Once you filter out the PR spin, it can feel as if the technology of paddling is standing still. After all, many of the materials and methods we’ve used to produce boats, paddles and apparel have changed little in decades. That is, until recently. Whether due to fallout from supply chain woes, rising materials costs or legislation (see Bracing For The Coming PFAS Ban), the last couple of years have seen some exciting advances in paddlesports manufacturing. Here are just a few of the innovations we’re watching.
Five innovations that could change paddlesports forever
Photo: Courtesy Shapewave
Shapewave | Tape Welding
From the chatter around trade show happy hours, you’d think a visionary SUP bro invented drop-stitch inflatables about a dozen years ago (was it Laird?). In fact, the high-pressure inflatable process dates all the way back to the 1950s, when Goodyear designed an inflatable airplane for the Pentagon. Their interest in drop stitching was the same as 21st-century paddleboarders—producing an inflatable that can hold a specific shape rather than puff up like a balloon—and it worked. Drop-stitch inflatables do indeed hold their shape, and that shape is flat.
Dutch startup Shapewave is looking to shift the one-shape-fits-all paradigm with a new manufacturing process that could reimagine what we think is possible with inflatables. In place of the inner threads used in drop-stitch fabrics, Shapewave uses lengths of tape welded between the sheets of material, each of which can vary in length, attachment point and angle, allowing for complex shapes and curves. The secret sauce is Shapewave’s CAD-to-weld software, which creates a roadmap for their robotic Wavemaker01 welding machine. Translation: the closest thing we’ve seen yet to matching the rails of a hardboard.
Image: Courtesy Aqua Bound
Aqua Bound | Lam-Lok
Aqua Bound has long been known for its value-minded paddle designs. The Aerial series throws everything you think you know about the brand out with the river water, with an innovation that could revolutionize composite paddle blade design. Aqua Bound’s new Lam-Lok process wraps five meters of aramid stitching around the perimeter of each paddle blade, creating a durable mechanical bond between the composite layers. The idea is to prevent the painful-to-watch delamination of composite blades subjected to rocky rivers and shorelines. To measure the effectiveness of the armor stitching, Aqua Bound used a machine to test how much force it would take to rip apart two layers of fiberglass. Sheets of fiberglass bonded by resin separated under a mere 18 pounds of force. The Lam-Lok stitched fabric, laid out in the same manner as the Aerial blade, took 500 pounds to buckle.
Feature photo: Paddling Magazine staff
Swift Canoe | Forged Carbon
Forged carbon debuted around 2010, when Lamborghini unveiled the show-stopping layup on a concept car at a Paris auto show. A decade and a change later, Swift Canoe & Kayak has brought the stylish space-age material to the grungy paddling scene.
The carbon fiber we’ve long used in paddling products is a woven fabric, laid up in a predetermined pattern. Forged carbon combines resin with shards of carbon under pressure to form a pattern completely unique from one inch to the next. Swift uses forged carbon as an outer laminate on their boats, combining an out-of-this-world finish with the strength of carbon fiber. Using a proprietary application method they can work out unique patterns and densities. Adding forged carbon marks a $1,500 USD upgrade to Swift’s Carbon Fusion layups. When it comes to moving away from the same old, same old, forged carbon brings a beautifully crafted dose of avant-garde to the paddling scene.
Image: Courtesy Esquif
Esquif | T-Formex Lite
From the moment we lost our dearly departed Royalex, Esquif set out to create an equally indestructible alternative. The company’s T-Formex material, made of sandwiched foam and vinyl laminate sheets, has proven itself a worthy successor but Esquif never intended to stop there. With the unveiling of their latest canoe, the Huron 17, Esquif introduced us to their next material evolution, T-Formex Lite.
T-Formex is tough, but with that durability comes weight. T-Formex Lite provides a lighter alternative by varying the thickness and composition of the laminate sheets. That means optimizing the sheets for each model of canoe, using less material in some places and adding more where reinforcement is needed. T-Formex Lite will not be as stiff and durable as full-on T-Formex, but still promises to provide the reliable toughness the Esquif brand is built on. The weight-shaving difference is substantial. For example, an Esquif Canyon in T-Formex weighs 75 pounds while the same canoe in T-Formex Lite is almost 15 pounds lighter.
Image: Courtesy Melker
Melker of Sweden | Cork Kayak
Every corner of the outdoor industry is wedded to petroleum products, and paddlesports is no exception. Whether plastic or composite, the boats we paddle start as a good-sized glob of oil. One manufacturer looking to change that is Melker of Sweden. Pelle Stafshede founded the company in 2015 with the goal of producing environmentally sustainable kayaks, which means moving away from the fossil-based polymers we’ve used since sealskin and driftwood went out of style.
Melker’s latest kayak design, the Värmdö, meets that ambitious goal thanks to a composite layup of cork and flax. Cork is a regenerative product, made from the bark of cork oaks, and it turns out it’s buoyant, lightweight, relatively impermeable and surprisingly durable. The toughness of resin-infused cork won’t shock anyone who’s shopped for flooring in the last decade, but kayaks? High-performance touring kayaks made from sheets of cork sandwiched between layers of flax may take a little getting used to, but Stafshede believes it’s just the sort of innovation paddling needs to kick its petrochemical addiction.
This article was first published in the 2024 issue of Paddling Business. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Whether you’re a canoeist, kayaker or paddleboarder, headed out for a multi-day trip or an afternoon jaunt, keeping your belongings dry is of the utmost importance. It’s not just a matter of having dry socks to change into, or keeping your new phone from sinking to the bottom of the lake either. It’s also a matter of safety.
Conditions can change fast out there and anything can happen. Having a dry change of clothes, food, sleeping bag or even just an extra layer in a multitude of situations can make all the difference.
We tested dry bags in a variety of sizes and styles, at a range of price points, to see how they held up during a variety of watery adventures. The dry bag market has grown into a crowded field, and the favorites we’ve selected here represent just a portion of worthwhile bags available today. See our picks for the best dry bags below.
This budget-friendly 10-liter dry bag from Skog Å Kust is fashionable and functional. Made of a thick PVC with a classic roll-top design, it protects gear against splashes and brief dunkings. Most suited to carrying snacks and small essentials during relaxed outings, and comfortably carried via the trendy crossbody strap. Available in 13 eye-catching colors and prints, it’s no surprise this Drysåk got oodles of compliments from passing paddlers.
Reasons to buy
Budget-friendly and reliable
Unique color options
Front zip pocket to keep items handy
Clip-on detachable sling
Great size for day trips
Consider another if
You prefer a lighter, more pliable material
Seeking a PVC alternative
Bottom line
With unique color patterns the Skog Å Kust Drysåk not only holds extra layers and lunch, it also adds a touch of personality on the deck of your paddleboard.
You know the feeling of peeking into every dry bag before finally finding the item you’re looking for? Stop that with easy identification thanks to Discovery View’s transparent polyurethane body. An innovative purge valve vents trapped air, allowing this dry bag to compress further after being sealed—perfect for tight packing jobs and bulky items like sleeping bags or clothes. The urethane is more reliably waterproof than waterproof-breathable fabrics and, at 9.7 ounces, it weighs a bit more too. Colored bottoms help distinguish between bags. Also available in five-, 20- and 30-liter sizes.
Reasons to buy
Translucent bag lets you see what’s inside before digging around
PurgeAir valves lets you compress bag after rolling
Color-coded bottoms help organize trip packing
Consider another if
You don’t want your belongings visible
You prefer the traditional construction of PVC bags
Bottom line
Never unpack your whole dry bag again in search of a headlamp or car keys thanks to the transparent polyurethane construction of the SealLine Discovery dry bag.
