After you line a canoe the first time around that usual portage, your watch and back will thank you for the discovery. Using guide lines to control the descent of a canoe through moving water is an age-old art that can provide a welcome alternative to portaging.
Think of lining rapids as the great compromise. Lining lets you avoid a rapid that is too shallow or tight and technical to paddle, without having to shoulder your load and hit the trail. When lining properly, you use ropes and the force of the current to steer your canoe safely down sets.
Once you’ve come to recognize its potential, you may find yourself lining rapids that you would normally have carried around.
How to line rapids in a canoe
Set up
The simple way to tie a bridle
Fold back eight feet of rope on the end of your line.
Tie a double overhand knot halfway up the folded section of rope so that you have a big ‘Y’.
Tie each of the short ends of the ‘Y’ to either side of the canoe’s seat, positioning the center knot under the canoe at the keel line.
With a bridle at both the bow and stern, and the load slightly rearranged so that the downstream end of your canoe is heavier, you will have a very stable setup.
The ideal rigging requires two 20-metre throw bags and a bridle consisting of a three-metre length of rope with a loop tied at the halfway point. Using a bowline, tie one end of a throw rope to the loop in bridle, slide the bridle under the hull and tie each end off inside the gunwales at a thwart or seat. The loop should be near the keel line and at least a metre from the stern of the canoe.
With this bridle set-up you can control the canoe from below the waterline. Though lining a canoe with the stern line attached to a grab loop near the deck is possible (not to mention common) a strong pull on the grab loop from an angle can flip the canoe (many readers are nodding knowingly right now). The bow rope can be attached to the grab loop of the canoe since it will only be used to control the canoe angle.
If you don’t trust yourself to re-pack throw bags after each use then use a fixed painter on the bow. It should be of large diameter (so it is easy to grip) and both buoyant and free of knots (to reduce the chances of it getting jammed between rocks). 1/4- to 1/2-inch braided floating rope works well.
The length of the lines is dependent on the river and personal preference. Shorter lines are easier to manage but may leave you grasping for a runaway canoe. Longer lines allow you to move the canoe further into the current but may result in tangles if you only use a fraction of their length. Thirty-to forty-foot lines are a good compromise.
Leading lines. | Feature photo: Johno Foster
Safety
Whenever rope and currents mix you need to be prepared. Both paddlers should have a knife handy in case the rope gets tangled. Leave any excess rope in the bag or in loose coils in your hand. You should be wearing a PFD and if you trip with a helmet there is no sense having it in the canoe and not on your head while you scramble over wet rocks.
Starting line
Push the canoe out into the current and let it float downstream until the stern rope becomes taut. Try not to let all the rope out. By pulling on the downstream rope while the upstream rope is taut, you will set an angle just as you would in a back ferry and the boat will ferry away from shore. To move the boat toward shore release the downstream rope and pull in on the upstream rope. The canoe’s angle will change and the current will push the canoe toward you.
By keeping pressure on the downstream end you can have the canoe ferrying as much as 45 degrees out into the current below you.
Adjust the angle until the canoe is lined up, then slowly walk downstream while keeping the ropes taut to control the angle and the canoe’s position.
Too many people risk broken ankles and capsized canoes by relying on luck and quick feet when lining. With this under-the-hull bridle set-up, lining can be less about speed and recovery and more about control and finesse.
Much like paddling rapids, lining is a mental game. Practising in light current with only a few obstacles present, you can learn with how the canoe interacts with the lines and the water. You need to work with the river rather than against it. The same can be said of lining with a partner—effective communication is essential.
To read more on the subtleties of this technique, check out Garrett Conover’s comprehensive book Beyond the Paddle and Bill Mason’s classic Path of the Paddle.
Mark Scriver is a Black Feather guide and the author of Canoe Camping, An Essential Guide. Johno Foster is a seasoned Black Feather guide who would rather paddle through most rapids but knows when to toe the party line.
This article was published in Issue 73 of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Whether you’re Inflatable paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, rafting or drift fishing, you need a place to keep some gear close and dry. It’s critical that, whether you are on an afternoon float or a weeklong trip certain items on your packing list, such as phones, key fobs, snacks, cash, or a box of flies, not only remain tucked away in a waterproof place but are always accessible when you need them.
There are plenty of options when it comes to dry bags, including roll top backpacks, duffels, and hard cases, however, when considering versatility, this article asserts there may be none more helpful than our old friend from the 80s, the fanny pack. Also known in its recent renaissance as the hip or waist pack, and initially a comeback kid in the modern festival scene, the fanny pack has infiltrated paddling, not to mention travel and leisure. On a board, it can be clipped below your life jacket for ever-present accessibility. For a short side hike, it can be slung over a shoulder. And with any watercraft, it can be tucked away under a bungee or in a hatch just like a small dry bag.
In this article, I’ve compiled a list of the top waterproof fanny packs in the industry and crash tested them in the gnarliest, wettest water sport of all—rafting. Read on to discover how each performed while field tested by a professional guide, what unique features stood out on each waist pack, and which specific water sport each pairs best with.
Everyone, even strong swimmers, needs to wear a life jacket at all times when on the water. It is extremely difficult to put a life jacket on once you fall into the water. Even a light wind can blow any paddlecraft away from you, faster than you can swim.
Always wear a USCG-approved Level 70 or Type III life jacket designed for paddling.
Best fanny pack overall
Patagonia Guidewater Hip Pack
Image: K.M. Collins
Patagonia Guidewater Specs
Capacity: 9 Liters
Rating: Submersible
Construction: Recycled nylon plain weave with a PU face coating and a TPU back coating
Waterproof, dustproof, and fully submersible—the Guidewater was intended for angling, but this hip pack’s ability to cross over into other water sports and everyday use is uncanny. Its zipper is identical to those manufactured for industry-leading dry suits as well as its seam seals and fabric.
The Guidewater is ergonomic by design, sitting comfortably on the hip. It offers an optional shoulder strap to distribute weight and two external, adjustable loops at the bottom of the pack designed to hold a breakdown fishing rod. These loops double as external storage for your rain jacket or outerwear as you swap layers throughout the day.
In testing, I used this pack as my day bag on the Grand Ronde in eastern Oregon. Just what is a guide such as myself carrying in a day bag? A map, chapstick, emergency toilet paper, wag-bag, mobile phone, Garmin InReach, speaker, electronic cables, backup battery and more. In addition, I am opening and closing my pack innumerable times while on the water each day. The ease of a zipper, such as on the Guidewater versus a snap closure wass a universe apart. And for good measure, I routinely submerged this waist pack throughout each day.
Reasons to buy
Just about everything proof
Made from recycled materials
The company’s well-known “Ironclad Guarantee” on repairs and replacements
Consider another if
Cost is factor
You’re seeking a more compact storage size
Bottom Line
The Guidewater submersible hip pack has the backing of a trusted legacy outdoor brand and can keep all your goodies dry for days on end.
