company
Nova Craft Canoe
Stellar Kayaks

Recreational canoe brands

Clipper
Esquif
H2O Canoe Company
Nova Craft Canoe
Pakboats
Pelican
Venture

Best canoe brands

Here you’ll find our in-depth articles about some popular canoe brands and the best canoes they make. Each of these brands makes canoes for different paddlers within different price ranges.

Follow the links below to find information about each of these brands, including the types of canoes they build, buying advice for new and used canoes, as well as links to find them and more.

How to choose a canoe brand

When should you buy by the brand?

If you’ve seen a canoe that you love but it doesn’t quite match your needs, it’s helpful to check if that company makes boats that do. For example, you may have rented a 16-foot Kevlar canoe that’s just about perfect, but you’d like to have more storage capacity. There’s a good chance you can find that same model in a slightly longer 17-foot version.

Paddlers ready to jump from a recreational canoe to something a bit more efficient may discover that they can look to the same company for a more seaworthy touring model. Some of the best canoe brands have a range of canoes to offer, but they all share familiar aesthetics and outfitting features. If you find the seats of one canoe to be comfortable, the seats are likely similar across all models of that brand.

Buying a canoe begins with having a solid understanding of how you intend to paddle. Once you know what sort of paddling you want to do, you can start to look at canoes that match your style. All canoes are not created equal, and the price is not always an indicator of quality.

That is to say, paying more will not always give you a better canoe. It depends on how you want to use it.

At what stage do you choose the brand?

If you’re a new canoe buyer, you should start checking out canoe brands once you have a specific type of canoe in mind. Consider the type of paddling you want to do. Our Paddling Buyer’s Guide divides canoes into six primary categories: lakewater & touring, recreational, river tripping, expedition, fishing & sportsman, and whitewater. Most canoes will fall into one of these categories. There are also niche categories like folding canoes, racing canoes or pack boats. Let’s quickly review the different canoe categories.

Lakewater & touring

Lakewater & touring canoes are a broad category encompassing any canoes used for general touring. They balance tracking and maneuverability and have shallow-arch hulls that provide secondary stability. Secondary stability refers to a canoe’s ability to right itself when it’s on edge, and this is an essential feature for paddling in chop and current. Most tandem lakewater & touring canoes are 15–18 feet.

Recreational

Recreational canoes are ideal for beginners or casual paddlers. They have broad, flat hulls, making them highly stable on calm waters. Generally, they are shorter than 16 feet and intended for day-tripping in sheltered lakes and slow-moving rivers.

River tripping

River tripping canoes have more rocker than their lakewater & touring counterparts. Rocker is the bow-to-stern curve of a hull. A canoe with little rocker would have a nearly flat hull for traveling in straight lines. A canoe with plenty of rocker, like a river tripper, has upturned ends. This makes the canoe turn and maneuver easily, a benefit when navigating obstacles in moving water.

Expedition

Expedition canoes take aspects of lakewater & touring and river tripping canoes and crank up the capacity and durability. These canoes are designed for extended wilderness trips, where you’ll be hauling lots of gear through rugged terrain. The classic Prospector design falls within this category.

Fishing & sportsman

Fishing & sportsman canoes may resemble recreational canoes. They are also geared toward stability but may have higher cargo capacities for hauling gear and game. Square-stern canoes are ideal for those planning on mounting small outboard motors. Some may have fishing-specific features like rod holders or accessory mounts.

Whitewater

Whitewater canoes may have some overlap with river tripping canoes. They will also have lots of rocker. Nearly all whitewater canoes use durable, impact-resistant materials like T-Formex or polyethylene. Whitewater canoes designed for playboating or creeking, like Esquif’s Zephyr, don’t have the same storage capacity as tripping canoes and are less than 12-feet long. These canoes are for running more technical rapids rather than taking extended trips.

Most canoe brands make various canoe types, with different models falling into each of the above categories. If you already own a canoe that you love but are looking for a new kind of canoe, then check out the brand in our Paddling Buyer’s Guide to see if they have one that matches your new style. It’s pretty cool to have a matching fleet of canoes, one for any purpose.