This stuff sack lives up to its name and weighs an impressively airy 1.6 ounces. The thin material of the Osprey Ultralight requires the protection of an outer pack, but don’t make the mistake of assuming it’s delicate—it’s been my go-to for tripping clothes for more than five years. Short of submersion, its water-repelling fabric and roll-top design offer the protection dry stuff needs. A flat-bottomed rectangular design makes packing it within a larger waterproof backpack easy.
Reasons to buy
Lightweight and crushes down to stow away when empty
One bag to use for on the water and on the trail
Consider another if
You need a heavy duty construction
Bottom line
Osprey is a big name in the backpacking realm, and their Ultralight Dry Sack is the choice for the multi-sport paddler who needs one dry bag whether they are spending the day kayaking a river or seeking an organization solution on their thru-hike.
The Expedition DriDuffel is a 12- by 20-inch fully submersible duffel-style dry bag from NRS built for multiday river trips. We love this burly bag’s easy-access wide mouth, and its waterproof TRU Zip zipper and heavy-duty TPU-coated nylon keep gear bone dry. Integrated webbing chains offer multiple attachment points, and the shoulder strap and dual haul handles offer easy-carry options. Also available in 12-, 70- and 105-liter options.
Reasons to buy
Toothless zipper provides a submersible seal
TPU-coated nylon offers heavy duty PVC alternative
Wide opening makes gear easier to find than a roll-top
Shape and exterior webbing allows for secure storage on river trips
Consider another if
You prefer a roll-top or seam seal style opening
Need a backpack style dry bag for portages or travel
Budget-friendly outweighs performance in priorities
Bottom line
The easy to access duffel-style of the Expedition DriDuffel will quickly make it your go to bag on river trips.
The stout 10.5-liter Ocoee is the soft-sided dry bag of choice for camera gear on Paddling Magazine editorial trips. It fits tidily behind the seat of the kayak, inside a hatch, or under the seat of an oar rig. This impenetrable design lives up to its claim of being a 100-percent waterproof and submersible bag thanks to its ZipDry seal, which looks like a giant Ziploc seam running across its top. The big mouth on this bag makes accessing contents easy, plus it’s easy to open and close—once you know the secret. The Ocoee has the added option of a purge valve, and bag specific padded liner and internal dividers to protect your gear further. This bomber construction is surprisingly lightweight at just over a pound. It also features burly lash-down points and a comfortable handle for toting around. Worth the investment for avid paddlers.
Reasons to buy
Small size fits well in kayaks or as a personal dry bag on river trips
Carry handle and multiple lash points
Combination of ZipDry seam and roll-top
Options for padded liner and internal dividers
Consider another if
You prefer a zipper-style closure or roll-top alone
Need a backpack style dry bag for portages and travel
Budget-friendly outweighs performance in priorities
Bottom line
Watershed’s duffels have long been the dry bags kayakers have trusted to keep expensive camera gear safe.
Bombproof durability meets designer backpack. The submersible Panga 28 waterproof backpack from Yeti is an airtight fortress, as suited for wet and rough adventures as it is for a travel carry-on. We’d feel comfortable putting camera equipment or a laptop in the Panga and setting off in a monsoon. Interior storage pockets help keep small items organized. The waist belt and chest straps are a nice touch. The Panga is not a cooler, but for the price it would be cooler if it was.
Reasons to buy
Submersible IPX7 waterproof backpack
Familiar toothed zipper
Padded backrest and shoulder straps
Puncture and abrasion-resistant nylon and TPU-laminated outer construction
Interior compartments for organization
Consider another if
You need your bag moldable to storage spaces
You need a more budget-minded bag
Bottom line
The Yeti Panga backpack doesn’t mess around. If you need a bag tough enough to handle going from carry-on, to thrown on a paddleboard or boat, then hiked up a trail, the bag Panga is the tool for the job.
This lightweight waterproof backpack from Mustang Survival features roll-top closure, PVC-free ripstop nylon shell and three quick-access exterior drop-in mesh pockets with key clip. Daytrippers will appreciate the foam padded shoulder straps with adjustable sternum closure. The Highwater is the perfect size bag for a change of clothes, lunch and small essentials, and when not in use it packs almost flat.
Reasons to buy
Budget friendly waterproof backpack
Day trip backpack
Roll-top closure
Exterior pocket to place a layer or loose gear during portages
Ripstop nylon PVC-alternative
Consider another if
A heavy duty construction is top priority
You prefer the functionality of a zipper opening
Bottom line
The 22-liter Highwater is a budget-minded waterproof backpack. It works well for day trips when you want to throw a bag on your back to hike your paddleboard or canoe to the water.
With waterproof welded seam construction, a large top opening and an ultra-cushy ventilated back panel, the Blast 22 from Advanced Elements is a rugged, no-frills choice for anywhere-anytime day trips. We’d use this as a versatile day bag, side hike companion and for commuting across town. A water-resistant front zip pocket offers easy access to essentials.
Reasons to buy
Padded, vented back panel
Wide-mouth roll-top closure
Budget-friendly price tag for a waterproof backpack
Consider another if
Heavy-duty construction is a top priority
You prefer a zippered closure
Bottom line
The Blast 22-liter fulfills the essential need of a dry backpack with its simple roll-top closure. Thanks to its no frills design the price tag stays low while keeping your layers dry whether you use it for a canoe trip or morning bike commute.
Dry bag buying advice
Dry bags are available in a number of styles and constructions and which you choose depends largely on how much room you need and the type of watercraft you’ll be storing it on whether it’s a kayak, paddleboard, raft, canoe or otherwise. For example a waterproof backpack is great for travel and you can tie it into your raft or strap to the deck of your paddleboard, however it may be impossible to fit in the hatch of a sit-inside kayak. For a kayak, smaller roll-top bags may be a better choice to slide into hatches, in which case you may pick up a few for modular storage.
Choosing a style
Roll-top dry bag
These are the standard cube storage system of paddling. The opening is at the top, just like a stuffsack. They have an elongated shape and come in a variety of sizes to keep everything from a few personal items for a day trip to big enough to hold all your belongings for weeks rafting the Grand Canyon.
Dry bag backpack/rucksack
Some dry bags are built like backpacks—with either a zipper or a roll-top closure system and shoulder straps to carry the bag. These are useful when packing lots of gear that will need to be portaged around rapids or from one lake to another. Instead of lugging around a heavy duffel, you can simply load the dry bag on your back with ease.
Duffel dry bag
Duffel dry bags are useful for longer multi-day trips where you will be living out of the dry bag. When spending two or more weeks on a river, lake or ocean, it is nice to be able to open your dry bag and have everything clearly laid out in front of you. With a duffel closure system, it is easy to organize and find things in your dry bag.
Roll-top dry bags are the most common closure system for dry bags. They ensure a water-tight seal by rolling the top of the dry bag over itself several times, then buckling either end together. Simple, effective, and often the cheapest dry bag option.
Zipper-style dry bags
While all dry bags are technically “dry,” I highly recommend using a zip-top dry bag for your phone or camera. Zipper closures leave a smaller chance of error when closing the dry bag, thus ensuring a better chance of keeping everything completely dry. Smaller zipper dry bags are nice to use as kayak dry bags. They fit on your lap and provide easy access to anything you need to keep handy while paddling.
Deciding which dry bag sizes to have
5L to 15L
These smaller sizes are commonly used for day trips to carry snacks, phones, cameras and layers. They are also often carried in a kayaker’s lap on a multi-day trip to hold things that will be needed throughout the day.
