As a United Stated Coast Guard nonprofit grant recipient, the Water Sports Sports Foundation produces paddling safety outreach materials and distributes them through boating and paddling media providers.
Paddlesports currently has an inordinately high rate of accidents and deaths that for the past five years has been increasing, while power boating stats have been decreasing during the same period.
The goal is to create heightened public awareness of safer paddling making paddlesports safer and to ultimately reduce the total number of paddlesports-related deaths annually.
Speaker 1: This is going to be the best camping trip ever.
Speaker 2: I just went to the big box store and I got 2000 rolls of toilet paper, 50 pounds of tri-tip, and these great recreational sit inside kayaks.
Speaker 1: Don’t people usually use life jackets with these things?
Salty Jefferson: I learned that lesson the hard way.
Speaker 2: Paddling legend, Salty Jefferson?
Salty Jefferson: My buddy Shaggy Brad and I were out with the old two man cruising for babes. We saw a few on a cigarette boat with some dudes. Shaggy didn’t have a life jacket cause he liked to show off his guns. I had mine on, got a couple extra nipples I like to keep protected from the UV. But the boyfriends weren’t impressed. They hit the throttle and we hit the water and I never saw Shaggy again. That’s why I always wear my life jacket, because safety first, but also the nipples.
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.
In the tempest of new fishing kayaks hitting the water, it’s hard to make waves with a fresh boat. Especially a company that’s been around for 120 years. But last year, Old Town released the Topwater line to compete with lower-priced competition. This year, they blew the other guys out of the water.
Old Town Topwater 120 PDL Specs
Activity: Fishing, Hunting Style: Sit-on-Top Number of Paddlers: 1 Propulsion: Pedal Material: Single Layer Polyethylene Seat Type: Element Air Seating Weight Capacity: 500 lb | 226.8 kg Length: 12′ | 3.7 m Width: 36 in | 91.4 cm Price: $2149 USD
When we fished the Old Town Topwater 120 last summer, our team anticipated Old Town would release a pedal version. The super-stable Double U hull and smart outfitting were perfect for stand-up backwater fishing and the price was perfect for any budget.
So, we weren’t surprised when Old Town released the Topwater 106 PDL. At only 10-feet, six-inches, we were surprised by the pocket pedal boat’s ride and handling. The Double U hull lent itself perfectly to a pedal drive. And the tried and true PDL lived up to its strong and silent reputation. The little Topwater PDL made us hungry for a hotly anticipated 12-foot version. While we were impressed with the Topwater 106’s performance, the team agreed we needed more room for stuff.
Shazam! This spring, the Kayak Angler crew picked up word of a new Topwater PDL in the works and the result exceeds expectations.
The same smart features available on the other Topwater models added to the proven PDL system gives the 120 PDL more to love.
Topwater’s super-stable Double U hull improves stability and keeps the boat traveling straight. Steering is handled with a low-profile knob that is easy to index and a large, responsive rudder. One of our favorite features is the extra-long lever to retract the rudder. Instead of fighting with lines and bungees, the lever lifts the rudder without complaint.
Overview of the Old Town Topwater 120 PDL Fishing Kayak | Photo: Courtesy Old Town
A lightweight fishing kayak
The boat comes in at a prize-winning 87 pounds and the drive weighs just under 20 making the Topwater 120 PDL one of the lightest pedal boats on the water.
The topside of the 120 shares our favorite Topwater touches. The padded deck is easy for stand-up fishing. A large bow hatch seals for dry storage. Gear tracks on the gunnels are positioned to keep rod holders and fish finder display within reach and out of the path of the action.
Topwater makes it easy to install the fish finder and power cables with a transducer scupper and mounting system.
Two flushmount rod holders behind the seat are angled for trolling. My favorite is the flushmount rod holder beside the captain’s chair. I use it a hundred times a day to hold my rod for rigging or unhooking fish.
Old Town carried over the Elementair Seat which is light and strong, even if it lacks extra padding or supports. I like how the back is angled to accept a PFD with plenty of room in the 21-inch-wide seat.
Old Town PDL pedal fishing kayak
The star of the show is Old Town’s PDL drive. Engineers and pro-staff worked for years to develop the original PDL drive. The extra effort paid dividends with is a system that hasn’t needed improvement since. The pedal system is sealed and maintenance free, as capable in salt water as fresh. The PDL is so reliable, Old Town backs it with a five-year warranty.
I prize the fit and finish on the PDL. The system wedges solidly in the kayak with virtually no flex to transfer maximum power from the pedals to the propeller. Even if the system is larger than other power plants, the solid connection with the hull is worth the trade. When the pedals are inserted in the deck well, the base has a small hatch to double as dry storage.