Considered a lightweight waist pack, the Overkill by Atoll was created with a blend of durability, style and thoughtful design. You can even choose from five colors: army green, black, heather grey, navy or safety orange.
Atoll’s intent of this pack is for use on an inflatable paddleboard. It stows under deck bungees without taking up too much room among the rest of your strapped-down gear. You can clip it around your waist when carrying your board to avoid extra trips or awkward juggling. And, if it fits below your style life jacket, you can keep it on your person for your entire outing.
I also found the Overkill to be the perfect auxiliary first aid kit. For many commercial whitewater companies, a major medical kit stays on the sweep boat at all times, and a secondary med kit is created in a fanny pack, which can accompany guides and guests on a hike or travel with the boats taking off ahead of the group to secure camp. I stashed gauze, bandages, and other items which would be rendered useless if damp or soggy in the pack, and left it in the footwell of my boat for three days while intermittently pulling out supplies every now and then. At take-out everything was just as dry as at the put-in. Part of the reason this pack is so dry is that it also utilizes the same zipper used for dry suits
My only regret with the Overkill was not snagging it in the safety orange.
Reasons to buy
Low cost compared to similarly designed packs
Balances storage capacity and compactness
Resistant to oil and grease as well as abrasions, scuffs and scratches
TPU construction means no PVC smell
Consider another if
A brand’s time established in the outdoor market is a major factor in your decision
Bottom line
Atoll is a paddleboard company and they’ve built a paddleboarding-specific waterproof waist pack that fits the bill and is also capable for other users.
Carry A Waterproof VHF Radio, Use Your Phone Only As A Backup
A handheld VHF marine band radio allows you to communicate with the Coast Guard and other boat traffic. Use Channel 16 only for hailing and emergencies. The radio should be waterproof, because it is virtually certain to get wet.
A cell phone, even if in a waterproof case or sealable bag, might not work, so don’t rely on it as the primary means of emergency communication.
Easiest to access waist pack
Yeti Sidekick Dry
Image: Joe Potoczak
Yeti Sidekick Dry Specs
Capacity: 1 Liter
Rating: Submersible
Construction: Dryhide shell
Price: $45.00 (Sideclick waistband sold separately)
Yeti’s Sidekick case is a Transformer, and I’m obsessed with its multiple uses. Not only can this fully waterproof storage compartment be used during any water-based activity, it can be attached to a cooler or fixed to a raft by the velcro bits on the back. In addition, the Sideclick strap is available separately, which turns it into a proper waist pack. In fact, because of the webbing slots on the back of the Sidekick, you can use any strap you prefer or have at your disposal attach it to.
This is a truly multi-use gear case like no other. The Sidekick is just at home on a paddleboard or raft as it is strapped to a bike or on a cooler at a concert.
Best of all, the magnetic waterproof closure makes access to contents easier than any other product on this list.
Reasons to buy
Slim design
Magnet closures for handy ease of access
A “Transformer” that combines with other outdoor gear and Yeti products
Consider another if
You foresee issues using the magnetic seal instead of a zipper closure
Bottom Line
The Yeti Sidekick is made to handle class V, though it also seamlessly integrates into the everyday river life.
The best reason to purchase the waterproof fanny pack by AiRunTech is the price point. If you have a tight budget and you need a waterproof case for limited items to get you through one or two trips, this product will get the job done.
One consideration is that the AiRunTech is a hybrid between a fanny pack and a phone pouch, though it doesn’t have a clear window for phone photography. It has three Ziploc-like, press closures to access anything inside. To secure your valuables, paddlers will need to be sure all three closures are sealed, and you should test-submerge the pouch before use.
Reasons to buy
It is incredibly affordable for limited use or a last-minute solution
Consider another if
You want a durable waist pack for many uses or multiple seasons
You have the means to upgrade to another option
You want to ensure you have enough storage capacity for your size phone and other items
Bottom Line
The AiRunTech Waterproof fanny pack will get the job done for a few bucks in a pinch.
Wear The Appropriate Leash When Stand Up Paddleboarding
Always wear a leash on open bodies of water like lakes, bays, and oceans. Due to the risk of snags and entrapment, leashes should only be worn on rivers if they include a quick release attached to your life jacket.
Waterproof fanny pack buying advice
The number one priority paddlers are looking for in a waterproof pack is that it is in fact going to keep your gear dry. The last thing you want is to spend money on a bag, for it to fall of your paddleboard or raft and later open it up to find a stew of your belongings. Waterproof is a tricky word to throw around when it comes to interior dryness, and what you are often looking for that is submersible. This usually translates to a dry bag or pack with a rating of IP67 or IP68. This means the pack can be submerged under a meter of water for 30 minutes or more.
Beyond this, you probably want a waist pack that is not only submersible but fits and is comfortable to wear. If you can try packs on before buying this is the best way to find out.
You also want a pack that will not only fit your waist, but store well on your boat or board. I larger capacity pack will hold more gear but is both bulky on you and under the bungees of a paddleboard. While a slim pack will be low profile but be more scarce on space when trying to cram it with snacks, phone and safety gear. Take stock of what you plan to carry and what this looks like with the capacity of various packs.
Lastly, waterproof fanny packs come with multiple types of closures. Specialty zippers are the most commonly used because they offer a low profile and closure that is considered submersible. Zippers can be tough to open and close however, and need to be maintained with a lubricant over time. Yeti’s magnetic closure is unique and enjoyed by many users. Budget packs may have a press-to-seal zipper like many may be familiar with from sandwich bags.
How we tested
The fanny packs in this article were first selected through researching what products were widely available on the market. Next, the waterproof fanny packs selected were tested, on-the-job, by the author, a professional guide, while on a four-day trip down the Grand Ronde River for Little Creek Outfitters. Packs were filled with critical gear like first aid supplies, maps, phones and satellite messengers, then put to work. All packs kept these items dry for up to three hours of intermittent submersion in the chaotic currents of the Grand Ronde. The author found that because all waterproof fanny packs were indeed waterproof as advertised, evaluation came down to unique product features and versatility in multiple sports and leisure activities.
Why trust us
K.M. Collins has been writing about rivers for over a decade and paddling them for longer. She has guided on the Lower Wild and Scenic Rogue, Owyhee, Deschutes and Grand Ronde with some of the most well-respected companies on the West Coast, and has assisted in teaching river courses. Collins is meticulous about rigging her paddling crafts with the best possible gear for her kit, because as a guide, she’s learned the last thing you want is for your gear to fail you when you need it most.
“It’s about giving somebody the same experience that I get to experience on the river,” says Naina Adhikari (fourth from right). | Feature photo: Harendra S. Rawat
In April 2023, eight women launched their kayaks into the icy waters of the Himalayan Ganga River. Led by India’s top female kayaker, Naina Adhikari, it was the first all-female kayaking expedition of the river. Over three nights and countless rapids, a movement was born: Ganga Girls.