16L to 30L
Dry bags in this size range are commonly stowed in the stern of a kayak, or used as a smaller gear bag attached to a SUP or raft. This is a good size for storing a sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
30L to 50L
The mid-range sizes of dry bags are good for single-night trips, or for various gear needs on a raft or SUP. These sizes won’t fit in a kayak, but are perfect for other open-topped crafts. Often coming with backpack straps, they are easy to portage and move around.
50L to 110L
Best for multi-day rafting trips, as they will not fit on a SUP or in a kayak. These dry bag sizes are perfect for carrying each crew member’s personal gear for a multi-day expedition.
Over the course of river expeditions, long-distance tours, and reporting trips we’ve packed along a wide variety of dry bags to see which hold up to the rigors and abuse of paddling. On expeditions and extended trips, a dry bag failure is catastrophic. To make our best of list, these dry bags had to be above all else reliable. Beyond this, it’s the little details, like how much easier they make life when you are exhausted or in the middle of a storm, that make the waterproof bags we’ve chosen stand out.
Brooke Hess
Why trust us
A big wave freestyle kayaker, Brooke Hess is from Missoula, Montana, and a member of the U.S. National Freestyle Kayak Team. She has completed a 1,000-mile source-to-sea journey of the Salmon River to the Pacific Ocean.
Paddling Magazine editor-in-chief Kaydi Pyette
Kaydi is the editor-in-chief of Paddling Magazine. She has a Bachelor in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University. If she’s not traversing Lake Superior by sea kayak or cold-plunging in Lake Ontario she’s poring over a map dreaming up her next paddling adventure.
Total combined volume of the dry bags featured here is 337.5 liters. Have they been filled with A) the entire contents of the editor’s linen closet, plus the pillows off her bed? Or B) four winter parkas, 11 sweaters, three sleeping bags and a small dog bed? The answer is C) All of the above. | Feature photo: Kaydi Pyette
A wave barrels at the bow of Gallaway's kayak. Tim Gallaway | YouTube
The Maine Island Trail snakes 375 miles along coastal inlets and islands on the Atlantic, from Portland up north toward the border with Canada. For paddler and coach Tim Gallaway, a Great Lakes local, the Maine Island Trail posed a major adjustment: tides.
Gallaway is an ACA instructor and Greenland rolling coach. His longest solo expedition was an 860-mile solo expedition from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to Quebec City. In 2018, he headed to Greenland to compete in the National Qajaq Championships. In 2021, Gallaway tackled a sea kayak expedition of the South Shore of Lake Superior, and in 2023 a backcountry canoe expedition in Missinabi Provincial Park. In summer 2024, Gallaway, a traditionally freshwater paddler, found himself out on the ocean for a three-week trek on the Maine Island Trail.
Challenging but forgiving: the key to growing skills
On the Great Lakes paddlers are primarily at the mercy of the wind. Out on the ocean in places like the Maine Island Trail paddlers at the mercy of the tides as well. The northern end of the Maine Island Trail approaches the edge of the Bay of Fundy, which sports the largest tidal range in the world with a maximum of 63 feet (16 meters).
“How the trip flowed with the tide was a big learning experience for me. There was very rarely a time that there wasn’t a current I could notice,” shared Gallaway.
While the Maine Island Trail never approaches the extremes of the Bay of Fundy, Gallaway reported working with a roughly 12-foot (3.6 meter) tidal range near Portland, and about a 14-foot (4.3 meter) tidal range the farther north he travelled, and up to an estimated 4-5 knot current on occasion.
Many coastal guidebooks are designed for yachts and sailboats, with shoals and dangers to larger boats marked, but with little thought given to the coastal paddler. Gallaway recommends paddlers headed out somewhere unfamiliar research beyond a google search and guidebooks.
“Find locals; I think that’s the real trick with everything. Talk to fishermen, talk to boaters, talk to sailors,” shared Gallaway. “The thing for learning an area… is to try and find a place that is challenging but also forgiving.”
Do paddlers need to get burned? Or is there a better way to learn?
Finding that sweet spot where the forgiving challenge lies— the surf break with a soft landing, the sea kayaking route with exposed conditions but ample bail out options— is often easier said than done, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for, or what you’re looking at.
“I think the big thing with judgment is learning how to observe and learning what to look for. We always talk about the Dunning-Kruger effect: you don’t know what you don’t know,” explained Gallaway.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a cognitive bias that occurs when a person’s lack of knowledge or skill in a certain field leads to them overestimating their skill within their field. Put simply, we are ignorant of our own ignorance. For Gallaway, teaching good judgement begins on land.
A wave barrels at the bow of Gallaway’s kayak. Feature Image: Tim Gallaway | YouTube
“If I’m coaching someone I like to start off standing on the shore talking about what we can see. If you understand your environment it’s a lot easier to make good judgement calls,” Gallaway shared. “If you don’t know what you’re looking at… that’s how you can get into trouble.”
For paddlers, over estimating your own skill can be extremely consequential, and the easiest way over the beginner’s hubris hump is often getting tumbled and humbled— ideally, that happens somewhere with a soft landing.
“There’s ways that you can push people and get them not burnt, but singed in a controlled environment,” shared Gallaway. “But I don’t think anything really beats getting worked while you’re alone. If you’re with people you always have a safety net. If you’re alone it gets awfully scary very quickly.”
A brush with hands-on learning
Gallaway knows a thing or two about learning risk management through hands-on experience. In chilly, early May 2010, Gallaway paddled from Grand Marais, Michigan towards Sault Ste. Marie on the South Shore of Lake Superior.
“After three days of paddling into the wind I got out to Whitefish Point…I got around the point and started pushing south, and didn’t really think about the weather too much. It was an east wind that was building across the bay,” explained Gallaway. “All those waves were funneling up against that hard edge of the point straight in. I’d been paddling for a while, I was exhausted, I was getting kind of cold, and I drifted too close to shore. I had a wave break over my head, just totally dunk me… [I] lost my water bottle off the deck, and I basically got washed into shore.”
From here, Gallaway paddled between the breaking surf and the shore for a little, an area with few people, and few places to land and camp. Before long, Gallaway found what he was looking for: a friendly person who waved at him. He made contact, paddled in and borrowed a phone. A friend of his came and picked him up while the people he’d met fed him and let him dry out.
“I didn’t have it in my head that stopping at Whitefish Point was an option. I could’ve waited for a day and been fine, or if I’d gotten stuck out at Whitefish Point I could’ve just called and had someone pick me up, but I would have done it kind of in a dignified manner… instead of walking up like a drowned rat.”
On the Maine Island Trail, Gallaway defines his own trip
More than fifteen years and several coaching certifications later, Gallaway’s trips look a little different now. On the fourth day of his trip on the Maine Island Trail, Gallaway found himself camped on an island up a river listening to a foreboding weather forecast. The forecast called for thunderstorms overnight followed by big swell and wind out of the south. Taken with the six-mile exposed approach to the pinnacle headland, the tide, and that the headland and approach itself would be exposed to the south winds and swell off the open Atlantic, conditions for rounding the point were far from ideal.
Gallaway sat and asked himself if it was really important to his trip that he round that headland.
“The answer came pretty quick and it was no. The whole idea of this trip is to explore the shoreline. I don’t have any need to prove to myself to get around it,” said Gallaway. “So I called for help.”
Gallaway called up the crew at Maine Kayak and asked if they’d run a shuttle for him across the point. The owner picked him up and essentially portaged Gallaway to the other side.
“I had a great day. I got to meet some paddlers. I got to see some areas I wouldn’t have seen otherwise,” Gallaway shared. “It was a great experience because the point of the trip wasn’t to face the biggest conditions the Atlantic can give. The whole idea was to paddle.”
Gallaway smilies after a Greenland roll. Tim Gallaway | YouTube
What are we working on today?