What materials do they use?

Once you’ve decided what type of canoe you need, you can start shopping for brands. Some brands focus exclusively on specific building methods, while others dabble in a bit of everything. The material you choose will correspond with your budget and the type of paddling you’ll do.

Most modern canoes are made of plastic or composite materials. Composites are lighter, while plastic is nearly indestructible.

Some brands like Old Town make their canoes exclusively out of polyethylene, which produces durable canoes and keeps the price low. Esquif’s T-Formex material is one step above polyethylene in price and performance. You can find other brands such as Mad River making their models in Esquif’s T-Formex material.

Higher-end brands like Wenonah use composite materials, which are more expensive but significantly lighter and stiffer, providing better performance. These materials aren’t as fragile as you may think and can still withstand rigorous use.

Other companies, like Nova Craft, offer their models in various materials. It’s possible to get the same design in polyethylene, fiberglass or their proprietary TuffStuff Innegra-blend.

Where are they from?

In addition to the type of canoeing you’ll do, think about where you plan to take your canoe. Canoe makers often tailor their craft to their local waters. For example, Swift tests their design prototypes in Algonquin Provincial Park, adjacent to their factory in South River, Ontario. It makes sense that the boats they build will thrive in lake-filled environments resembling the Canadian Shield country.

There’s merit in supporting brands that build their canoes locally. If companies make their boats in the U.S. or Canada, they’ll state it on their site. A company that’s been around for a long time will have established quality control measures and standards to ensure consistency across its production lines.

What are their values?

Purchasing a new canoe supports a company, so you may want to look beyond the boat itself and research what the company stands for. You can find information on many brands’ websites that indicates their philosophy and values, including environmental initiatives or any community activities they run.

Most importantly, no amount of searching online compares to getting in a canoe and trying it out. This is really the most important part of any canoe purchase. Visit a local paddle shop, or attend a demo day and talk to the staff there. If you describe your needs and budget, they can suggest brands and models that match. Seeing and trying canoes out may surprise you, and you could find one that wasn’t even on your radar.

Best SUP Brands For Touring, Surfing, Yoga & More

Paddling Magazine Staff

December 11, 2021

Feature photo: Courtesy BIC SUP

With a large and growing number of standup paddleboard brands to choose from, both in store and online, you might find yourself wondering which ones take the top spot as the best paddleboard brands.

Some SUP brands make less expensive paddleboards while others build boards to go faster and further. Some brands sell boards that are stable enough to SUP with your pup and some standup paddleboard brands focus only on manufacturing paddleboards that inflate and deflate to be easily transportable. Some brands are focused on getting entry-level paddlers out in a packaged deal while others create specialty boards for whitewater, racing, expeditions or yoga.

Before you start looking at the top paddleboard brands, first consider that the idea of there being a “best paddleboard brand” is relative. There is no paddleboard popularity contest, although some brands are dominating the market. What’s best for me when choosing a paddleboard might not be what’s best for you. I also want to remind you that, cheesy though it may sound, the best paddleboard brand is always the one that gets you out enjoying the water safely.

In your search for top paddleboard brands it’s important to consider factors that might be most important to you, such as storage, transportation, price, durability and the presence or absence of additional features that you might want to have on a paddleboard.

The best paddleboard brand for you will be the one that can most closely deliver the right combination of what you’re looking for in terms of performance, cost and functional features, as well as any additional must-haves or nice-to-haves. The top paddleboard brand for you will essentially capture your on-water personality and aspirations within the span of a 10- to 14-foot paddleboard.

With all that said, we have compiled a list of best paddleboard brands. Check them out below but remember to keep in mind what “best” means to you as a paddler with individual needs.

Shop SUP brands

To help with your search for the best SUP brands we’ve compiled a large list of standup paddleboard brands to browse and choose from. While this list does not include all of the paddleboard brands out there it is a really great starting point which offers a variety of designs and price ranges.