Probably the Topwater feature that will appeal to the widest range of anglers is the price. At $2149 dollars, the Topwater 120 PDL brings Old Town quality at a great value.
walking out of the store with a solid pedal kayak for just over $2000 feels like highway robbery
I was so stoked about one of our favorite pedal boats growing up, I reached out to marketing manager Ryan Lilly. “Based on consumer feedback, we saw an opportunity to bring a lighter, compact, easy to maneuver and transport kayak to the market,” he explains. The Topwater line has been one of the best-selling in Old Town’s 120-year history. “That’s saying something,” Lilly crows.
Lilly gives credit to the guys behind the scenes. “Our product engineers are some of the best in the business and they delivered some of their best work with the Topwater series.” He points out the Topwater 120 PDL paddles as well as it pedals. “It cuts through the water with confidence and ease,” he adds.
[ View all Old Town Fishing Kayaks in the Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
We asked Lilly for the secret to building a feature-filled boat at a reasonable price. “There is a race to the bottom,” he admits, pointing to companies sacrificing quality and features to sell a less expensive kayak. “We are not interested in chasing cheap,” he insists, explaining Topwater’s ideal owner is looking for quality for their money.
Still, walking out of the store with a solid pedal kayak for just over $2000 feels like highway robbery. This boat is a great fit on any inshore or back water expedition with the capability to cover distance and survive moderate seas. It’s the grab-and-go boat you use more than your big, heavy tournament ride. The Topwater 120 PDL will keep friends and family smiling; I’m getting one for my mother-in-law. With smart features and a great price, the Topwater 120 PDL will fit anywhere.
The past three months have seen significant staffing changes at two of the largest paddling organizations in North America. After nine years of working with Paddle Canada, Graham Ketcheson, the organization’s Executive Director, has resigned from his position. Christopher Stec has also resigned from his post as the Chief Operating Officer at the American Canoe Association.
Since joining Paddle Canada in 2010, Ketcheson led the organization through growth and change. He helped implement better membership and course registration strategies and solutions, newsletter and social media communication with members, and a partnership with Rapid Media, so all Paddle Canada members receive a complimentary subscription to Paddling Magazine or Kayak Angler. During his time with the organization, Paddle Canada aimed a media campaign at educating paddlers to be smarter on the water, reaching millions of Canadians.
“One of my realized goals was to bring financial stability and profitability to Paddle Canada and to see the organization succeed by using smarter technologies while cutting traditional operating expenses,” says Ketcheson. “The organization has seen 30 percent growth during this time, mostly in membership and course offerings, plus more than a tripling of operating budgets.”
It’s hard to say goodbye to an organization I have so much passion for
“Graham had many positive traits he brought to the team at Paddle Canada,” says Jeff Martin, current President of Paddle Canada. “He is a people person who can effectively communicate and problem solve when members had questions. Over his nearly 10 years with Paddle Canada, he was able to effectively manage staff and many vital volunteer committees and communicate the vision of the organization.”
“It’s hard to say goodbye to an organization I have so much passion for,” wrote Ketcheson following his March resignation. “Our organization is in such a better place now compared to 2010, when I first arrived in office. We are at a much more sustainable level and have an excellent mix of courses, program offerings and great brand recognition in the outdoor marketplace. We have established partnerships with outdoor manufacturers, safe boating and government partners. The future of Paddle Canada looks bright.”
Both Paddle Canada and the American Canoe Association are in the process of hiring new staff
Ketcheson has taken on a role as managing director at OWL Rafting on the Ottawa River. It’s still in the paddling world, but a big change of duties and responsibilities. Ketcheson says he is excited to “learn a lot more about the world of commercial rafting, which is brand new to me.”
Christopher Stec also announced his resignation effective March 8, 2019, from his job as Chief Operating Officer at the American Canoe Association. In his resignation letter, Stec stated he was grateful for everything accomplished by staff and members of the American Canoe Association since his beginnings with the organization, and was unavailable for further comment.
Both Paddle Canada and the American Canoe Association are in the process of hiring new staff. “In terms of filling the Executive Director’s role, we have a hiring committee in place currently and have advertised the position over the last month,” says Jeff Martin of Paddle Canada. “We have also shared the job advertisement through Paddle Canada social media platforms and through word of mouth. Graham has left some big shoes to fill.”
This new standard will allow the consumer to compare the strength of paddles manufactured by different companies. | Photo: Gearlab
Gearlab, pioneer of the first modern Greenland-style paddles with exchangeable tips, has partnered with engineer Declan Nowak to develop a mechanism to measure the forces on a carbon fiber Greenland-style paddle in the water, allowing Gearlab designers to increase paddle strength and efficiency.