Many a paddler has fallen prey to the idea that a successful paddle means toughing it out through the gnarliest conditions. It can be hard to move past the idea that there is some sort of shame in waiting it out on land and glory in “sending it”, not realizing that often the mark of an experienced paddler is not just knowing when to paddle, but more importantly when not to.
“We need to do things for ourselves, that’s really what it comes down to,” shared Gallaway. “Not everyone wants to race. Not everyone wants to roll a dozen different ways. That’s kind of the wonder of the sport. We can go out and take photos of birds; we can go out fishing. We can go out and expedition for days at a time— none of that’s wrong, it’s just different.”
For Gallaway, it starts with him standing in the water next to his students and a simple question:
“What are we working on today?”
Gallaway will be speaking at the 2025 Canoecopia event in Madison, Wisconsin at 2:30 pm on Saturday, March 8 to share about solo kayaking the Maine Island Trail.
The number of kayaks available today is astonishing. The kayak is at least 4,000 years old and was invented as a productive means to secure food and travel. Fast forward to 2025, and millions of people take to the water every year using kayaks for various reasons, including our modern necessity—yearning to spend time outdoors and recreate.
However, the conundrum we find ourselves in is the number of options and just which kayak is the best. It’s a nearly impossible question to answer. Boats have become specialized to different waterways and styles of paddling, but ultimately, the kayak you choose should serve the majority of your needs.
Something I’ll admit as a writer at Paddling Mag is that I could never choose just one form of kayaking, nor just one kayak. I’ll count this burden as fortunate though to aid in the decision-making of others. By paddling everything from lightweight inflatables to elaborate fishing kayaks, whitewater river runners, and seaworthy touring kayaks, I’ve gained a sense of what works and what doesn’t. This isn’t to say there aren’t other kayaks we could have added to the list. Contributors and editors along with myself have field tested dozens of kayaks through the years, and each we’ve spent time paddling has its strengths best suited to waterways and certain types of kayaking. The goal of the picks I’ve chosen here as the best kayak is as much to share with you what to look for in a kayak to fit your needs, as it is to point out the specific kayaks selected here.
Sit-on-top kayaks are some of the finest boats a beginner could consider. They are generally made wider than sit-insides—providing additional stability—and you aren’t enclosed within the cockpit of a kayak. The biggest reason sit-on-tops are some of the best beginner kayaks is if you do happen to fall out or capsize, you can just climb back on. These are all great attributes shared among sit-on-tops, so what makes the Caribbean 10 stand out? Plenty.
The Caribbean 10 is a thermoform plastic kayak—meaning the sheets of molded plastic are fused together to form the deck and hull. Thermoform plastic kayaks can be made light, and at just 40 pounds, the Caribbean is substantially light for a sit-on-top considering a rotomolded plastic kayak of comparable size and outfitting can weigh more than 50 or 60 pounds. This makes it reasonable to lift and carry on your own. Combine this with the fact it is 10 feet long, and you could easily put the boat in the back of a pickup truck or even fit inside an SUV. The 10-foot length also gives the boat a nice balance of attributes. It is just long enough to have some speed, and the V-hull helps it track. Yet, the shorter hull length, and shallow-V also let the kayak spin some, making it easier to turn on a river. At 29 inches wide, it still provides the stability recreational sit-on-tops are known for.
The Caribbean 10 also has a dry hatch at the front to store gear or food, and a well with bungees to stow gear behind you. Top it off with sliding footbraces and a comfortable seat, and you have a beginner sit-on-top at the top of its class.
Reasons to buy
Lightweight sit-on-top that is less effort to lift and carry
Fits in the bed of a truck or inside an SUV if you don’t have roof racks.
10 feet long and 29 inches wide to provide a length-to-width ratio which is stable but can cover ground on lakes and slow rivers
More convenient than a sit-inside to get back in should you flip
Open deck is easy to climb on and off of for folks with mobility issues
Consider another if
You prefer the enclosed style of a sit-inside
You plan to cover longer distances or more exposed waters where longer hull touring kayaks would be appropriate
Your local river includes some whitewater
Bottom line
In a crowded field of sit-on-tops the Caribbean stands out as a superb choice well suited for beginners and any recreational paddler who enjoys casual days of kayaking.
The Pungo 120 is one of the most popular recreational kayaks of the past few decades, and as the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” What makes the Pungo such a well-loved sit-inside kayak for recreational use is the combination of a few details put together to create an enjoyable boat to paddle.
The Pungo 120 is 12 feet long, and while it has enough width to provide stability, it manages to provide some of the elongated profile of a touring kayak to cover ground and have secondary stability. The 12-foot length, shallow V-hull, and keeled stern help the boat track in a straight line. And the boat provides a good sense of stability when it is sitting flat or leaning.
The Pungo features customizable bungee storage, the popular cockpit storage plate, and a stern dry hatch, so you have plenty of space to pack lunch and extra layers on your day trip. The stern dry hatch also means there is a sealed bulkhead between the paddler area and the storage. This helps a sit-inside kayak stay buoyant in the event of a capsize, and bulkheads like this are the mark of a well-designed sit-inside.
Reasons to buy
12-foot design provides good tracking and stability for beginner and recreational paddlers
Multiple storage points
Wide cockpit area is convenient to climb in and out of
Comfortable seat
Dry hatch bulkhead provides buoyancy should you capsize
Consider another if
You’d prefer a kayak lighter than 50 pounds
The open concept of a sit-on-top kayak would be more enjoyable or easier for you to enter and exit
You are looking for a faster kayak or one intended for handling rougher conditions
Bottom line
Whether you are a beginner or recreational paddler who enjoys calmer stretches of water, the Pungo has proven for years it is a sound choice for a sit-inside kayak.
A 12-and-a-half-foot-long inflatable you can take across the lake or down the river, and can be set up as a solo or tandem kayak—could the Sea Eagle 370 get any better? Yes, in fact, thanks to the price tag of just a few hundred dollars.
Sea Eagle is a 50-year-old kayak company based out of New York State. They offer higher-build inflatables, but for the value seeker, it’s hard to match the 370. The subtle components of the 370 are what make it stand out from other low-cost kayaks, including one-way valves for full inflation, a peaked bow and stern, and durable in-class material.
Reasons to buy
Costs start below $400 USD
Inflatable rolls up for transport and provides stable feel for beginner paddlers
Peaked bow and stern cut through some waves and chop
One-way valve allows for rigid inflation
Consider another if
The rigidity and performance of a sit-on-top or sit-inside recreational kayak would be preferable or required for use over an inflatable
You plan to tackle whitewater regularly beyond class II
Rivers are where inflatable kayaks shine. The dynamic currents of fast moving water mean flips, swims, and a healthy dose of humility are par for the course when you decide to get into whitewater kayaking. Inflatable kayaks however, make the sport more approachable by being wide, stable, buoyant and easier to self-recover into crafts, allowing more people to ride through wave trains and drift through pools to take in the scenery. I’ve paddled a long list of inflatable kayaks over the past 20 years of running rivers and many do the job well, but the Nyce Haul provides an experience that stands out.
The Haul takes on the shape of an elongated raft and feels stable as it smashes through rapids. It can be paddled as a tandem or solo kayak. The outfitting is simple yet thoughtfully considered. My favorite part of the Haul though is the drop-stitched floor. This floor gives the boat a rigidity similar to an inflatable stand-up paddleboard. Not only does the rigid floor help the boat glide across the water, and punch through features, it also opens up the ability to use the Haul as a standing platform to fish as you drift. The floor is also not permanently sewn in, which means it can be easily replaced or repaired, but also, if you should go over some shallow rocks, it can flex to avoid damage in the first place.