In my own search for paddleboards, I often like to get a sense of the brand first to have an idea of their values and mission. I look into what kind of reviews they get and what the general quality of their standup paddleboards is. I try to understand the range of models they offer, as well as to simply see if I like their style and the look of the boards they sell. If you are investing your hard-earned money into a paddleboard it feels important to know who you are supporting, what their brand personality is like, as well as their customer service.

Best paddleboard brands

Now that you’ve had a chance to shop SUP brands to get a feel for each of the paddleboard brands and do a comparison of some of the lineups, let’s take a more thorough look at some of the top paddleboard brands.

Chances are good that you may have heard of some of the standup paddleboard brands listed below. Some have decades of watersports experience, some aspire to environmentally friendly manufacturing, some focus on affordable big-box store family-friendly models, and some bands cater to the ambitiously adventurous by keeping up with the latest innovations.

We’ve expanded on each of the best paddleboard brands below with articles discussing a general overview and history of the brand, their top paddleboard models, new and used buying advice, and more.

Click the links below to browse the articles and learn more about the best paddleboard brands.

Best SUP Brands For Touring, Surfing, Yoga & More

How to choose a paddleboard brand

With so many standup paddleboard brands to choose from, how do you pick one and does the brand really matter?

Let’s tackle the second question first, does the SUP brand really matter? The answer is both yes, and no, but often it matters at least somewhat. By that I mean if you are looking for a high-performance board you aren’t going to buy a brand that only offers entry-level paddleboards, and vice versa. However, if you are a novice paddler who plans on paddling recreationally in calm water the paddleboard brand matters much less and is often overruled by simple personal preference. The fewer performance requirements or considerations that you have for a paddleboard, the less the brand matters.

Many brands offer beginner, all-around, inflatable paddleboards for under $1,000. If you add additional considerations onto that inflatable beginner SUP, like a two-year warranty, a record of excellent customer service, sustainable manufacturing practices, good durability and a potentially higher price tag then your search for SUP brands that meet that criteria will narrow down.

The brand starts to matter more when you become more specific in what you are looking for as well as when you start paddling at a higher level and require better performance, features, design and manufacturing quality. Intermediate and advanced paddlers love to talk about the best SUP brands because they start to develop brand loyalty as they find the paddleboards that are best-suited to their specific needs.

The more niche the area of paddleboarding you are in, such as racing, expeditions, and whitewater, the more importance will be placed on a SUP brand that designs models specifically for that particular style of SUP paddling.

If you find yourself with minimal requirements for a paddleboard, the brand won’t matter much and you won’t need to seek out the best paddleboard brands. If you are in search of something particular in a paddleboard and believe the quality of your paddling experience will be enhanced by finding the right paddleboard brand for you, let’s explore how to pick the best standup paddleboard brand.

Remembering to keep in mind what is best for you as an individual, here are some questions to consider when researching and getting familiar with SUP brands:

What is the manufacturing quality of a brand’s paddleboards? Generally, brands that use materials like carbon fiber or fiberglass will have good construction techniques. High-quality inflatable boards use military-grade PVC with MSL construction. From there, double drop stitch construction, and single drop stitch construction offer successively less rigidity and durability.
What type of paddleboard are you looking for and what types of paddleboard does the SUP brand specialize in? Do you like their designs and do they have the features or accessories that you might want or use?
What is your budget for a paddleboard and which brands sell paddleboards within this price range? Read more on this in our article How Much Are Paddleboards.
Do the values of the SUP brand align with your personal values? Look at their personality and presence by peeking at their website and social media accounts to get a feel for what the brand represents. Is it important to you that a brand supports social or environmental initiatives or gives back to the community?
Is there a store nearby that sells the brand or is there an option to ship a paddleboard to you? Some paddleboard brands may be more accessible to you than others based on location.
What is included in the purchase of a paddleboard? Are there additional accessories that come with the package?
Does the brand offer a warranty on the products and do they have good customer support available?
What have reviews said about this brand and their paddleboards?