“In the industry, there is no set standard for testing stress placed on the paddles,” says lead designer and co-founder, Henry Chang. “All Gearlab products go through systematic and rigorous research, usability analysis, and field testing. As part of that process, we needed a way to measure how much force is in each stroke and determine the strength-to-weight ratio.”
In consultation with engineers at Gearlab’s design laboratory in Taiwan, Nowak designed an Arduino-powered sensor that records the force exerted by a paddler’s hands on a paddle. An Arduino is a small lightweight microcontroller that is perfect for data-recording applications because it records information to an SD card.
This new standard will allow the consumer to compare the strength of paddles manufactured by different companies
“Using the sensor, I was able to determine the maximum force a paddler is likely to apply in ideal paddling conditions,” Nowak explains. “By knowing the stress a paddle can withstand in controlled lab tests and what the average force of a paddle stroke is, Gearlab can ensure that every paddle will handle tough conditions and meet customer expectations.”
As a result of this collaboration, Gearlab applied these results in developing the new Kalleq paddle (from the Inuit word for lightning) to be released this spring. The new Kalleq paddle, which is even lighter in weight than other models, offers a new sharper edge that improves paddle efficiency in the water, as well as paddling stability. The Kalleq has a redesigned internal carbon fiber structure that offers greater strength and durability in harsh conditions than previous models. And Gearlab’s signature exchangeable tips are smaller and the blade slightly wider than previous models.
With these innovations, the user can go farther and faster, with less stress to the shoulder and arm joints. The tests ensure that as the paddles become lighter, they maintain Gearlab’s rigorous durability standards.
Paddle blade forces vs. time | Photo: Gearlab
*To simplify the graph, no data is recorded when the sensors registered a force of zero.
** While the analysis states that the units of kilograms are a force, the paddle is actually moving the mass of water. The force on the paddle will depend on how fast the paddler is accelerating. For the purposes of this experiment, I assumed that the paddler’s acceleration was the same as the acceleration due to gravity—which is significantly more than the rate a paddler would be accelerating.
Nowak says the next step will involve refining the sensor system and analyzing paddle strength using computer models in various water conditions. He also plans to put the new flagship Kalleq paddle to further tests this summer with Gearlab’s chief engineer, Chung-Shih Sun, on a 740-mile expedition on the historic Northern Forest Canoe Trail through the Northeastern United States and Canada.
In the future, Nowak aims to work with Gearlab to establish a universal metric for paddle companies.
Paddle force sensors | Photo: Gearlab
“While each kayak paddle company has its own internal standards for product development, Gearlab is working toward establishing a universal standard,” Nowak says. “This new standard will allow the consumer to compare the strength of paddles manufactured by different companies, the strength of various lengths and widths of Greenland paddles, and even the strength of different types of paddles—such as Euro blades versus Greenland paddles.”
For more detailed information on Nowak’s Arduino-powered force sensor and field testing, go to gearlaboutdoor.com/PaddleForceTest.
About Gearlab:
For the past eight years, Gearlab has designed and manufactured Greenland-style carbon fiber paddles for ocean kayakers around the world. Created by a team of award-winning industrial designers and outdoor enthusiasts, the paddles are adapted from indigenous Inuit designs. Greenland paddles provide a long range, efficiency, and precision while reducing injury and fatigue. Made from 100% continuous carbon fiber material, Gearlab perfects thousand-year-old ergonomics with advanced material strength and durability. Gearlab paddles will open up a new realm of adventure for both weekend kayakers and expert paddlers. Find out more about the benefits of Gearlab paddles at www.gearlaboutdoor.com.
Globalstar has partnered with the Alpine Club of Canada
Coinciding with Canada’s Emergency Preparedness Week, Globalstar Canada Satellite Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc. and the leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technologies, today announced it has partnered with The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) to promote safety and security for alpine adventurers and remote workers.
The partnership was established out of the mutual objectives shared by ACC and Globalstar, including the encouragement and practice of outdoor activities and exploration and the promotion of those skills among Canadians. As part of the partnership arrangement, Globalstar Canada is providing the ACC with SPOT X 2-Way Satellite Messengers as well as access to satellite services, for use by adventure guides and alpine maintenance teams.
SPOT is trusted and proven satellite technology used By outdoor enthusiasts and remote workers who need to stay connected when venturing beyond cellular
“We are excited to be partnering with Globalstar Canada this year as part of our safety mandate, adding the SPOT X 2-Way Satellite Messenger to our safety and communications gear,” said Keith Haberl, Marketing Manager, Alpine Club of Canada. “The ACC is passionate about adventure. Every year we run more than 50 guided adventures in remote alpine locations and maintain the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. It is essential that we ensure our guides and hut maintenance teams have a reliable way to keep in touch with our office, for both safety and logistical reasons. In case an emergency arises in a remote location being able to communicate isn’t optional, it’s essential. With SPOT X we’ll be able to ensure this for our workers.”