Reasons to buy
Fun and comfortable hitting rapids or floating a lazy river
Deciding on the foldable kayak to make this list, I could have gone in two directions. One is the boat most embodying the portable needs of intrepid paddlers capable of reaching remote places. The other? The most convenient, making paddling accessible to anyone. I chose the latter, and the Oru Inlet.
The first time I paddled the Inlet was an afternoon on the south side of Staten Island. I walked a few hundred feet with the kayak, in its 20-pound folded form resembling an art portfolio, to a gravel beach on Raritan Bay. Within seven minutes, I had the kayak set up and ready to launch for the first time. On the water it was more stable than I expected. At under 10 feet, the light little boat was zippier than I would have believed. The Inlet shows the brand’s success in the progression of its goal to get people kayaking without the physical dimensions of a boat as an obstacle. If you add in the available backpack, it truly feels reasonable you could take the Inlet by bus, train, ferry or car to any calm or slow stretch of water for an afternoon paddle.
Reasons to buy
The 20-pound, 10-foot-long kayak packs into itself to the size of luggage
Intuitive to set up within minutes
Stable and zippy, considering how light it is
Consider another if
Your aspirations with a folding kayak involve open water crossings and remote destinations
A hardshell (plastic or composite) kayak better suits the performance you are after or have the space for
You plan to tackle whitewater where an inflatable would be a better packable choice
Bottom line
If you’re in search of a unicorn recreational kayak to paddle calm lakes and bays or slow rivers, while being able to store under a bed, the Inlet is the folding kayak you’ve been looking for.
When editor-at-large Virginia Marshall reviewed the Nigel Dennis Explorer, she described it as the boat best exemplifying the characteristics of the modern expedition kayak. When Marshall composed her choices for the best touring kayaks, she doubled-down on those words by naming the Explorer her favorite expedition boat out there.
The 17-foot 6-inch-long British-style interpretation of a traditional Greenlandic kayak has a refined look and upswept bow and stern ready to make headway on your most ambitious paddling endeavors. The interior storage has space for trips reaching well beyond a long weekend, but with hatches sized to take a wave with low risk of implosion. Even when loaded to the brim for 10 days, Marshall found the Explorer able to maintain speed and handle confused seas with composure. It’s no wonder the boat is a popular choice for circumnavigations and crossings in some of the world’s burliest corners.
Reasons to buy
You want an expedition ready kayak you will still enjoy paddling on shorter trips.
A hull and rocker profile made to maximize touring efficiency in rough waters.
Custom colors, hatches and layups, including weight-saving carbon/Kevlar.
Consider another if
Your camping kit includes items like a suitcase stove, barrel and Dutch oven.
You prefer a highly adjustable seat system to a minimalist cockpit.
Bottom line
The Explorer is a dependable touring kayak that has set a benchmark for the expedition minded.
What I remember most about the Jackson Flow after my first time sitting in it, was not how I could feel certain differences in the way it handled compared to my other boats, or an adjustment of getting used to its character. The first time I took the Flow on the water, what stood out was the opposite. From the first stroke I took with Flow, it was a kayak where I felt I could do what I wanted when I wanted to. In whitewater, this immediate sense of unison between you and your boat is perhaps the most sought after feeling there could be.
The Flow was Jackson’s attempt to recalibrate the Gnarvana for paddlers on everyday river runs. In my mind, the boat succeeded in this goal and more. If you are a class II-III paddler looking for the trusty steed to up your game, or want a sporty boat for your favorite class V gorge without being buried up to your nose in rocker and volume, the Flow is for you. Set a line, surf, lean and boof, the Flow feels in rhythm to do it all.
Reasons to buy
The volume around the paddler and easy-to-maneuver hull are confidence-inducing on whitewater.
Slimmed down compared to the Jackson Gnarvana and other high-volume river runners to feel sporty for advanced whitewater paddlers and user-friendly for newer ones
The outfitting, especially the Bees Knees thigh braces, can be adjusted on the fly
Consider another if
Most your time is spent on lakes and slow rivers and you only plan to paddle occasional class I or II whitewater
You are looking to play the river with a freestyle kayak or half-slice
Your daily river run is regularly featured in films distributed by energy drinks
Bottom line
The Flow made the top of our list of the best whitewater kayaks overall for good reason.
As you’ve noticed by now, there are a number of options when choosing a kayak. The top selections made above are as much to recommend these specific kayaks as they are to point out some of the attributes which make them suitable for different types of paddling.
The first thing to figure out when choosing a boat is what type of kayaking you plan to do, and from here you can learn what type of kayak you need. On small lakes, slow moving rivers, and protected bays, a sit-on-top or sit-inside recreational kayak, or even an inflatable, will provide a good all around choice. While if your ambitions include open water crossing or advanced whitewater the kayaks become more specialized for safety and capability.
Once you’ve decided what type of kayak you’d like, you’ll next think about the hull shapes available, whether you’d like a tandem or solo, and then what size kayak is recommended based on the specifications of a few boats you are interested in.
Above all else, the best way to make your choice is to get a hold of a shop or club and see if you can test paddle a kayak or attend a demo event where a group of your prospects are available. Time on the water will tell the truth if a kayak is a right fit for what you’d like to use it for, and also, just as a bike needs to be adjusted for each rider, these testing opportunities usually have someone who can show you how to have the seat, footpegs, and other outfitting components adjusted for you, which makes an incredibly significant difference in how a kayak feels to sit in and paddle.
The kayaks in this article were chosen through accumulated years of field experience with numerous models and the input of our contributors through our extensive boat reviews.
Paddling Magazine digital editor Joe Potoczak.
Why trust us
Our digital editor Joe Potoczak is a self-proclaimed paddler of anything that floats. Over the past 25 years, he has kayaked rivers, lakes and along coasts on four continents. He’ll never forget the boat that started it all—a Mainstream Tropic II from Costco.
The 20th annual Paddling Film Festival World Tour kicked off in Mississauga, Ontario, on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Showcasing the world’s best paddling films—including this year’s 10 award winners—the festival celebrates adventure storytelling on the water.
Hosted by The Complete Paddler at its new Dundas Street storefront, the premiere event drew sold-out crowds for three consecutive nights. Attendees were the first to experience the year’s top paddling films on the big screen. Proceeds from these three screenings support Project Canoe, a nonprofit that provides at-risk youth with educational and therapeutic outdoor experiences, primarily through summer wilderness canoe trips.
Want to see the world’s best paddling films on the big screen? Find a World Tour screening near you here.
Read on to discover the award winners in 10 categories and this year’s shortlisted films.
2025 Paddling Film Festival Winners
FOLLOW THE WATER
A BAFFIN VACATION, LOVE ON ICE
WE STAND TOGETHER
Best Sea Kayaking Film
WILD SEA
Category sponsor: BoréalDesign
Wild Sea is a captivating short documentary that delves into the life of Jeff Allen, a trailblazing figure in the world of sea kayaking. The film traces Jeff’s journey from his formative years to his role as one of the foremost sea kayak guides and coaches of our time. The film illuminates the transformative power of the sea as Jeff finds purpose and healing through his connection with the ocean. In particular, his 2004 Japan circumnavigation serves as a poignant testament to the healing power of nature.
Director & Producer: Tom Vetterl
Best Adventure Travel Film
¡AY CHIHUAHUA!
Category sponsor: Kokatat
Expedition kayakers take on the mile-deep Barranca Candameña in the Wild West of Chihuahua, Mexico. At the put-in, with heavy rain filling the river, the team weighs the danger of flash floods and the specter of narcos against their goal to be the first to descend one of the most spectacular canyons on earth by kayak.