Reading paddleboard reviews online is a wonderful way to learn which SUP brands to avoid. Stay away from brands that reviewers have identified as having had bad customer service. You want to be able to rely on their support if there is a defect with your paddleboard after you have invested in the SUP. Why not try out the customer service response to a few of your questions prior to buying so you know what to expect?

Don’t choose brands based solely on a low price, like those you can shop for on Amazon. I would advise you to instead save up for something in a slightly higher price range from a brand that you’ve heard good things about. It would be wise to swipe left on SUP brands that don’t offer many details on specifications like weight limits and sizing, or don’t offer information on material construction.

Armed with this information you can review paddleboard brands above. As you search for the best paddleboard brand for you, you’ll serve yourself well if you try to spot the difference between the brands that will make you a lifelong customer as opposed to those who are hoping to pull you in with a quick sale.

All-Around Recreational Canoe Review: Pelican 15.5

Paddling Magazine Staff

December 8, 2021

The Pelican International 15.5 canoe is built tough, for many years of recreational paddling on rivers and lakes. It’s constructed of legendary RAM-X plastic, a durable material that’s proven to stand up to the rigors of rocky rivers. The Pelican 15.5 leisure canoe is versatile, with three seats that make it suitable for tandem and solo paddling as well as outings with three paddlers.

This 15.5-foot canoe has plenty of volume for weekend trips and more, with good depth to make it seaworthy in rough conditions and a flat bottom for good initial stability. With a price well under $1,000, our 15.5 Pelican canoe review concludes that this classic canoe remains budget-friendly while offering solid performance and outstanding durability.

Canoe Reviews

On the water with the Pelican 15.5

Pelican 15.5 Specs

Length: 15’6” / 4.75 m

Width: 37.5” / 95 cm

Weight: 81 lbs / 37 kg

Capacity: 800 lbs / 363 kg

MSRP: $469 USD / $759 CAD

Performance

Many paddlers note that the Pelican 15.5 has the perfect blend of speed, stability and maneuverability. We would have to agree; it’s our exact definition of an all-around recreational watercraft.

The Pelican International 15.5 canoe handles well on rivers and lakes, with the capacity to handle backcountry canoe camping trips ranging from a weekend to a week in length. The 81-pound weight makes it heavy to carry but lends durability and also allows the 15.5-foot Pelican canoe to feel secure in stronger winds.

Market and demographics

This 15.5-foot Pelican canoe is billed as a river canoe, with good maneuverability to help you steer around obstacles. And when you hit a rock, the patented RAM-X plastic hull is built to withstand years of use (and even abuse). The keel is the centreline of the hull from bow to stern. Pelican has reinforced the keel line of the 15.5 canoe with an aluminum rod to ensure structural integrity and paddling efficiency.

It’s part of what makes the Pelican 15.5 an excellent choice if you’re looking for a cheap canoe that has been built to last and will work well in a variety of applications. You can store it outside (ideally in a shaded location) without any worry of the Pelican 15.5 being damaged by the elements.

The Pelican 15.5 canoe comes equipped with fishing rod holders and three molded seats, making it suitable for anglers, families and solo paddlers. Use it at the cottage or on a day trip at your neighbourhood pond. There is much to be said for such a versatile canoe at this price.

father and daughter with beached Pelican 15.5 canoe in front of mountains — Photo: Courtesy Pelican

father and daughter paddle a Pelican canoe in front of mountains — Photo: Courtesy Pelican

Comfort

The molded plastic seats of the Pelican 15.5 canoe are highly functional, tough and reasonably comfortable—and they can be modified for longer days on the water (see below). It’s important to note that the Pelican 15.5’s plastic hull is far more comfortable to paddle than comparable aluminum canoes. It offers two main advantages over aluminum: The RAM-X plastic remains cool to the touch in hot weather and provides insulation between paddlers and cold water.