“SPOT is trusted and proven satellite technology used around the world by tens of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts and remote workers who need to stay connected when venturing beyond cellular,” said Fintan Robb, Senior Director of Marketing, Globalstar Canada Satellite Co. “Through our partnership with the ACC, adventure guides and hut maintenance teams can now easily access the 2-way connectivity and security of SOS that the SPOT X 2-Way Satellite Messenger provides. As the official satellite communications provider for the ACC, we proudly support a 100-year old organization that is part of the fabric of Canada’s mountaineering community. Announcing this partnership during Emergency Preparedness Week underscores how passionate we are about safety in the outdoors and the importance of including SPOT as part of adventure planning and essential safety gear.”
With 2-way text messaging capabilities, SPOT X users can better communicate during their adventures to keep in touch with family and friends, or if necessary, emergency personnel
SPOT X is the latest addition to the award-winning SPOT family of products, providing affordable, off-the-grid messaging and tracking for hundreds of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts. Through a direct connection to the GEOS International Emergency Coordination Center, SPOT has triggered more than 6,200 rescues around the globe within the last ten years, approximately one-third of which have taken place in Canada. With 2-way text messaging capabilities, SPOT X users can better communicate during their adventures to keep in touch with family and friends, or if necessary, emergency personnel. Lone workers can check-in and provide detailed status of their situation when working in remote locations and receive direct replies back with updates.
Established in 1906, the ACC is Canada’s national mountaineering club with more than 17,000 members. Its vision is to bring together, and give voice to, Canada’s mountaineering community. Its mission is to promote alpine experiences, knowledge and culture, responsible access and excellence in mountain skills and leadership. The organization operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America, from the Neil Colgan Hut in Banff’s Valley of the Ten Peaks (highest hut located at 9,700 feet) to the Keene Farm Hut (lowest hut located at 1,115 feet). The ACC runs guided adventures out of its national office in Canmore, which last year had 54 adventures and 634 participants. It also runs a General Mountaineering Camp every year in the high alpine.
About Globalstar, Inc.
Globalstar is a leading provider of customizable satellite IoT solutions for customers around the world in industries such as government, oil and gas, emergency management, transportation, maritime and outdoor recreation. As a pioneer of mobile satellite voice and data services, Globalstar allows businesses to streamline operations via the Globalstar Satellite Network by connecting people to their devices, supplying personal safety and communication and automating data to more easily monitor and manage mobile assets. The Company’s product portfolio includes the industry-acclaimed SmartOne asset tracking products, Commercial IoT satellite transmitters and Duplex satellite data modems, the innovative Sat-Fi2 satellite wireless IP hotspot and the SPOT® product line of personal safety, asset and communication devices, all offered with a variety of data service plans.
Note that all SPOT products described in this press release are the products of SPOT LLC, which is not affiliated in any manner with Spot Image of Toulouse, France or Spot Image Corporation of Chantilly, Virginia. SPOT Connect is a trademark of Spot LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Experience ease-of-use on the water. | Photo: Hobie
Hobie has introduced the Mirage Passport as the newest addition to its renowned lineup of pedal kayaks, powered by the brand’s signature MirageDrive – the original pedal propulsion system for kayaking. Maintaining Hobie’s acclaimed quality and durability, the Passport was built with simplicity in mind, delivering efficiency, ease of use, versatility and comfort in a highly accessible package.
“The Passport has been thoughtfully designed to help break down those barriers of entry that may be keeping people off the water, and make pedal kayaking both more accessible and even more approachable,” said Jason Kardas, Director of Engineering Product Management for Hobie. “The ultimate goal of the Passport is to be able to bring the premium experience that Hobie’s MirageDrive technology has delivered for more than 20 years to a broader audience than ever before.”
Hobie’s Mirage Passport Kayak | Photo: Hobie
With its excellent value, transportability, simple and sleek design and durable Thermoform construction, the Passport is a well-rounded boat that truly offers something for everyone, from novice to experienced kayakers alike. It is the ideal kayak for casual recreation and family outings but is ready for all kinds of adventures on the water.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all recreational kayaks ]
Designed to accept most of Hobie’s vast array of accessories, the Passport is also a great, low-impact cross-training and fitness tool for fitness enthusiasts, and can be easily outfitted with additional angling equipment for recreational kayak fishing.