Director: Benjamin David Stookesberry
Best SUP Film
RUNNABLE
Category sponsor: Dryrobe
Join Cameron Hopkin and Sam Garthwaite as they navigate the thrilling world of whitewater paddleboarding, sharing their personal stories, triumphs and dreams for the future of this adrenaline-fueled sport. Witness the beauty of nature and the power of human determination in this inspiring documentary that will leave you craving adventure and pushing your own boundaries. Get ready to dive into the heart-pounding action and heartfelt reflections of Runnable.
Director & Producer: Jake Garthwaite
BETWEEN THE LINES
CAPSIZED
THE SURVIVAL OF THE WOOD CANOE
Best Rafting Film
BETWEEN THE LINES
Category sponsor: AIRE
This film is a moving reflection on what it means to be connected to the water, fish, and one’s truest expression of self. The river is a thread woven in and out of Alex Obregon’s life since he was three weeks old. While working as a raft guide in southern Chile, Alex found his love of fly fishing by way of whitewater, and simultaneously deepened his appreciation and understanding of all the spaces and species a river holds.
Director & Producer: Liz McGregor
Best Documentary Film
CAPSIZED
Category sponsor: Canadian Canoe Museum
Some dream of summiting the highest peaks, visiting a remote island or being the fastest to navigate a route. But not Emily. She dreams of esoteric adventure and of dragging a canoe across a bog. Enlisting her friend, the pair set off to navigate the Isle of Lewis’ intricate system of lochs. But finding the right kit can be a challenge for Emily. When outdoor shops only stock technical clothing up to a size 16, how is adventure possible for the 45 percent of women in the United Kingdom who wear larger sizes?
Director: Roxanna Barry | Producer: Harriet Sykes
Best Canoeing Film
THE SURVIVAL OF THE WOOD CANOE
Category sponsor: Esquif
People around the world have traveled in canoes they have proudly made themselves since time began. The Survival of the Wood Canoe chronicles the adventures of one couple who, over 50 years, built a business based on teaching the art of canoe-building. Ted Moores and his partner, Joan Barrett, are trailblazers in the growing sphere of DIY craftspeople, helping people realize their dreams of building truly beautiful and functional boats.
Director & Producer: Joan Barrett
A GUIDE TO FIGHTING FOR WILD RIVERS
STREAMERS, STEAMERS AND STRUGGLES ON THE KRKA
Best Environmental Paddling Film
A GUIDE TO FIGHTING FOR WILD RIVERS
Category sponsor: Kokopelli
In 2012, OARS joined forces with American Rivers and Friends of the Yampa to host an annual Yampa River Awareness Project river trip. Join a transformative rafting journey along the free-flowing Yampa River and see what could be lost if the river is threatened by a major dam, diversion or dewatering project. A Guide to Fighting for Wild Rivers illustrates how immersing people in a river’s beauty and sharing its ecological significance fosters deep, personal connections that inspire long-term conservation.
Director: Logan Bockrath | Producer: OARS
Best Kayak Fishing Film
STREAMERS, STEAMERS AND STRUGGLES ON THE KRKA
Category sponsor: The Safer Paddling Campaign
Four kayakers (ab)use rafting as a means to catch fish on Slovenia’s chalk stream called Krka. Casting flies amongst castles and cattails, this became the arena for a gruelling competition that applied pressure of all kinds.
For years, professional kayaker Aniol Serrasolses has dreamed of running the rivers and waterfalls formed by melting ice caps and gigantic glaciers. Accompanied by a team of expert kayakers and Arctic guides, he ventures into one of the most remote and rugged regions of the planet: Svalbard. Amidst the Arctic’s otherworldly landscapes, reality is about to surpass his wildest dreams.
Director: David Arnaud
Best Short Film
MOTHER RIVER
Category sponsor: Madawaska Kanu Centre
A look into Devin Brown’s life as she attempts to be the first Black female on record to kayak the entire Mississippi River, from source to sea.
Director: Jeremiah Schuster
2025 Paddling Film Festival Shortlist
Find out which films are touring in this year’s Paddling Film Festival below.
A Guide To Fighting For Wild Rivers
¡Ay Chihuahua!
Between the Lines
Beyond The Edge
Canyon Chorus
Capsized
Cinque Terre – Five Lands
Ganga Girls
hitoláayca (Going Upriver)
Ice Waterfalls
Makapo
Mississippi Speed Record: An Epic Adventure
Mother River
River Cowboys: Keepin’ it Wild
Runnable
SBONELO
Streamers, Steamers and Struggles on the Krka
The Crossing: Through Blue
The Great Divide
The Last of the Last
The Smoke That Thunders
The Survival Of The Wood Canoe
The Wintering Grounds (Special Jury Mention)
Tibet: Mission Impossible
Van by a River – The Abby Holcombe Story
Wild Sea
Want to join in the fun and get the big screen experience? Find a World Tour event near you.
Prefer to watch these award-winning films from the comfort of your home? Stream all shortlisted films and more via Paddling Magazine TV, the premier streaming platform for paddling enthusiasts.
Thank you to our 2025 Paddling Film Festival World Tour partners who contribute to the energy and sustainability of the Paddling Film Festival. Without their support the World Tour would not be possible.
A kayaker explores the sea caves on Sand Island in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Bayfield, Wisconsin. Image: Maddy Marquardt
At the northernmost point of Wisconsin lies the Apostle Islands—a chain of 21 federally-protected islands home to beachfront camping, crystal clear waters of Lake Superior, and unique sandstone sea caves. While gorgeous, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore also poses a big risk for paddlers, with Lake Superior’s icy water capable of giving hypothermia year-round and sea states often closer to that of an ocean than a lake.
Within the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore the popular Meyers Beach acts as a gateway to the Meyers Beach sea caves— a popular “bucket-list” paddle for many, prone to large waves and conditions that can be difficult for the untrained eye to discern from the protected bay and the beach. There have been several fatal kayak incidents from this launch point, as well as a number of other fatal incidents throughout the park. The allure of red sandstone sea caves and clear green water can be hard for visitors to reckon with the risks.
Enter the seasonal ranger:
Visitors may be on their own this summer without guidance from National Park Rangers
At Meyers Beach, a friendly ranger waits with a pair of binoculars, a radio, the weather report and a smile to help prospective paddlers understand what they’re in for out on the lake. The rangers spot and talk with every paddler heading out on the lake to check for PFDs, sea kayaks with bulkheads, marine radios, spare paddles, and familiarity with the lake, and rescue knowledge. While the rangers don’t stop anyone from launching, they are there to educate and potentially redirect unprepared paddlers.
A kayaker explores the sea caves on Sand Island in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Bayfield, Wisconsin. Image: Maddy Marquardt
It’s hard to truly quantify the impact in lives saved and rescues prevented by the seasonal rangers in the Apostle Islands; statistics on things that could have happened are impossible to collect.
In the upcoming 2025 paddling season, visitors may be on their own.
Under U.S. President Trump’s push to cut federal spending, 3,400 recent hires of the U.S. Forest Service were laid off on February 14, with the National Park Service planning to terminate 1,000 workers. In addition, seasonal ranger’s jobs still hang in limbo with hiring offers for the 2025 summer season rescinded due to the federal hiring freeze.
Federal News Network reports that the National Park Service likely employs 7,000 to 8,000 seasonal employees. In the Apostle Islands there are about 38 full-time employees and two dozen seasonal staff according to Jeff Rennicke, Executive Director of Friends of the Apostle Islands.
“Seasonal workers in the Apostle Islands are the heart and soul, the boots on the ground, the paddles in the water of our national parks and lakeshores,” shared Rennicke.
Rennicke also shared that in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, seasonal workers roles also include skilled carpenters and electricians, people who help when paddlers get stuck in storms or lost, and search and rescue. Seasonal workers in the park pick up garbage, clear the trails, pump the outhouses, and warn you if there are bears in the area or other hazards.