Inside India’s first all-female kayaking revolution
Three years prior, I received an Instagram message from Adhikari. I knew of her as “that kayaker girl from India,” but we had never met. She had responded to a post I made about sexism in the whitewater industry, saying it resonated deeply.
While I’d faced inequality—being paid half as much as male champions at freestyle competitions—Adhikari’s experiences were far more harrowing. “In India, if I’m on an expedition, I have to worry if anybody is going to misbehave with me because they’re drunk… I have to worry if there is a man who is trying to hit me because he’s frustrated from a raft trip.”
Until speaking with Adhikari, I didn’t realize how privileged I was to have a full women’s class to compete with. Or how lucky I was to kayak with women and to feel safe with my male kayaking partners. I decided I wanted to meet her and learn her story.
“It’s about giving somebody the same experience that I get to experience on the river,” says Naina Adhikari (fourth from right). | Feature photo: Harendra S. Rawat
In 2022, NRS sponsored Adhikari to go kayaking in Chile, making her the first female Indian whitewater kayaker to go on an international kayaking trip. I remember looking behind me after the last rapid of our first run on the Futaleufú River. Adhikari followed my friend, Hailey, and me down the rapids with tears streaming down her face. When I asked what was wrong, she erupted with a giant grin: “I’ve never followed women down a river before.”
Adhikari learned to kayak at 13 but was one of the only female kayakers in all of India, so she paddled with men. With a smaller frame, she questioned her abilities and strength on the water. But given the chance to paddle with women—to watch bodies like hers move through rapids—Adhikari thrived.
“When there is female representation, then we think if she can, I can too,” Adhikari says.
While in Chile, we volunteered with Chicas al Agua, an organization providing free kayak instruction and environmental education to local girls, with an all-female coaching staff. In a culture that typically celebrates machismo, learning from women is a big deal.
With the chance to not only paddle with other women for the first time, but also mentor them, Adhikari’s world expanded.
“When I was in Chile, I was not worried about anything else, I was just enjoying kayaking every day. I got this sense of belongingness that, wow, this is home. Being around your kind of people who understand you and who understand the challenges,” she says.
Back in India, Adhikari couldn’t shake that feeling. She wanted a crew—so she built one. She gathered a group of women, helped some of them learn how to kayak, and inspired others to do the same. In April of 2023, they launched the very first all-female expedition of the Ganga River.
“What I’m trying to create is a healthy environment,” said Adhikari. By organizing an all-female trip in a country where it is almost unheard of for women to participate in or lead expeditions, Adhikari is trying to break free from the cultural norms.
“In our society, it’s already very hard being out there and doing what you want as a woman,” she explains.
For most of the women, the two Ganga Girls expeditions were their first multi-day kayaking trips. Adhikari said the expeditions gave the women the confidence to go beyond traditional gender roles. Some of them now hold jobs, some are river guides, and all have continued kayaking.
Adhikari’s vision for the future of Ganga Girls goes far beyond simply teaching women to kayak. Her ultimate goal is to form an NGO that introduces survivors of human trafficking to the river.
“This is something that gives you so much self-confidence because if you can control your boat in the river, then you can also control your life outside. You can do what you want to do,” says Adhikari.
A film about Naina Adhikari and the Ganga Girls is touring in the 2025 Paddling Film Festival. Find a screening near you at paddlingfilmfestival.com.
This article was published in Issue 73 of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
“It’s about giving somebody the same experience that I get to experience on the river,” says Naina Adhikari (fourth from right). | Feature photo: Harendra S. Rawat
Gear salvaged in the aftermath of the Tracy Arm tsunami. Image courtesy Billy White.
On day 78 of kayaking the Inside Passage, a trio of sea kayak guides and instructors woke at 5:45 in the morning to a rush of water that missed their tent by inches.
“I think when a lot of people think of a tsunami they think of a rogue wave,” explained Billy White, sea kayak guide and expedition member. “But this was almost like a flash flood, as if the ocean just moved up several feet and then came at you all at once.”
Diagram of the Tracy Arm landslide depicting both the origin of the tsunami at the South Sawyer Glacier and Harbor Island where the kayakers were camped. Image: USGS | Landslide Hazards Program
White along with friends Sasha Calvey and Nick Heilgeist began their journey up the Inside Passage, a classic sea kayaking route that runs roughly from Seattle, Washington to Skagway, Alaska, on May 24, 2025 from Washington’s San Juan Islands. On the morning of August 10, the team was camped on Harbor Island in Holkham Bay at the mouth of Tracy Arm, a long fjord with an entrance about 74 kilometres (46 miles) from Juneau, when a tsunami triggered by a landslide at the end of Tracy Arm swept through their camp.
Tracy Arm Tsunami sweeps through expedition kayakers’ camp
“I got woken up by my friend Sasha saying ‘get out of the tent’. And I’m half asleep. I stumble out of the tent and there’s a wall of water that’s rushing by,” shared White. “[The wave] had washed away all of our boats, our gear and our tarp.”
A landslide above the South Sawyer Glacier had raced down the steep mountain slopes into Tracy Arm on Sunday August 10 at 5:26 in the morning. The Landslide Hazards Program reported that preliminary interpretations of photos kayakers took indicate that the resulting tsunami reached heights of nearly 30 metres (100 feet) at Sawyer Island, a small island deep in the fjord, and the resulting tsunami was recorded on a coastal tide gauge in Juneau at 36 centimetres (14 inches).
Landslides that trigger tsunamis in Alaska’s fjords are relatively common, according to the Landslide Hazards Program, with the especially notable Lituya Bay landslide in 1958 creating a tsunami with a maximum height above sea level on shore of 530 metres (approximately 1740 feet).
Surviving a backcountry tsunami
White estimated that the group had camped in the woods 20-25 vertical feet (approximately six to eight metres) above the high tide line and their gear was stored 10-15 vertical feet (approximately 3-4.5 metres) above the high tide line at the mouth of the forest. The kayaker’s account and photos indicate that the wave missed their tent by inches, and White expressed relief that the group chose to camp in the woods rather than on the beach near their gear.
Seaweed left just outside the kayakers’ tent by the wave. Image courtesy Billy White.
“I’m really glad we went back in the woods,” said White. “We definitely would’ve died if we hadn’t.”
Luckily, Heilgeist’s kayak was used as an anchor for their tarp and some of the group’s gear got caught in the kayak, including White’s marine radio. The team found Heilgeist’s boat about four feet up in a tree and balancing on a rock. White also shared that had the team not recovered the radio, they always keep the Garmin with them in the tent, so they could’ve gotten out a text for assistance if needed.
“My boat was down on the cliffs by the beach so we were able to run and grab it,” said White. “Unfortunately Sasha’s was out in a giant whirlpool.”
After collecting their scattered gear, the team brought it all to the forest to take stock of what had happened. At this point, they didn’t know they’d experienced a tsunami, and didn’t know if another wave could be coming.