Top view of the Hobie Mirage Passport | Photo: Hobie
Powered by Hobie’s first-of-its-kind Classic MirageDrive pedal system, the Passport makes kayaking smooth and efficient, cruising seamlessly through the water. The shorter hull length and wider body provide superior stability, while the intuitive steering system and stowable rudder enable easy maneuvering.
Standard equipment on the Passport includes a suspended mesh-back, aluminum-frame seat, two-piece aluminum paddle, two rod holders, accessory mounting tracks and the accessory mount that accepts the kayak sail and new Bimini. Kayakers will also enjoy ample storage space on the Passport, with molded-in, cross-bungee cargo areas on the bow and stern, as well as Hobie’s ‘twist-n-seal’ hatch.
Hobie’s MirageDrive pedal drive system | Photo: Hobie
The new Hobie Mirage Passport will begin arriving at Hobie authorized dealers on Friday, April 26, at an introductory MSRP of $1,299 (excluding taxes and shipping).
About Hobie
Since 1950, Hobie has been in the business of shaping a unique lifestyle based around fun, water and quality products. From their headquarters in Oceanside, California, Hobie Cat Company manufactures, distributes and markets an impressive collection of watercraft worldwide. These include an ever-expanding line of recreation and racing sailboats, pedal-driven and paddle sit-on-top recreation and fishing kayaks, inflatable kayaks and fishing boats, plus a complementary array of parts and accessories. To learn more, visit www.hobie.com.
Go light, go solo, go right now. The 16-pound Wee Lassie is ready for your next pint-sized adventure.
Photo: Joel Clifton
According to Leonardo da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” This quote rang true when I first set eyes on the sleek, new and tiny 10.5-foot Wenonah Canoe Wee Lassie in Paddling Magazine’s New Product Showcase at last year’s Paddlesports Retailer event in Oklahoma City.
Wenonah Canoe’s Wee Lassie Specs
Length: 10 ft 6 in Width: 27 in Weight: 16 lbs Material: Ultra-light Kevlar MSRP: $1,649 USD wenonah.com
By the end of the show, the Wee Lassie had been crowned Best New Canoe in the Paddling Magazine Industry Awards, as voted by on-site media, retailers and paddling enthusiasts casting votes from home. All this hype and nobody had even paddled it. This only amped up my desire to try it out.
[ View more solo lakewater and touring canoes in our Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
For much of the winter, however, the diminutive Wee Lassie haunted my daydreams from where it rested on my canoe tree, still wrapped in its shipping plastics after a late December delivery.
When a warm, sunny morning was forecast a couple days before spring officially arrived, I gleefully freed it from its wintery cocoon.
Wenonah’s Wee Lassie is a lightweight canoe for epic adventures
Weighing just 16 pounds, I marched the Wee Lassie a kilometer through my sleepy suburban neighborhood to the lonely waterfront launch. I tiptoed around some shore ice and settled for my first paddle of the season. Bliss.
At just 16 pounds, the Wee Lassie is so light we could play catch. | Photo: Joel Clifton
Dawn patrols, sunset sessions, and sneaking out for lunchtime paddles are precisely the sorts of adventures the Wee Lassie is designed for. Wenonah markets it as a roomier, more portage-friendly alternative to a solo recreational kayak.
[ View other lightweight canoes in our Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
“The Wee Lassie is aimed at the segment of the market looking for a smaller, ridiculously lightweight boat. The pick-it-up-I-just-want-to-go-float type,” says Mike Looman, Wenonah’s head of North American sales.
A century-old Wenonah solo canoe design
Wenonah is aiming this packboat-style canoe at middle-aged weekend warriors and folks interested in its unique blend of weight and comfort.
The Wee Lassie design—which has a century-old history and has been made by a dozen other manufacturers—plays on the popularity of packboats in upstate New York and the Adirondacks, adds Looman.
“It’s performance-inspired to a point, but the Wee Lassie is solidly in the sport and leisure category.”
At just 16 pounds, this is Wenonah’s lightest canoe—it’s a grab-and-go boat on a diet. Other things also weighing 16 pounds include: a 12-pin bowling ball, a 12-week old Labrador puppy, and a family-sized Easter ham.
My lazy housecat actually outweighs the Wee Lassie by four-and-a-half pounds. Sure, Sampson is a little overweight, but you get the point. The Wee Lassie is so light, you and I could play a high-stakes game of catch.
To create this 10.5-foot version, Wenonah took their larger Wee Lassie, which is 12.5 feet long, 24 pounds and debuted in 2012, and “proportionally shrank it down, keeping the lines consistent and symmetrical,” says Looman.
The larger model is popular with larger paddlers of course, as well as anglers and anyone else looking to bring a bit of gear.