About the Pelican 15.5 canoe

Design

Design features and details

The most notable design features of the Pelican 15.5 canoe are its moderate rocker, flat-bottomed cross-section profile and flared entry lines. Combined, these features produce a canoe that responds well to paddle strokes on twisty and rock-studded rivers, with excellent stability and a dry ride in waves and chop.

A pronounced keel running along the bottom of the canoe allows the Pelican 15.5 to track straight on lakes; it also adds stiffness to the supple RAM-X hull, making it more efficient to paddle.

Material and construction

The Pelican 15.5 canoe is made of RAM-X, a proprietary polyethylene plastic that’s impressively durable. In fact, this heavy-duty canoe tripping material has a long track record of durability, originating with Coleman canoes in the 1980s. Pelican uses an aluminum rod along the keel line to increase stiffness in the hull to make it more efficient to paddle.

Paddle Sober And Smart

Never mix alcohol and paddling. Coast Guard and state BUI (boating under the influence) laws apply to all vessels. This includes canoes, kayaks, SUPs and rafts.

Outfitting and accessories

The Pelican 15.5 is outfitted like a classic canoe, with molded bench seats. Creature comforts include drink and fishing rod holders. Carry handles at either end of the canoe make it easier to haul the 81-pound Pelican 15.5 from a vehicle or boathouse to the water’s edge for launching.

Replacement seats are available from the manufacturer, and though it seems unlikely that these durable, foam-filled molded plastic seats will break, some Pelican 15.5 owners have reported a need for replacement. The process of swapping in a new seat is as easy as removing and re-attaching a few nuts and bolts.

Opportunities for modifications

Adding padding and a backrest to the seat is a great modification that increases the comfort factor of the Pelican 15.5 canoe. These can be as simple as stadium seats, fastened to the molded plastic benches. If you’re an angler, you may wish to install items like a fish-finder and bait wells to your Pelican 15.5. Glued-in knee pads are a simple upgrade that make it more comfortable to safely paddle the Pelican 15.5 in whitewater.

How it compares

The Pelican International 15.5 canoe strikes a nice balance between an expedition-ready tripping canoe and a compact day paddler, with attributes and design features that cater to both niches. The third seat sets it apart from Pelican’s other canoes. This allows you to paddle tandem or solo, or with a passenger in the center.

three people paddle in a Pelican canoe — Photo: Courtesy Pelican

Where to buy the 15.5

You’ll find the Pelican 15.5 canoe for sale at many outlets in Canada and the United States. Searching “Pelican 15.5 canoe Canadian Tire” will reveal availability across Canada. It’s also available at Walmart, Home Hardware and Peavey Mart.

The Pelican 15.5 canoe is marketed as the Pelican 15.5 Dakota in the United States. Look to find deals at box stores like Academy Sports.

Pelican 15.5 pros and cons

Pros

Jack-of-all-trades canoe that meets the demands of a wide variety of users, including river runners, anglers, cottagers, families, day trippers and overnight campers
Handles well on lakes and rivers with up to class II rapids
Outfitting is basic and can be modified to increase comfort
RAM-X hull is ultra tough, and able to withstand impacts and bounce off rocks

Cons

Heavy at 81 pounds

Recreational canoe reviews

Coming soon

SEE ALL CANOE REVIEWS

Education: Get Some!

Take a paddling safety course from the American Canoe Association (ACA), your local paddling shop or outfitter, or other reputable source.
Take a boating safety course from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons® or your own state’s boating agency.
Take on-the-water skills training.

Recreational Kayak Review: Lifetime Wave Youth

Paddling Magazine Staff

December 7, 2021

You won’t find a better way to introduce youngsters to paddling than with the Lifetime Wave 60 Youth kayak. This lightweight sit-on-top recreational kayak is perfect for paddlers weighing less than 130 pounds. At 6’ long, the Wave 60 Youth is specifically designed to be easy to paddle for kids age 5 and up.

You might be wondering, what exactly is a Wave 60 kayak? A summary of Lifetime Wave Youth kayak reviews would say it is a durable, bargain-priced boat that would be an ideal addition to calm-water paddling outings with an entire family.

Kayak Reviews