After the Tracy Arm tsunami
“We placed a pan pan call out into the void on a marine radio and we were really lucky that there was a boat about three nautical miles away and they were able to come pick us up,” said White.
The team was rescued by The Blackwood, a yacht that does trips around Alaska.
“It was a very surreal experience because we’d just been camping for 78 days and then we get picked up by this gorgeous charter yacht with a chef…it was very disorienting,” White shared. “It was very impressive, the rescue, because at that point the water was still quite turbulent… I would say six to seven knots of current forming these giant whirlpools and so they sent their chase boat through those whirlpools to come grab us.”
Gear salvaged in the aftermath of the Tracy Arm tsunami. Feature image courtesy Billy White.
While White and Heilgeist’s boats were damaged but recovered, Calvey wasn’t so lucky – the team saw her boat circulating in a whirlpool shortly before it vanished.
“We lost Sasha’s boat and then all of us… I lost a bunch of gear and a lot of our group gear is gone, so that’s definitely the hardest thing.” White explained. “All being guides, we use our gear for our livelihood.”
Overall, White reflected that the incident emphasized the importance of training for the worst case scenario, practicing rescues, and knowing radio protocols.
“Make sure you know how to operate your radio and how to place an emergency call,” said White, adding that they would consider sleeping with their radio in the future. “That would probably be my biggest takeaway. Know what to do when disaster strikes. That’s why we practice our rescues… make sure you have that drilled into your head because when it actually happens it might be 5:45 in the morning stumbling out of your sleeping bag.”
Despite an unfortunate early end to their Inside Passage expedition, the team hopes to return and complete the final leg of their journey beginning at Tracy Arm and heading to Glacier Bay in the future. Find their GoFundMe to offset the cost of new gear here.
Just passing through. | Feature photo: Kaydi Pyette
As dozens of folksy sayings attest, you can make your own weather forecast from easy atmospheric and environmental observations. You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
A paddler’s guide to predicting the weather
“Wind from the east, weather a beast, wind from the west, weather is best.”
Changes in wind direction hint at coming weather. A counter-clockwise shift in wind direction (“backing” in mariner parlance) predicts approaching low pressure with its attendant low clouds, strong winds and miserable weather. A clockwise shift in wind direction (known as “veering”) is a sure sign of approaching high pressure, with fewer clouds, lighter winds and pleasant weather. Wind typically backs from west to east and veers from east to west.
Just passing through. | Feature photo: Kaydi Pyette
“Mackerel sky and mares’ tails make tall ships carry low sails.”
Mottled, fish-scale altocumulus clouds and cirrus streamers indicate moisture and unstable air—and rain within 24 hours.
“When sounds travel far and wide, a stormy day will betide.”
Humid air is better at transmitting sound waves.
“If the moon has a halo around, we’ll soon tread on deluged ground.”
A halo around the moon or sun is caused by ice crystals in high cirrus clouds, which form as a cirrus cloud flattens ahead of a warm front. A halo is often the first sign a low-pressure system is approaching, and that rain is 18 to 36 hours away.
“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.”
In the evening, red clouds above and to the east mean the sun is shining through clear skies in the west—the direction of approaching weather. Conversely, red sky at sunrise means clearing in the east but unsettled weather approaching in the west—often a sign storms will linger.
“When smoke descends, good weather ends.”
Your campfire provides a reasonable forecaster for the next 24 hours. A low-pressure system approaching makes smoke absorb moisture in the air and sink, enveloping your campsite. Smoke rises in a high-pressure system.
“When leaves show their undersides, be very sure rain betides.”
Rising humidity and shifting winds can cause tree leaves to flip before a storm, revealing their paler undersides. Some flowers may close to protect their pollen, a subtle sign of nature preparing for rough weather.
Birds fly lower before storms because the insects they feed on stay close to the ground in low-pressure, humid air. High-flying birds usually signal good weather.
“If your muscles all ache and itch, the weather fair will make a switch.”
Aches and pains can worsen as barometric pressure drops—a subtle but common sign of a coming weather change.
This article was published in Issue 73 of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Just passing through. | Feature photo: Kaydi Pyette
As a sea kayak guide, I rarely see a group out for a day or multi-day trip without at least one Delta kayak in the mix. Why? They’re darn good boats. Delta is a Canadian, paddler-owned company that sets out to do one thing well: create quality touring kayaks. They were early adopters of thermoforming, and chose to focus exclusively on this novel process rather than dabbling in composites or rotomolding. Delta has been building recreational and touring kayaks in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, since 2006.
Thermoformed kayaks balance durability and weight at a reasonable cost. Delta’s mastery of the thermoforming process—which involves heating sheets of durable ABS/acrylic laminate and vacuum-forming them into the kayak molds—shows in their beautifully finished and lightweight kayaks. Delta’s proprietary SolarKote acrylic outer layer gives their kayaks a gleaming, glossy finish and superb UV resistance, while the robust ABS inner layer is nearly indestructible.
Inside the hull, Delta kayaks are renowned for their high storage capacity and exceptionally comfortable seating systems. These systems allow paddlers to adjust themselves up, down, forward, backward and nearly every other configuration you can think of. Cushiony foam is thoughtfully laid out to drain and ventilate well, great for long days in the cockpit. With high volumes and large openings, storage space is never an issue in Delta hatches.
Delta’s lineup includes everything in the touring range, from 10-foot day tourers to 17-foot expedition kayaks. If you’re looking for a lightweight single or tandem touring kayak, there’s likely a Delta that’s a great match for you.
This article will run through a few of our favorite Delta models and help you find your next kayak with buying advice and field-tested reviews.
“The shortest and lightest of Delta’s touring kayaks at 14 feet and just 45 pounds, it’s positioned as the easiest to own for paddlers balancing space, weight and cost. If you are looking for a compact touring kayak that can handle diverse waters and won’t break the bank, the Delta 14 is a superb solution at an exceptional value.”[ Read full review ]
“Delta’s designers finessed two cockpits into the Traverse’s 17-and-a-half feet—a length more typical of solo sea kayaks than tandems. As veterans of tandem bicycles and boats know (and the uninitiated soon discover), cockpit proximity is one of the finer points of double design. Too close together and unsynchronized paddle strokes amount to a jousting match. The 17.5 T, we are relieved to report, gets paddler positioning just right.”[ Read full review ]
Delta Kayaks 17
The 17 By Delta Kayaks. | Photo: Virginia Marshall
“Whether you’re starting out on your journey or you’re a seasoned paddler, larger folks looking for a lightweight touring kayak will appreciate Delta’s commitment to bending plastics. With its sophisticated looks, affordable price tag and hardwearing construction, the thermoformed 17 is built for the long haul. From the top down, the 17’s deck illustrates Delta’s expertise when it comes to shaping plastic sheets. Molded-in bungee clasps help secure the new press-lock hatch covers—even easier to use than previous iterations thanks to their single gasket seal—and recessed grooves for bungees keep the deck super sleek and snag-free…”[ Read full review ]
“Stable and well behaved, the 12S embodies Delta’s West Coast touring design ethos—beginner-friendly, efficient and capable of hauling all your gear—scaled down in a compact package. The multi-chine, V-shaped hull and full, flared bow confidently handle bumpy conditions, while offering satisfying—if not speedy—cruising capabilities on calmer waters.”[ Read full review ]
Shopping for a used Delta kayak?