The Wenonah Wee Lassie solo canoe has exactly zero inches of rocker, maximizing the waterline of its diminutive 10.5-foot length. | Photo: Joel Clifton
The fixed bucket seat on the Wenonah Wee Lassie canoe is complemented by a comfy fabric seat back that cinches down out of the way for no-fuss carries. | Photo: Joel Clifton
Wenonah’s first 10-foot canoe
The 10.5-foot Wee Lassie is all about minimalism.
Maybe ultralight, thru-hiking legend Ray Jardine could squeeze in an overnight pack, but this is a true grab-and-float boat—“you’re not going to go paddle five or six miles in it,” says Looman. Wenonah makes lots of other boats for that.
“The challenge for us was the Wee Lassie doesn’t necessarily fit our pedigree of making performance, touring and race designs,” says Looman.
“It’s performance-inspired to a point, but the Wee Lassie is solidly in the sport and leisure category.”
Just because it’s featherweight, don’t make the mistake of assuming the Wee Lassie is fragile.
The Wee Lassie immediately charmed me. With a center depth of just 10 inches, it’s most comfortable exploring the nooks and crannies of sparkling ponds, serene lakes and calm shorelines.
There’s really no rocker to speak of, which maximizes the waterline and helps give this little boat good glide for its length. With either a single blade or a double, the Wee Lassie is nimble and responsive—an enjoyably easy paddle.
A Wenonah kevlar canoe for superb strength to weight
Just because it’s featherweight, don’t make the mistake of assuming the Wee Lassie is fragile. I think most paddlers would be inclined to baby it—I know I was—but I also contend it’s stronger than its delicate looks suggest.
The Wee Lassie only comes in Wenonah’s Ultra-light Kevlar layup. This hull is used for many of Wenonah’s boats designed for speed, distance and much tougher conditions than the Wee Lassie is likely to experience.
[ View other Aramid i.e. Kevlar, Nomex and Twaron material canoe’s in our Paddling Buyer’s Guide ]
The hand layup construction uses Wenonah’s proven core-mat material, which “allows for superb strength to weight,” according to Looman.
Small aluminum plates are laminated into the hull and the seat is riveted into these plates. This eliminates rivet heads on the exterior for a glossy and unmarred finish.
The Wee Lassie’s black aluminum trim comes standard, as do the tiny vinyl deck plates and a floor-mounted fiberglass seat with the Cushgear Backsaver back rest, which features an inflatable backpad for added comfort.
The thwart was at a perfect distance for resting my feet. In terms of bells and whistles—that’s about all 16 pounds worth.
There’s an attractive minimalism about the Wenonah Wee Lassie. Many canoes and kayaks in the recreation category come with a plethora of features—cup holders, dashboards, even ports for charging smartphones—but the Wee Lassie eschews all that.
It’s just me and the water open to the air—truly, there’s not much room for much else. The no-frills simplicity is refreshing. Simple sophistication indeed.
Go light, go solo, go right now. The 16-pound Wee Lassie is ready for your next pint-sized adventure. FeaturePhoto: Joel Clifton
MyCanoe’s folding recreational Plus model has the distinction of being the only boat reviewed by Paddling Magazine shipped with its own rubber mallet for assembly.
MyCanoe’s Plus Folding Canoe Specs
Length: 14 ft 8 in Width: 35 in Weight: 52 lbs Capacity: 440 lbs MSRP: $1,390 USD oricanoe.com
I got my first, in-person look at the MyCanoe at last year’s Paddlesports Retailer in Oklahoma City. On the tradeshow floor, marketing manager Jay Lee offered a demonstration, making construction look fluid and easy.
He’d had some practice. Months later, in my backyard with an unfolded hull draped across my back deck, I picked up my mallet trying to remember back to his simple step-by-step instructions.
A durable and lightweight canoe that can travel anywhere
The hull of the MyCanoe is constructed of a five-millimeter, double-layer polypropylene. Lightweight and durable, it looks and feels a bit like plastic, corrugated cardboard.
The material is manufactured custom for MyCanoe at a factory in Korea. The material is then shipped to the company’s headquarters near Nashville, Tennessee.
I didn’t drag it to the shore or smash it into rocks, but I certainly didn’t need to baby it.
Once there the sheets get cut to size, folded and customized in-house. More than 60 pieces make up the MyCanoe Plus and its accessories. There are three models MyCanoe offers, Basic, 3.0 and Plus, which differ mostly based on the accessories offered.
Our Plus model loaner comes standard with an attachable rowing kit. The process to go from raw material to folding canoe takes between four to six hours, says Lee. Last year OriCanoe produced 1,000 canoes.
MyCanoe’s Plus is comparable to other top folding canoe models
Many similarities have been drawn between MyCanoe’s models and Oru Kayak, and for good reason.
