While most paddlers dream of whale sightings, dolphins, and other romantic cetaceans, Rupert Kirkwood found himself surrounded by marine wildlife of a different kind. On a sunny morning paddling in Devon, England, Rupert had a close encounter with a school of leaping bluefin tuna; a moment caught on camera by Rupert’s son wildlife filmmaker Henry Kirkwood.
The Lone Kayaker: exploring southwest England’s wildlife by paddle
Rupert goes by The Lone Kayaker on social media, and has been around animals all his life. He worked as a farm vet in West Devon before taking an early retirement due to an injury, then dove headfirst into the world of paddling in southwest England– and the world of wildlife near his home.
“I have kayaked every inch of the coast of SW England, from Poole to Minehead, all 1156 miles of it,” Rupert wrote in his blog. “Yes, it really is that far if you paddle up every creek as far as you can get at high tide, and out to every island. Also 2,000 miles in Scotland, and short jaunts in Spain, USA, Mexico, Greenland, Chile, and Antarctica.”
By kayak, Rupert has shared the water with ocean sunfish, minke whales, and Risso’s dolphins, along with seals, dolphins, and even a humpback. Rupert estimates he’s logged 35,000 paddling throughout the UK with most of the paddling in Devon and Cornwall.
Henry, Rupert’s son and wildlife filmmaker, has been following his father’s adventures, with the two working together to tell stories about UK wildlife. Henry even made a short film about his father’s adventures, and aims to produce a series of films with his father as the subject in the future.
Rupert and Henry Kirkwood had seen bluefin tuna on the shores of southwest England in the past, but always just a passing glimpse as the tuna leaped in the distance. When they arrived at the beach the presence of garfish, a favorite meal of bluefin tuna, proved promising for tuna sightings.
“If we see them it’s really going to be off-the-scale entertainment, hopefully, and if we don’t we’re going to have a nice day anyway,” said Rupert before the event.
Wildlife filmmaker and father have the wildlife experience of a lifetime in Devon, England
In search of bluefin tuna Rupert paddled out to their destination while Henry hiked in, staging camera gear near shoreline rocks. Not long after arriving, garfish skimmed across the water and the first bluefin tuna made its appearance. Just as Rupert turned his kayak to move closer to shore, two massive bluefin tuna jumped behind him and the feeding frenzy began.
“I can’t believe he’s still on his kayak,” said Henry as a bluefin tuna leaped out of the water near Rupert. “How is he still in one piece?”
Bluefin tuna and gar filled the air while Rupert laughed, the massive tuna sometimes leaping precariously close to his boat.
“What a hoot,” said Rupert in the short film. “Surely there can’t be a better experience in the entire world at this moment!”
A massive bluefin tuna cuts through the water toward Rupert Kirwood, The Lone Kayaker. Feature Image: Henry Kirkwood Filmmaking | YouTube
“Looking back on it, maybe it wasn’t a good idea to be sitting around in that particular location, with the risk of being hit by a 300 kg projectile flying at 30 mph.” Rupert wrote in his blog after the experience. “It would have been painful enough to be slapped in the chops by that lucky Garfish!”
Touring kayaks are made to cover ground, especially on open waterways. They are constructed of every material from plastic to composites. Their elongated, narrower shapes are made to track in a straighter line and carry more speed than other types of kayaks. | Feature photo: Kaydi Pyette
If you’re looking for a new kayak, you may have encountered a common scenario: you head to the paddle shop to grab a boat, only to find there are a dozen different options. Why is one enclosed, while another has an open-concept seating area? Is the short or long one better to paddle across the lake?
There are so many different types of kayaks that it can feel like a journey to decide on one. Even experienced paddlers weigh options when seeking their next boat as we become more specialized in our activities. This is because the differences in materials, design, number of seats, intended use and means of propulsion all tailor your boating experience. Understanding these differences will help you buy the best kayak for your goals, budget and aspirations.
How to choose the right kayak for you
Think of picking a kayak like following a flow chart, or, better yet, a choose-your-own-adventure story. Start with your experience level and the type of kayaking you’d like to do. From here, factor in your budget and any specific circumstances related to your paddling.
For example, if you’re a new paddler learning how to kayak, and you’re looking to stick close to shore while covering a few miles or float slow stretches of river, a recreational kayak could be a good choice. You can weigh the pros and cons of a sit-inside kayak versus a sit-on-top. Your budget will help determine what materials will be accessible to you, as well as the craftsmanship and features the kayak incorporates. For a reasonable price these days, you can buy a plastic recreational kayak that gets you on the water, and, by budgeting a little more, you can find a design with a stronger plastic construction, more comfortable seat, and helpful safety features should you capsize.