Buying a used kayak is an excellent way to get the most out of your budget. Delta’s timeless touring designs and robust construction make shopping for a used Delta a great option. Look for secondhand Delta kayaks on used marketplaces like Craigslist, Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace, but be aware that these popular boats often sell quickly. Setting up an email alert for the keywords “Delta Kayak” notifies you as soon as one becomes available.
Searching for retired demos or rentals is another way to get your hands on a used Delta. If an outfitter near you rents Delta kayaks, chances are they will be replenishing their fleet as the kayaks get older—ask if they are planning to do so at the end of the season. Renting a boat is also a great way to test how it fits and performs. If the fit is almost there, Delta sells padding kits that are compatible with all of their seating systems.
Delta’s thermoform plastic construction is UV-, abrasion- and impact-resistant, and nearly maintenance-free, but be sure to thoroughly inspect any used boat before buying. Superficial scratches are not an issue, but repairs may be needed for deeper gouges into the inner material. Check the deck (top) and hull (bottom) for cracks and deformities (which will make the kayak paddle less efficiently). Also inspect the bulkheads, hatches, skeg or rudder (if applicable) and outfitting for signs of excessive wear or damage.
For more tips on what to look for when selecting a used kayak, read our article How To Buy A Used Kayak.
Photo: Courtesy Delta Kayaks
Delta Kayaks buying advice
Delta’s construction method sets these kayaks apart from many other touring kayaks. The thermoforming process involves heating sheets of ABS plastic laminate and vacuum-forming them into the kayak mold. The deck and hull are molded separately, then joined together to form the finished kayak.
The outer layer of Delta’s proprietary plastic laminate is protective “Solarkote” acrylic, which provides resistance to abrasions and harmful UV rays. A key advantage of thermoform construction is that it creates a lighter and sleeker kayak than traditional rotomolded plastic, but more resilient to scratches and impacts than a fiberglass layup.
Recessed deck fittings and flush-mounted hatches add to Delta kayaks’ sleek aesthetic. In addition to looking sharp, these features reduce the chances of damaging the kayak during transport and make it easier to re-enter the kayak from the water. Subtle details like this also indicate that the company has put lots of thought and feedback from paddlers into their designs.
Although Delta focuses exclusively on touring kayaks, there are many options within their lineup to suit a wide variety of paddlers. Delta kayaks are divided into four categories: Adventure Rec, Light Touring, Touring and Performance Touring.
Adventure rec
Adventure Rec are the shortest kayaks, aimed at beginner and casual kayakers. With 10-foot and 12-foot options available, the Delta AR is the company’s recreational touring model. These boats have a roomy cockpit for easy entry and exit and a wide, catamaran-style hull at the stern for lots of stability.
Premium outfitting, bulkheads for safety and sealed hatches for watertight storage make the Delta AR a solid step up from other entry-level recreational kayaks. Read a full review of the Delta AR here.
Light touring
Light Touring kayaks are the next step in Delta’s progression. These include the Delta 12S and Delta 12.10. Light touring kayaks are perfect for paddlers who want a boat that is the size of a recreational kayak, but performs more like a sea kayak. These boats balance nimble handling and good glide with no more length than is necessary.
This makes the kayak easier to turn on the water and saves space wherever it is stored. Light Touring kayaks have features found on longer sea kayaks, like decklines and thigh braces, delivered in a space-efficient package.
Touring
Delta’s Touring category moves into traditional sea kayak territory. The Delta 14, 15.5 GT and 17.5 (Tandem) kayaks fall under this category. The longer length and higher volume of these boats makes them best suited for coastal paddling or touring on large lakes. They feature a smaller cockpit, where the paddler’s thighs engage with the hull for superior boat control.
The watertight bulkheads and hatches have ample space for all the gear needed on overnight trips. There are options for rudders or skegs in the Touring category.
Performance touring
Photo: Courtesy Delta Kayaks
Performance Touring kayaks get a little longer and are equipped to handle whatever conditions you may encounter on the open coast. These sea kayaks—which include the Delta 15S, 16 and 17—offer top of the line performance and ample storage capacity for intermediate and advanced paddlers planning extended trips. Like all Delta kayaks, they use thermoform construction for a great blend of durability and light weight.
Just like any kayak you are considering, it is crucial to “try before you buy.” Head to your local paddling shop and chat with one of the staff there—they know boats. Describe your paddling goals, and take the kayak out for a spin to make sure it fits and performs as expected.
Still wondering if Delta kayaks are right for you? Here are answers to some of the most common online questions about Delta kayaks.
Are Delta kayaks good?
For someone looking for a durable yet lightweight touring kayak, Delta kayaks are a good option. At mid-range prices, they won’t break the bank. Delta also has a reputation for comfortable kayaks with customizable seating options. The best way to know if a Delta kayak is a good fit for you is to try it out. For further comfort, additional padding can be purchased specifically for Delta’s seating system to really make it your own.
Where are Delta kayaks made?
They’re available across North America, so where are Delta kayaks manufactured? Delta kayaks are made in British Columbia, at Delta’s Maple Ridge headquarters just outside of Vancouver.
Delta kayaks warranty
All new Delta kayaks come with a 3-year limited warranty; be sure to register your kayak when you buy it. This warranty covers any defects from faulty materials or workmanship.
Delta kayak dealers
Delta kayak dealers can be found in nearly every province and state. Use Delta’s dealer locator to find one near you.
Does REI sell Delta kayaks?
REI sells Delta Kayaks and is an authorized dealer. Each store will have a different inventory. Delta notes on their website that although the products may not appear on the REI site inventory, they are carrying Delta kayaks and accessories.
Delta kayaks cost
How much are Delta kayaks? Delta kayak prices vary depending on the model, but range from $995 USD / $1,095 CAD to $2,750 USD / $3,000 CAD. Prices can also vary based on shipping costs and location.
How much is a Delta kayak in comparison to other similar boats? Delta kayaks are priced mid-range: less expensive than fiberglass or composite kayaks, but more pricey than most polyethylene boats.
Delta kayak material
What is a Delta kayak made of? At first glance, the glossy coat and two-tone colorway looks like fiberglass, but Delta kayaks are made with a patented blend of ABS and acrylic plastics. Sheets of this laminate material are heated and vacuum-formed into molds made with computer-assisted design (CAD) programs.
The result is a durable, attractive and lightweight kayak designed with the assistance of cutting-edge tech for machine precision.