“It’s the people who interpret the very values that the park was designated to protect in the first place,” said Rennicke. “The national parks are more than just scenery and the people who put the meaning behind that in large part is the seasonal workforce of the park service.”
A sea kayaker in Cathedral Arch at the Meyers beach caves in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Image: Maddy Marquardt
In the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and beyond cutting seasonal rangers could have deadly consequences
Notably in fall 2024, shortly after the rangers left for the season, the Coast Guard responded to an incident at the Meyers Beach caves involving capsized canoeists.
In August 2021, three National Park Rangers as well as Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Warden responded to a harrowing incident along the Meyers Beach caves, when 5-8 ft waves left 11 kayakers stranded on a shallow rock shelf. Prior to both of these incidents, the Meyers Beach caves and greater Apostle Islands alike have seen a number of fatal kayak accidents, including an incident and recovery effort involving the death of a father and three children attempting to cross between islands in 2018 that made national news.
“At national parks and national park sites not everyone visiting necessarily has a lot of outdoor experience or does a lot of trip planning or reading about what they’re about to do,” shared Melanie, a former NPS seasonal ranger in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. “The big thing that the rangers do is they’re a source of information for what to expect while you’re in the park— what kind of weather conditions to expect, what kind of gear you need, what would be a good fit for your skill level.”
The National Parks are a massive attraction for visitors, with the National Park Service reporting 325.5 million recreation visits in 2023.
“These parks are such a huge draw for a lot of casual outdoor people, or people who just don’t have a lot of outdoor experience. If you take the rangers away you’re taking away that knowledge and that safety barrier,” explained Melanie.
When it comes to the impacts of the federal hiring freeze on National Parks, Rennicke warned it may already be too late to reverse some of the damage when it comes to trust between former park rangers and the federal government.
“The uncertainty level is extremely high, the morale is not real high and so I don’t think we can say ‘oh yeah they’re all going to jump back in and be there when we need it’,” said Rennicke. “Some of the damage in that regard is already done.”
National parks and how we treat them reflect on all of us
Beyond their value for recreation, National Parks also have dramatic economic importance for the communities around them. Great Smoky Mountains National Park saw 13 million visitors in 2023, making it the most visited park in that year, with an estimated cumulative benefit to the local economy of $3.4 billion. Meanwhile the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore saw 247,167 visitors in the same year, but even smaller park sites have a huge impact on local communities.
“The annual budget for Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is $3.5 million,” shared Rennicke. “The estimated economic benefit to local communities because of the park is $44.4 million. That means there’s a 1,305% return on investment from our park. That’s not inefficiency, that’s not government waste.”
Before his tenure as Executive Director at Friends of the Apostle Islands, Rennicke worked as a travel writer for National Geographic and travelled much of the world.
“The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is truly and completely home to me. It’s a place that speaks not only in beauty but in history and adventure and stories,” explained Rennicke. “Our national parks are the envy of the world. When we hold up a national park we’re holding up what’s best about our landscapes, our history and ourselves and that reflects on all of us the way that we treat them.”
Rennicke went on to emphasize the importance of supporting National Parks partner organizations.
“I think it’s important that people recognize there are 450 support organizations, partner organizations that work with the National Park Service across the country,” shared Rennicke. “I direct people to the National Park Friends Alliance. We help people help the park, so it’s obviously a very important and direct way to go about things.”
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an all-time pro, we have all been there. When gearing up at the put-in or planning the next adventure, it’s only a matter of time before someone pops the question: “What class is it?” The answer, based on a rapid rating scale, is a spark to the flames of debate.
Understanding the rapid classification system
Around the globe, the International Scale of River Difficulty (ISRD) is the most commonly used system of rating whitewater rapids. This scale was created by American Whitewater and uses Roman numerals I to VI as classes or grades to indicate the level of difficulty and consequence of rapids. There are other established systems—for example, the Grand Canyon rating system uses rapid classes 1 to 10—however, the ISRD is the most widely used.
Dane Jackson on a chill class V or big class IV—it depends who you ask. | Photo: Kalob Grady
The International Scale of River Difficulty
Class I: Easy
Easy difficulty with low consequences. Smooth water with a clear passage through slight current or ruffles; can have gentle curves. No gradient loss. No hazards present or maneuvering required.
Class II: Novice
Moderate difficulty with low consequences. Moving water with identifiable rapids and regular waves; clear passages exist between rocks and hazards. Minimal gradient loss. Some maneuvering is required.
Class III: Intermediate
Moderate difficulty and some consequences. Fast water with standing waves; rocks, eddies and hazards exist with clear passages through narrower channels. Some gradient loss. Maneuvering is required.
Class IV: Advanced
Hard, with major consequences. Long and/or powerful rapids with dynamic features; rocks, recirculating hydraulics, boiling eddies and other hazards. Significant gradient loss. Precise maneuvering required.
Waterfalls are impressive to witness, but vertical drop alone does not a class V make. Lost Paddle is a multi-stage class V rapid on the Upper Gauley River with undercut rock formations throughout. | Photo: Cara Giannone
Class V: Expert
Very hard, with major consequences. Long and powerful rapids with dynamic features; rocks, recirculating hydraulics, boiling eddies and other hazards. Substantial and continuous gradient loss. Exact maneuvering required.
Class VI: Expert +
Previously considered un-navigable rapids. Unavoidable hazards and extreme consequences. Substantial gradient loss.
How to use the International Scale of River Difficulty
The ISRD is not an exact science. It’s subjective and should be treated as a guideline. An approaching rapid can’t be represented with a single numeral anyways. The reality is there are human factors—experience, confidence, pride, social dynamics, what craft you are using—unique to each paddler. And also, natural factors—water level, recent floods, landslides—unique to every run down every river.
In the words of Heraclitus: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for its not the same river, and he’s not the same man.” Subjectivity, current conditions and social dynamics can lead any discussion on river scale and classification into a never-ending cycle of opinions, arguments and confusion.
Class IV Heinzerling exemplifies the long, technical boulder gardens of the Upper Youghiogheny River’s rapids. | Photo: Cara Giannone
To further complicate the interpretation of the ISRD, rapids commonly have multiple maneuvers and a variety of hazards or consequences, and a river is often made up of many rapids.
Do you grade the rapid on the consequence or the difficulty, or a combination of both? If the river is filled with class III rapids but has one class V rapid, is the river graded on the quantity of class III rapids, or defined by the one more technical and consequential rapid?
It depends on who you ask. The what-if scenarios are endless, and the ever-changing environment of the river ensures every what-if scenario will be different.
So, if it’s impossible to analyze the difficulty and consequences of every rapid and convey those observations into a single, meaningful number, what’s the point? Well, it’s a starting place.
Class II and III rapids feature well defined chutes and hazards avoided with some maneuvering. | Photo: Colin Field
A universal language for rapid classes
The ISRD can be an exceedingly valuable tool. It allows two paddlers from separate regions with diverse backgrounds and different experience levels to paddle together for a day.
The two can’t fully comprehend what lies ahead based on the ISRD alone, but what they can get is a vague idea of what to expect and do their best to prepare accordingly.
It’s the foundation for expectations. Rivers in kayaking, like ski slopes in snow sports, vary in difficulty and consequence. In snow sports, the established system ranges from green circle to double black diamond and skiers and snowboarders alike begin to understand the intensity of each run. In kayaking, we similarly use the ISRD, to understand what might lie downstream.
Crystal is one of the most widely-recognized waterfalls in the Northeast U.S. which American Whitewater rates as a class V+. | Photo: Scott Martin
In thinking about—and overthinking—the current classes for whitewater rapids, and all of the inconsistencies, the purpose of the scale is served. The scale should never be used as the sole tool in deciding what rivers and rapids are right for you.