Now, let’s say you have some kayaking experience, live in a small apartment with limited storage, and the boat ramp on the bay is just a short walk away. Going through these thoughts, a folding, touring kayak that can be tucked away almost anywhere may be the choice.
To guide you in the possibilities available, here’s a comprehensive resource on every kayak type to choose from.
Types of kayaks explained
Kayaks for different activities
The bodies of water and how you plan to paddle them play perhaps the largest part in what kind of kayak to choose.
Recreational kayaks
Recreational kayaks are about fun, stability and value. Whether they are sit-inside or sit-on-top, recreational designs put a premium on stability. They aren’t as fast as touring kayaks, but they are more stable. All of this is to say they make a good learning kayak.
Recreational kayaks often offer very basic features and come at an affordable price. In some cases they are just a simple kayak hull with a seat and little else. Nicer designs incorporate some touring kayak features, like hatches and bulkheads for storage and safety.
Like all kayaks, recreational kayaks come in a wide range of lengths and designs. Few are shorter than nine feet and most are no longer than 14 feet. All are wider than touring designs of similar length, which provides more stability but will not be as effective at covering ground or countering wind and current.
If you’re considering a recreational kayak, take a look at designs around 12 feet long first. Boats shorter than this are lighter and less expensive, but noticeably slower. Those longer are faster but heavier. Longer recreational boats are a good choice for covering lots of miles.
The best recreational kayaks for paddling far from shore are sit-on-top designs that will allow you to remount should you capsize. Sit-inside recreational kayaks are great for anyone who paddles close to shore and seeks to not have their lower half exposed to weather and splashing water.
Touring kayaks are made to cover ground, especially on open waterways. They are constructed of every material from plastic to composites. Their elongated, narrower shapes are made to track in a straighter line and carry more speed than other types of kayaks. | Feature photo: Kaydi Pyette
Touring and sea kayaks
Touring kayaks are specialized sit-inside kayaks designed for long-distance travel, camping, and open waters. Sea kayaks are a more specialized set of touring kayaks that are typically longer and narrower than general-purpose touring boats.
Touring kayaks typically pick up where recreational kayaks leave off. They are usually longer than 14 feet and narrower than 24 inches. Most touring kayaks are fitted with bulkheads and hatches front and rear for dry storage and floatation. Many have rudders or retractable skegs to help control direction in wind. Safety features like decklines are common.
Sea kayaks are similar to general-purpose touring kayaks in many ways. They are usually 16 feet long or longer and commonly 22 inches wide or narrower. Sea kayaks are faster than other touring kayaks but usually not as stable. They almost always feature as skeg or rudder and often have extra compartments and hatches that allow easy access to equipment while on the water.
Most touring kayaks are made of rotomolded polyethylene. Many sea kayaks are made of lighter, stiffer composite materials like fiberglass or aramid fibers. Generally, these composite kayaks offer better performance than their PE cousins but cost substantially more.
If you’re interested in paddling larger bodies of water like the ocean or the Great Lakes, touring kayaks are a good choice. Especially if you plan to do multiple-day trips involving camping.
Whitewater kayaks come in a variety of design types to adapt to the types of river and style of paddling you plan to do. What are called “river runners” such as the Dagger Indra, are considered all-around designs that are a good fit for most who want to paddle whitewater. | Photo: Dagger Kayaks
Whitewater kayaks
Whitewater kayaks are specialized designs for running river rapids. Most whitewater kayaks are sit-inside designs with smaller cockpits that can be sealed tightly with a neoprene sprayskirt. Some sit-on-top designs offer hard-shell kayak performance to those who prefer to sit on instead of inside their kayak.
Whitewater kayaks are typically shorter than touring or recreational kayaks. They are the most maneuverable kayaks and often have hull shapes that plane on a wave like a surfboard. Once you get into whitewater kayaking you’ll discover there is a whole new set of kayak types you can choose from, including river runners, freestyle kayaks, and even crossover kayaks that blend whitewater and touring.
The popularity of pedal and motor-propelled kayaks is especially prevalent in the kayak fishing scene, where there are clear advantages to hands-free kayaking. Fishing kayaks are now largely produced as sit-on-tops with a large amount of deck space for tackle storage and the ability for an angler to move around and cast. | Photo: Joe Potoczak
Fishing kayaks
Fishing kayaks or angler kayaks are specialized recreational designs. Most fishing kayaks are sit-on-top designs. These allow for good mobility, ease of landing fish and safety when far from shore.