Compare Delta Kayaks
Eddyline vs Delta kayaks
Like Delta, Eddyline kayaks are made exclusively from thermoformed plastic. Eddyline calls their material Carbonlite, which produces kayaks with a similar balance of durability and light weight to Delta kayaks. Where Delta kayaks are manufactured near Vancouver, British Columbia, Eddyline builds their boats in Burlington, Washington.
Delta produces an extensive range of rec touring and touring-specific boats, while Eddyline offers a line of angler-dedicated sit-on-top kayaks along with their touring and recreational options. Both companies produce top-of-the-line thermoform kayaks; if you’re seeking a good variety of sit-on-top and sit-inside recreational kayaks, or a thermoform fishing kayak, look to Eddyline.
If you want a wider selection of full-size touring kayaks, choose Delta.
Boreal vs Delta kayaks
Boreal Design kayaks are ubiquitous among rental fleets across North America. They have a boat for everybody, with recreational, touring and expedition kayaks. Boreal Design produces their kayaks overseas, with polyethylene and thermoformed plastic kayaks made in Shanghai and composite kayaks built in Estonia.
They offer a massive catalogue of kayaks ranging from 12-foot recreational kayaks to 21-foot tandems. Comparing Delta Kayaks to Boreal Design, Delta offers a smaller range of touring-focused models, exclusively made with thermoformed ABS. Choose Boreal Design if you want a wider variety of touring designs and materials.
If you prefer the lightweight, affordable durability of thermoform construction, you can’t beat Delta kayaks.
Delta vs Seaward kayaks
Both Delta kayaks and Seaward kayaks are designed and manufactured in British Columbia. Seaward has been building quality touring and expedition kayaks since 1986, the early days of recreational sea kayaking. They specialize in fiberglass and Kevlar composite kayaks.
Seaward’s lightweight, high-capacity composite kayaks land at a higher price point than Delta’s thermoformed plastic kayaks. In terms of design, Seaward offers a more extensive touring and tandem lineup, while Delta makes many more boats less than 16 feet, suitable for day touring and recreational paddling.
If you are an avid paddling enthusiast ready to make the investment in a quality composite kayak, Seaward offers many fine choices. Choose Delta kayaks if your paddling budget is a bit tighter, or if you are a more casual recreational paddler.
Photo: Courtesy Delta Kayaks
Delta kayak reviews
Remember, the first step in choosing a kayak is considering the type of paddling you aspire to do. Reading expert reviews will allow you to evaluate how each kayak handles and how it performs for the intended paddler and conditions.
Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. | Feature photo: Kiliii Yuyan
In the spring of 1994, a friend wanted a ride to buy a used pickup. We left the remote camp where we ran outdoor education programs and drove to a remote warehouse near the Molalla River. Three guys came out. One was selling the truck. Then he introduced his co-workers, saying, “We are Lightning Paddles.”
I’d been using one of their paddles since I started kayaking six years before. I hadn’t realized the “Colton, OR” printed on the blade was just a few miles from where I worked.
The Pacific Northwest’s once-thriving paddlesports manufacturing industry is vanishing
Lightning Paddles, of course, is gone. So is Necky, which made sea and whitewater kayaks on Vancouver Island before being bought out by Johnson Outdoors. Pygmy Kayaks in Port Townsend, a legendary maker of stitch-and-glue kayaks, shut down during the pandemic. Saltwood Paddles—once five miles from my front door—is no more. Current Designs, started in the ‘70s on Vancouver Island by Brian Henry, was sold in 1999 to Wenonah Canoes, which moved the operation to Wisconsin. It was recently sold again. Pacific Water Sports closed in 2003.
The latest disappearance is Seaward Kayaks, the last manufacturer of touring kayaks on Vancouver Island, which shut down its Chemainus operation in the summer of 2024 after almost 40 years in business.
Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. | Feature photo: Kiliii Yuyan
Even the ones that survive have moved. Werner Paddles merged with Jackson Kayak and is moving operations from Sultan, Washington, to Tennessee. Eddyline Kayaks left Anacortes, Washington, for Siloam Springs, Arkansas. What’s left of Pacific Northwest paddlesports manufacturing is slim: Kokatat in Arcata, Sterling Kayaks in Bellingham, Delta Kayaks in British Columbia, and Immersion Research in Hood River.
There is much to both lament and celebrate about the flight of paddling manufacturing from the Northwest. I certainly don’t begrudge Pygmy’s John Lockwood, Eddyline’s Tom Derrer, or Current Designs’ Brian Henry their well-earned retirements. And one community’s loss is another’s gain. I’m sure locals were excited in Siloam Springs and Sparta, Tennessee, when Eddyline and Werner started production there.
Of course, companies close, move and merge all the time, from the mergers of Mercedes-Benz-Chrysler to Facebook-WhatsApp and Burlington Northern-Santa Fe. Mergers aren’t just for railroads, car companies or Mark Zuckerberg.
Still, I want my local paddling industry to thrive.
Knowing your gear was made nearby, by hands you’ve shaken, creates connections that tie you to a place.
The loss of local manufacturing is about three overlapping trends: demographics, culture and how we make and buy things. Time waits for nobody. Many shutdowns, mergers and moves happen when a founder retires. Lockwood, Henry, Derrer, Pacific Water Sports’ Lee Moyer, and Bob Collmer of Lightning are all baby boomers. They started their companies in the first golden age of sea kayaking in the 1970s and ‘80s, making handcrafted products during the rapid expansion of kayaking and the outdoor adventure business. With new leadership, ties to place and business models evolve.
And paddling has changed. Seaward made glass touring boats. Pygmy’s kits were for builders. Both require combinations of money, space to store and build, and a hankering for trips that take days or weeks. Much ink, including my own, has been spilled analyzing the evolution of how we paddle (paddlingmag.com/0180). While overall participation in paddling is up, more paddlers today are day trippers. The number of outdoor enthusiasts getting outside for long trips is dropping, according to the Outdoor Industry Association, and with it, so goes the number of paddlers shopping for an expedition kayak.
Manufacturing has also shifted toward thermoform and plastic, which cost less but also yield smaller margins. Shared manufacturing—like at Confluence, which owns six paddlesports brands—helps cut costs. The “play the sea” trend—whitewater moves in surf and rock gardens—favors plastic boats. Packrafts are surging. Evolution requires a lot of resources for R&D, which is expensive and risky since you might spend a lot of time developing something new and innovative that might not sell (remember the Perception Mr. Clean?).
The third trend is one we’ve known about since the 1970s: manufacturing in North America has declined since the end of the post-WW2 boom in the late 1970s. Then came offshoring and the decline of high-paying manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and Canada. These days, it’s hard to tell what country a company is from when American Fords are made in Mexico, Canada and the U.S., and Japanese Toyotas are made in 26 countries, including 10 places in the U.S.