Difficulty versus consequence
Difficulty does not always reflect consequence, and the consequence does not always reflect difficulty. Calling a rapid “a chill class V” or “a big class IV” does not change the physical rapid; the terms only change our expectations and our perception. Some will underrate a rapid not to scare a friend, others will overrate a rapid to inflate their egos, and others still will give you their honest classification and be wrong in your opinion.
Used best, the ISRD is a base to gain knowledge about a river. Use its classification to honestly assess if you possess the necessary technical skills in the right range to enjoy a day on the river. Be skeptical and ask questions when receiving information and be more descriptive than a single numeral when sharing information.
No matter what scale you are using or sport you are enjoying, knowing your own skills, your team’s, and being aware of the appropriate water levels are the best tools for success.
While packrafting on the coast in Patagonian Chile near the San Isidro Lighthouse with his father, 19-year-old Adrian Simancas was swallowed by a humpback whale.
Packrafter who spent three seconds in a humpback whale’s mouth speaks about the ordeal
In the video, Adrian was paddling without issue when the whale surfaced directly beneath him. He disappeared from the video, only to surface just a few seconds later followed shortly by his packraft, as if spit out.
“Yes I thought it had already eaten me and swallowed me,” Adrian told The Independent in an interview. “But of course I felt that maybe it was a killer whale. We had been talking about orcas shortly before, so I had that in my head. But when I got out I understood that, of course, it was probably out of curiosity that the whale had approached me or maybe to communicate something.”
Dell Simancas, Adrian’s father, was also out on the water and filmed the ordeal.
“When I turn around I don’t see Adrian, my partner, my son,” shared Dell. “I don’t see him and I don’t see the boat. So I was surprised and worried. And then I see him come to the surface and after him the boat comes to the surface. And then I see a body part of a body part of the whale.”
After Adrain emerged Dell towed his son to safety.
“And when I got out and started to float there I was really afraid that something would happen to my dad too. That we would’ve have reached the shore in time and I would get hypothermia,” added Adrain.
Thankfully both packrafters survived the ordeal without further incident.
Can a humpback whale swallow a person?
Humpback whales are not exactly known for attacks on humans— in fact, they don’t even eat marine mammals! Humpback whales filter feed on krill and small fish, often using a variety of techniques including group bubble feeding where multiple humpbacks use bubbles to corral prey. Additionally, a humpback whale’s throat is only about the size of your fist, making it technically impossible for a humpback to swallow a person, though it could perhaps still be argued that from the packrafter’s point of view he was undoubtedly engulfed and swallowed.
This is not the first time paddlers have had close encounters with humpback whales; in 2020 off Avila Beach in California kayakers were nearly swallowed when a humpback surfaced beneath them.
In 2015, a humpback whale breaching and landing on top of his kayak launched Tom Mustill’s fascination with human and animal interactions, leading to the 2022 publication of his book How To Speak Whale.
In Patagonian Chile, a packrafter is nearly swallowed by a humpback whale. Feature Image: The Independent | YouTube.
The NRS Lucid PFD is new to the market in Spring 2025, implementing NRS’s new Orbit Fit technology and more variety in sizing.
We caught up with Megan Kieninger from NRS to learn more about the new PFD at the 2024 PTC Colab.
A look inside the NRS Lucid
The NRS Lucid is similar in design to the NRS Ambient with nearly identical front platforms. The primary difference in the new Lucid is mesh back, making the Lucid the ideal choice for hot-weather paddlers or paddlers using high-backed seats.
“When it’s on, it feels like it’s giving you a hug,” shared Kieninger from NRS.
Additionally the new Orbit Fit technology includes curved foam panels within the PFD as opposed to the traditional flat pieces of foam that paddlers cinch with straps to fit their bodies. The Lucid also features the new Every Body Design; where traditionally the primary difference in PFD sizes is the straps, the Every Body Design includes different sized foam profiles for each size of PFD.
On February 12, 2025. it was announced that Eddyline Kayaks was acquired by Jackson Kayak. | Photo: Eddyline Kayaks
Jackson Kayak announced on February 12, the acquisition of Eddyline Kayaks, an industry leader in thermoformed lightweight recreational and touring kayaks. Eddyline will move production to Jackson’s headquarters in Sparta, Tennessee, and the two companies’ combined lineup will now span fishing, whitewater, touring and recreational paddling.
Eddyline joins Jackson Kayak’s expanding business
“We’ve always built kayaks for the love of the water and the adventure it brings,” said Peter Hausin, CEO of Jackson Kayak. “Eddyline shares that same passion, and together, we’re creating opportunities for paddlers of all kinds to get on the water and make memories.”
“Eddyline has always been about crafting beautiful, thermoformed lightweight kayaks that connect people to the water,” added Eddyline President Scott Holley. “We’re excited to carry that tradition forward alongside the Jackson team.” Holley will stay on as Head of Sales for Eddyline.
Eddyline’s legacy of quality and craftsmanship will continue at Jackson’s advanced manufacturing facility, ensuring every kayak delivers the same performance and durability paddlers have come to love, according to a press release announcing the deal.
“I’m very grateful for the entire Jackson team and the tremendous effort they’ve put into this, particularly CEO Peter Hausin, who along with his team worked through a lot of obstacles to get this done,” Holley said in an exclusive interview with Paddling Business. “I’m excited for the future of these three brands together.”
Much of Jackson Kayak’s early success was attributed to its strides in producing youth kayaks. Today the company has acquired legacy paddling brands including Werner Paddles and Eddyline Kayaks. | Photo: Jackson Kayak
Holley believes the combined brands will gain efficiencies in everything from manufacturing to technology and dealer support.
“First and foremost, servicing retailers is going to be a heck of a lot easier,” Holley said. “Eddyline and Jackson both value the independent retailer community and being together means that we have more resources to do that. That includes everything from shipping boats across multiple categories and brands for more efficiency, to having shared resources with design and production.”
Hausin agrees. “This is what’s been missing for us here at Jackson,” he said in a statement to Paddling Business. “It’s a fabulous product and it’s exciting to see how all of this is coming together, especially seeing Werner and Eddyline getting back to their shared origins.” Jackson acquired Werner paddles in May 2024.
The Eddyline-Werner connection dates to 1973, when Eddyline founder Tom Derrer began building touring kayaks designed by Werner Furrer Sr., the patriarch of Werner Paddles. Derrer’s pursuit of better sea kayaks led him to experiment with advanced laminating techniques such as vacuum bagging and, starting in 1994, thermoformed plastic.
The technology provided a middle ground for touring boats, somewhere between the rotomolded plastic boats that were beginning to dominate sales volume and far more expensive composite sea kayaks. Eddyline has been a leader in thermoformed kayaks ever since. Eddyline, which moved production to Mexico in 2021, will now share factory space with Jackson and Werner in Sparta, Tennessee, the long-time seat of Jackson Kayak.
Werner Furrer Jr., an early designer for Eddyline, seen here trolling for salmon in 1975, was well ahead of the kayak fishing curve. | Photo: Courtesy Werner
Together with Jackson Kayak, Werner Paddles and Eddyline, the commitment to growing the paddling community, protecting our waterways, and all the fun that comes with time on the water is better poised than ever before, stated the Jackson Kayak press release. This partnership isn’t just about business—it’s about creating more opportunities for everyone to embrace the joy of kayaking.
“I think really the synergies are kind of endless,” Holley said. “We really don’t compete against each other in the marketplace. It’s very different customers and very different paddlers that end up buying a Jackson versus an Eddyline.”
This article was first published in the 2024 issue of Paddling Business. 