Not only are both brands inspired by origami and boast a similar-looking hull material, but the two brands have been helping each other along the way, says Lee.
“Oru Kayak started at the same time as we developed, but they issued the patent first. We were thinking very similar things at the same time and exchanged a lot of ideas,” Lee adds. “We’re still helping each other—and also competing, of course.”
From concept to launch took Lee’s team two-and-a-half years. “Lots of trial and error,” is how he describes the effort. “But it’s fun for our team. We’re all 40 to 50 years old, we enjoy this, and a lot of us are doing it in our free time.”
When MyCanoe is folded up, the hull of the 14.5-foot canoe is the size of a large suitcase at 37 x 8 x 25 inches. | Photo: Joel Clifton
Building MyCanoe’s folding canoe is easier the second time around
But back to the construction mallet. The MyCanoe Plus hull unfolds as one piece, so there’s really no chance of putting it together wrong.
Still, my first attempt took about 30 minutes, mostly because it seemed counter-intuitive and I was shy to use so much force to bend the stiff polypropylene into shape.
Red-faced and cursing, I looked back to consult the instructions multiple times. I must be doing something wrong. Nope—the first few times the MyCanoe is set up, you just need to use some muscle.
It’s especially suited to urbanites, and others who might not have a place to store a hardshell canoe or a way to transport it.
Some tasks, like sliding on the gunwales, which come in 12 pieces, are much easier with a friend—one set of hands can straighten angles, while the other can slip the gunwales on, piece by piece.
Once familiar with the process, construction should only take 10 minutes, according to Lee.
That’s an impressive time frame as some other folding canoes and folding kayaks we’ve reviewed here at Paddling Magazine take 30-plus minutes to set-up. Of course, like with any folding design, expect set-up time to double if you’re at a public beach—crowds of curious onlookers will pepper you with questions and slow you down.
Dismantling the MyCanoe and folding it back into its suitcase is simple after you’ve done it once. This is where the mallet comes in—a hearty tap with the mallet helps the canoe fold back along its crease lines.
The plastic hull retains some memory once you’ve set-up and dismantled it a few times, and the whole process speeds up as the folds break in and become more flexible.
MyCanoe’s Plus makes canoe storage simple
Refreshingly, the MyCanoe Plus isn’t trying to be a do-it-all design. With a 440-pound recommended maximum carrying capacity and no optional yoke on offer, few paddlers would make this their dedicated tripper.
However, for anyone who wants a unique boat to explore local waters—and as a shoreside conversation starter—it’s perfect. It’s especially suited to urbanites, and others who might not have a place to store a hardshell canoe or a way to transport it, confirms Lee.
The MyCanoe’s seats hover just a couple inches off the hull—sorry, kneelers. | Photo: Joel Clifton
MyCanoe is the only boat to arrive with its own rubber mallet for whacking it into shape.
| Photo: Joel Clifton
A 14-foot two-person canoe
In terms of performance, this MyCanoe paddles like you’d expect from a recreational canoe of its 14.7-foot length and beamy 35-inch width.
It’s not the speediest boat, but it maneuvers well and is far more confidence-inspiring on the water than you’d imagine when you see its suitcase riding on public transit.
The shallow-V hull rolls a bit in chop, but the MyCanoe’s sharp chines provide excellent stability if you’re ever to edge it over that far.
Carry less, explore more.
The seats affix to the ribs of the canoe allowing for eight different tandem positions. However, the seats hover just a couple inches above the bottom of the hull, which means kneeling and tucking my feet under the seat aren’t an option.
As for durability, the special material is rated to withstand 20,000 folds. To put this in perspective I did some math.
I could hypothetically set it up and dismantle it once a day, every day, for more than 25 years. And by my mid-50s I may want a new canoe anyway. As for general paddling, basically, I’d treat it as I would a fiberglass canoe.
I didn’t drag it to the shore or smash it into rocks, but I certainly didn’t need to baby it.
Unfold this portable canoe for your next paddling adventure
The portability of the MyCanoe could lend itself to international travel—the slogan on the website is, “Carry less, explore more.”
Iced in all of February, I wanted to bring this boat on a family trip to Mexico to get some shots to accompany this review.
However, when the time came, I couldn’t wrap my head around traveling around with two additional pieces of luggage for a single, sun-kissed Instagram photo.
The MyCanoe’s hull folds up into a tidy 36-pound package, but the extra 16-pound duffel, containing seats, gunwales, ribs and more, cinched the decision to leave it behind.
To be fair, I didn’t take my 16-foot Prospector by Nova Craft Canoe to Cancun either.
Lee’s team plans to launch a third-generation version of the MyCanoe later this year, which I think may address portability.