It’s the same story for many paddlesports brands.
Globalization has plenty of discontents, and I’m often one of them. It’s lowered prices and created scale—but it’s also stripped away some of what makes paddling culture rich and rooted. Knowing your gear was made nearby, by hands you’ve shaken, creates connections that tie you to a place.
And there’s more at stake than community. There’s power. Jobs that go elsewhere reduce our clout. As I wrote years ago in this magazine, the outdoor industry is an economic behemoth that should have a lot more influence than it does. In 2024, the U.S. outdoor industry was responsible for $1.2 trillion in economic output and five million jobs.
But many of those jobs are seasonal or low-paying. Think of your seasonal, itinerant paddling instructors, river shuttle drivers, ski lift operators and the various services we use on our adventures: food, gas and the motel on the way to the river. To build an outdoor economy that sustains us and gives us the clout to protect rivers and seas where we paddle, we need to design and make things. The good-paying jobs often aren’t in the service industry; they’re in designing and making stuff.
Good-paying manufacturing jobs are only part of the story. The other piece of the puzzle is keeping business HQs local. Product design, engineering, marketing, accounting and all the things that go into making a business work are also high-paying outdoor jobs. They’re lost when a company like Seaward shuts down, or they shrink or leave town when a small business becomes part of a larger one. Even if manufacturing has gone elsewhere, keeping a company’s headquarters in North America matters for our economic and political pull.
It’s easier to advocate for clean water when you have a trillion-dollar industry and good-paying jobs that depend on it.
Of course, it’s not all economics. Knowing the people who make the stuff you paddle with has a huge intangible value. At a local event, someone once asked about my paddle. I laughed and pointed to Richard, the designer, sitting right beside me. Those connections make paddling a community, not just a sport.
My next kayak is another story. Three of us need new kayak polo boats, which are handmade by two retired guys in Edmonton, Alberta, with no website. In addition to the kayaks came an invitation to a kayak polo tournament and the puzzle of how to get the kayaks back down to Portland.
Feels a lot like Lightning Paddles, circa 1994. Maybe they’ll also sell us a truck.
Neil Schulman’s first paddle was a Lightning, made in Colton, OR. His last purchase was a Saltwood Reggie, one of the last made in Portland.
This article was published in Issue 73 of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. | Feature photo: Kiliii Yuyan
Body cam footage from a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer shows a dramatic rescue of a kayaker clinging to his overturned and waterlogged kayak near Marathon in the Florida Keys.
The kayaker, Micheal Krevat, was spotted struggling in the water near the Spanish Harbor Bridge. Officer Shawn Turner quickly reached the scene in his patrol boat and initiated the rescue.
Kayaker rescue caught on body cam footage near Marathon, Florida
“Here, give me your hand. Give me your hand,” said Turner as he approached Krevat, who appeared to be struggling to keep his head above the water.
When reaching with his hand didn’t work, Turner was able to get a rope to Krevat and pull him and the swamped kayak to the patrol boat. With Krevat too exhausted to haul himself aboard, Turner moved Krevat to the back of the boat.
“I’ve been out here for like 20 minutes,” said Krevat.
FWC officer pulls struggling kayaker from the water in dramatic rescue caught on bodycam footage. Feature Image: CBS 12 News – WPEC | YouTube
Krevat asked if they could save the kayak and Turner assured him that he was more worried about Krevat himself than the kayak. Throughout the rescue, Turner remained calm and assuring and operated quickly in actions that likely saved Krevat’s life.
Turner helped to haul the struggling kayaker from the water and removed the rope wrapped around Krevat’s arm before securing his sinking kayak to the FWC boat. Turner also called to let authorities know Krevat was out of the water, then secured Krevat in a life jacket as he had not been wearing one. After, he emptied the sinking kayak and pulled it aboard.
“I was paddling water for 20, 30 minutes then I started praying to God, and then this guy shows up,” Krevat said.
Turner shared that as Krevat had drifted underneath the bridge, a bystander driving past saw him floating and called for help on his behalf, leading to Krevat’s swift rescue.
Rescued kayaker ultimately uninjured
While shaken and exhausted, Krevat was ultimately uninjured, but the near miss highlights the importance of wearing a life jacket when paddling, even when conditions appear calm.
Additionally, paddlers can come to the water prepared by carrying multiple ways to call for help in an emergency such as a marine radio, cell phone in a drybag, signalling mirror, flares, and/or a whistle. Carrying multiple ways to signal for help can both allow a paddler to make an initial call for help should disaster strike and later help first responders locate the scene of the incident more quickly. Equipping a kayak with float bags or choosing to paddle a kayak with bulkheads can also prevent a kayak from sinking upon capsize, leading to an overall safer ride.
Save your marriage or go kayaking? Bonus if you can do both. | Feature photo: Andrew Strain
Paddling used to be as primal a need as food or sleep. Now it fits into my life about as conveniently as polo or skydiving.
I fell in love with a woman who’s afraid of the ocean. The same thrills that drew me to kayaking in the first place—bobbing on open ocean swell in a tiny boat, navigating by the fleeting boom of waves on rock in a shroud of fog—scared the bejesus out of her.
Accepting this was my first lesson in the great compromise of marriage. Despite all we share in common, a handful of the things we most love will never be understood by the other.
A kayaker’s guide to saving your marriage
Our biggest argument ensued after I left for a kayaking expedition two weeks after our honeymoon. I didn’t see the problem. I mean, it’s not like you’re supposed to suddenly change everything you do just because you’re married, right?
Now that my wife and I have moved to the city and have two children, kayaking has reached a crisis point of arch-irrelevance. To the Inuit hunter, the kayak and paddle were his livelihood. For the modern This Is 40 dad who doesn’t happen to be a kayak guide or instructor, the mid-size hybrid and iPhone have taken its place. Pretending otherwise introduces a tension of trying to maintain a relationship with a competing reality. It’s like having an affair, being a mountaineer or becoming an Ironman triathlete. Trust me, I tried out that one (the triathlete, not the affair). Entire books have been written about the lives these pursuits have destroyed.
Save your marriage or go kayaking? Bonus if you can do both. | Feature photo: Andrew Strain
Money got tight and I sold my beautiful, British racing green expedition kayak to a middle-aged family man. Recently, I heard he was fighting to hide the boat from his wife in divorce proceedings. Letting go of that kayak strengthened my marriage, so I’m not entirely surprised to hear it worked the other way for him.
The kayaks I still have sit idly in the backyard, gathering tree resin and pigeon poop. Last year, I went almost the entire season without paddling. Then I discovered that a raccoon had completely chewed out my kayak’s front bulkhead and foam thigh braces.
That explains all the screeching I heard out the window at night, which sounded not unlike a chattery version of, “What are you doing spending so much time in that kayak?” And now there’s one lonely raccoon with foam stuck in its teeth who won’t be having any babies this spring—but at least I’m still getting laid.
If I did convince my wife to go kayaking, we’d need an armada worth several months’ mortgage payments. When did kayaking become so expensive? I can’t imagine justifying the purchase of even one more piece of gear. I’m as likely to buy a ticket to the moon.
Every time I go through the old kayak gear from my bachelor days, I thank God I bought it all when it still could. I hear a cash register ringing as I caress these carbon fiber and Gore-Tex artifacts. The Easter Island heads of my youth—monuments to the decadence of times past.
A select few of these items—despite their high potential resale value—have survived wave after wave of de-cluttering our tiny downtown house. Partly due to their totemic value, but also because, deep down, I am still a believer. Days spent on wilderness coastlines taught me who I am, the values that keep me going through the day-to-day.
Like the raccoon sleeping away the long winter in my kayak, munching on its insides, my paddling self is merely hibernating. Dreams of the open ocean still gnaw at my bones.
Since first writing this piece in 2014, Tim Shuff has moved closer to the water with his family and is back to paddling regularly.
This article was published in Issue 73 of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Save your marriage or go kayaking? Bonus if you can do both. | Feature photo: Andrew Strain
Kayak angler David “D.J.” Jones Jr. nearly broke the internet when he posted this video of himself rescuing a young boy from the St. Louis River near his home in Duluth, Minnesota. The six-year-old had become separated from the family sailboat when it pulled anchor and was quickly swept away in the powerful currents.
Jones, who was fishing nearby, vividly recalls the boy’s cry for help. “It was just one of those gut-wrenching screams,” says Jones, 31, a behavioral therapist who frequently posts videos online of his trophy bow hunts and other outdoor pursuits.
“It was life-changing. You’ll never hear kids’ screams the same way after, even if they’re playing,” he says. “I looked up to my right and the boy was getting pulled from the Minnesota side over to the Wisconsin side of the river, out to the main current.” The river, a tributary of Lake Superior, is about 1,000 feet wide where Jones was fishing near Boy Scout Landing in Duluth.
In all his years hunting and fishing Jones had never experienced anything so adrenaline-charged as the moment he brought his sit-inside Pelican kayak alongside the child. He immediately began to reassure the boy.
“I looked at him and told him he was okay. I asked if he was strong. When he said yes, I said, ‘Well, I need you to be strong for a few more seconds.’”
Jones is an avid bow hunter who posts frequently about his outdoor adventures. D.J. Jones/Instagram
Jones knew it would take several minutes to get to shore, but the first order of business was stabilizing the child, both physically and emotionally. The six-year-old was wearing a properly fitted life jacket but was exhausted from swimming in the chilly water—Jones estimates the water temperature was in the low 60s—and the distress of watching the sailboat drift away with his father on board, powerless to help.
The boy’s tenacious grip threatened to tip Jones’s sit-inside kayak. If his weight pulled the cockpit rim down just two inches the cold river water would rush in, potentially swamping or even sinking the kayak. It was a precarious situation.
Wear A Life Jacket
Everyone, even strong swimmers, needs to wear a life jacket at all times when on the water. It is extremely difficult to put a life jacket on once you fall into the water. Even a light wind can blow any paddlecraft away from you, faster than you can swim.
Always wear a USCG-approved Level 70 or Type III life jacket designed for paddling.
A Day Like Any Other
Jones had been trolling minnows that summer day in 2022, with his point-of-view video rolling as usual. With a little luck he thought he might haul in a couple of walleye and share the footage on his Instagram channel, @djonesutdoors. But his first bite was something far bigger than any walleye. The quarry was so immovable he thought for a moment he’d hooked a snag, but something about its deliberate movement put that idea to rest. Anglers who have since seen the footage agree he was probably on a sturgeon, a massive prehistoric species recently reintroduced to the Lake Superior watershed.
“It would have been a big deal to catch a sturgeon from the kayak, especially for me because I’m a diehard largemouth bass fisherman from Florida,” Jones says. But all thoughts of fishing left his mind when he heard the boy’s scream. Jones had seen him swimming near the sailboat a few minutes before and thought something looked odd. Now he watched as the boat swept rapidly downstream, leaving the child all alone.
Jones stowed his rod and paddled as fast as he could to help. A regular at the gym, he’d recently incorporated rowing into his workouts—a decision he now credits with giving him the stamina to paddle against the current to reach the boy and then bring him about 300 yards to shore.
“I asked if he was strong. When he said yes, I said, ‘Well, I need you to be strong for a few more seconds.’” – D.J. Jones
“I don’t even like rowing,” he admits, “but something told me I should start doing it.”
It was awkward going with the child clinging to the right side of the kayak. Jones first tried paddling backwards, then switched to wide sweeping strokes, making slow but steady progress toward the shore and safety. As he paddled, Jones kept talking to the boy in a calm tone of voice, asking his age and telling him about his own son, who was also six years old.
If the footage Jones captured weren’t so real, it could have been a training video for how to conduct a river rescue. Jones reacted immediately, paddling to the victim as fast as he could without putting his own vessel at risk. But what stands out most in the video is the quiet confidence Jones projected when he arrived. With his Dad-mode fully engaged, the kayak angler was able to calm the child and bring him safely to shore. Residents of a nearby home wrapped the boy in dry towels, while other neighbors went in their motorboat to fetch the boy’s father from the stranded sailboat. Within about an hour they were reunited, the boy physically no worse for wear.
Something else Jones hauled out of the river. D.J. Jones/Instagram
For Jones, the decision to act was pure instinct, but incredibly, other boaters did not see the boy, or worse, chose not to intervene. Two powerboats had passed him earlier without stopping, Jones says. One nearly hit him before swerving away at the last second.
“There were people that saw him,” Jones says. “I can’t speak to why they didn’t help, but had I not been there, it might have been that kid’s obituary in the paper.”
Carry A Waterproof VHF Radio, Use Your Phone Only As A Backup
A handheld VHF marine band radio allows you to communicate with the Coast Guard and other boat traffic. Use Channel 16 only for hailing and emergencies. The radio should be waterproof, because it is virtually certain to get wet.
A cell phone, even if in a waterproof case or sealable bag, might not work, so don’t rely on it as the primary means of emergency communication.
Jones posted video of the rescue online to raise awareness of water safety, and the footage quickly went viral. The story appeared on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and caught the attention of major kayak brands. Old Town and FeelFree both sent him new kayaks in recognition of his actions.
“I didn’t realize how much it would impact people, but I’m glad it’s gotten folks talking about water safety,” Jones says.
Looking back, Jones sees the rescue as a culmination of his personal and professional experiences. As a behavioral health technician, he works with patients experiencing cognitive, mental health, and behavioral challenges—skills that proved invaluable during the rescue. And as a father, protecting and comforting the young boy came naturally.
“I just did what I’d want someone to do if they saw my kid in the water,” he says. “You never know what moment will change your life—or someone else’s.”
This article was published in Issue 73 of Paddling Magazine. 