Lee couldn’t say much yet, but he hinted the next generation is taking its inspiration from pop-up tent ingenuity. Lee’s goal is to create a canoe able to go from folded hull to full canoe in less than five minutes.
We can’t wait to test that one. In the meantime, the MyCanoe Plus is a fun, novel and innovative vessel for exploration for urban adventurers and it’s waiting in my front hall closet for my next waterfront day trip.
Some assembly required. Feature Photo: Joel Clifton
In this video Paul Mason gives an overview of the paddling gear he likes to leave in his vehicle.
Most paddlers are familiar with the feeling of reaching into your bag looking for some piece of gear that you swear you packed that morning. Unfortunately more times than not this bag was packed while you were throwing back your breakfast, feeding the dog and running out the door.
The reality is that this has happened to all of us, and it is going to happen again whether it is you or one of your friends. Since many of us have extra gear kicking around the house, maybe this is the time to pack it up and put it in a bin that now lives in your car instead. You might just save the day at the put-in.
Some of these items are worse to forget than others. Forgetting to bring gorilla tape might not be the end of the world but forgetting a life jacket could kibosh the expedition. Also, a friend who forgets their dry top might still be able to paddle and it will only be cold for them. If your friend forgets a throw bag, it will be you paying for it.
[View the latest boats and gear in the Paddling Buyer’s Guide]
Paul Mason’s Top 18 Pieces Of Gear To Keep In The Car
1) Life Jacket
2) Garbage Bag – potential rain jacket, garbage collection or inflation device.
3) Air Bags
4) Helmet
5) Baseball Cap – to hide that gnarly post paddle hair.
6) Electrical Tape
7) Duct Tape (or Gorilla Tape) – quick and dirty repairs.
8) Paddling Dry Jacket
9) Throw Bag – if your friends forget this, it is you that pays for it.
10) Extra Piece Of Foam
11) Contact Cement – great for patch work.
12) Webbing
13) Wire – for the muffler that fell off on the way to the put-in.
14) Vice Grips
15) Lighter – secure the ends of cut rope or for the spontaneous post-paddle campfire.
16) Pencil with Duct Tape
17) Sandpaper – remove rough patches before patching.
18) Zip Ties – endless uses.
Other Items You Might Consider Adding:
1) Paddle
2) Cam Straps – you can never have too many.
3) Carabiner
4) Granola Bars
5) Water Bottle
Four walls and a roof often don’t accommodate the semi-nomadic lifestyle that kayakers, canoeists, rafters and pedal boaters alike find themselves falling into.
Indeed, there are many places more valuable to those chasing falling water:
1) A Car
If it rolls and carries boats on the roof, it fits the bill. It’s a bed, a gear closet, and a way to get from A to B. As an accomplice in escapes from the city, packing a paddler’s car is usually something between a game of tetris and a game of Jenga, with game pieces made of wooden shelves, plastic bins and stinky gear. It doesn’t hold grudges for the routine abandonment that occurs at the put-in to a river, at the airport or at the trailhead.
If it makes it from A to B in one piece, it’s a good day. If not, call it an adventure, group bonding, or #epic. There’s probably a paddler who can pick you up on their way to the river.
2) The Greasy Spoon, Wherever The Water Is
From local diners to the closest Tim Hortons, wherever the rain is falling and the rivers are running, there will be a gaggle of paddlers hunkered down in the corner, hogging the wifi, curating the next sick edit, or sending long-awaited updates to the loved ones whose perfume of choice isn’t wet neoprene.
Clad in down jackets and toques, cut-offs and tank tops, devouring breakfast combos and fueling up on dirt-tasting coffee (made tolerable only by Canadian pride) before heading into the frigid air for a rainy day adventure, or into the sunshine in search of running water.
The wifi’s better than any house we’ve lived in, the fridge is definitely better stocked, and there’s a high probability that the bathrooms are cleaner.
Savouring the first gulp after a multi-day, or stunting the next hangover before this one begins, kindred spirits can inevitably be recognized by sunburns and helmet hair. In dive bars and trendy microbreweries, paddlers will be nursing sore blisters and egos, reliving the sharpest lines and the best beatering of a glorious day spent on the river.
4) The Tent
A safe haven. Safe from weather and from bugs. Safe from tripmates, when day 5 becomes just a little too much. Safe from the hustle and bustle. Where a house would keep one home with the temptation of crossing something off the fix-it list, a tent solely asks for duct tape and an adventure. Plopped amongst trees, rapids, or inebriated festival-goers, it’s a (relatively) dry place to rest a head, a shelter for introverted minds.
Here’s to the places that fill our lives, fuel adventure, and don’t keep us in one place.