Some fishing kayaks are wide enough for standing. These designs are typically slower than narrower boats, but their wider beam provides ample stability. An added benefit of wider designs is that seats can be mounted higher for more effective vision and casting.
Pedal-drive fishing kayaks are popular, especially in tidal or river environments where strong currents can make paddling challenging. There are a variety of types of pedal kayaks, including those with fins and others with propellers. All allow a kayak angler to keep his or her hands free for casting and handling fish.
In colder climates, some kayak anglers prefer closed cockpit designs. These kayaks are a little more difficult to get into and out of, but offer more protection from cold water and air temperatures.
Surf kayaks are specialized kayaks for playing in ocean surf. They differ from whitewater kayaks because they have a specialized edge that grips a breaking wave and allows for a diagonal run like a surfboard would make.
Sit-inside surf kayaks come in two types. High-performance or HP boats are short and have a flat planing hull like a surfboard. Longer International Class (IC) boats have a rounder hull and are typically longer. Either may be fitted with surfboard fins, but it is more common to find fins on HP boats.
A specialized kind of sit-on-top surf kayak is called a wave ski. This is essentially a surfboard with a raised seat and a seatbelt to keep the paddler in place. Wave skis are similar to HP boats in their length and width. A few other sit-on-top surf kayaks are also available for beginners who are just getting into the sport.
Racing kayaks
There are lots of different kinds of racing kayaks. There are whitewater racing kayaks, whitewater slalom kayaks, downriver racing kayak, racing surf skis and flatwater sprint kayaks. There are also long, fast sea kayaks that are used for certain categories of kayak racing.
People buy racing kayaks either to compete in a particular discipline or because they like the speed and performance of a certain design. Many fitness paddlers choose racing kayaks as the right tool for training on the water.
If you’re considering competition, it’s probably best to explore the community around your chosen discipline before jumping in and buying a racing kayak. Other racers and coaches will have lots of recommendations for where to start and what to look for.
Types of kayaks by design
No matter which branch of paddling you want to pursue, you’ll choose between a sit-on-top or sit-inside kayak.
Sit-on-top kayaks provide one of the most accessible ways to start kayaking. A big benefit is that they are generally wide and very stable kayaks. And, should you capsize, they are the most straightforward to climb back on and get paddling again. | Photo: Perception Kayaks
Sit-on-top kayaks
There are sit-on-top kayak designs for every type of paddling activity, whether it be recreational, touring, whitewater, fishing and even racing.
There are two main advantages to sit-on-top kayaks. First, they won’t fill with water if flipped over. This makes them easier to get back onto in deep water and is one of the reasons sit-on-tops are a good choice for a recreational kayak that you plan to paddle far from shore.
Second, they are easy to move around within, whether you are turning around to grab a fishing rod or getting onto them at the beach. Almost all fishing kayaks today are sit-on-top designs for this reason.
If you’re paddling a sit-on-top in cold water you might get wet and cold. This is the biggest disadvantage of sit-on-top designs. Another is that sit-on-tops tend to be heavier than similar kayaks with a cockpit. Because you are not enclosed, with your thighs secured, there all also limits to the types of maneuvers you can do in a sit-on.
Sit-on-tops are an excellent choice for recreational paddlers who paddle farther from shore, anglers who want a versatile kayak for fishing, and for anyone who gets into high-performance surf ski racing.
Sit-inside recreational kayaks are available at just about any outdoor store. They are affordable, lighter in weight, and very stable for paddlers new to the sport or not seeking to go far when they paddle. The Pungo 120 is a popular kayak that glides well at 12 feet and has bulkheads that both provide storage and create chambers that help keep the kayak afloat should you capsize. | Photo: Wilderness Systems
Sit-inside kayaks
The most common type of kayak, or type we often envision, is a sit-inside or sit-in kayak.
The biggest advantage to sit-inside kayaks is they can be sealed off from the elements with a sprayskirt. This means they are warmer and drier to paddle in cool weather or on cold water. A closed cockpit can do anything from seal out a light drizzle to protect a paddler from smashing surf or turbulent whitewater—it just depends on the design.
Sit-inside recreational designs are found everywhere and are a good option for paddling close to shore on calm water. Longer touring designs are faster and frequently have safety features that come into play for open-water touring or camping. Whitewater designs will run steep drops or surf a river wave. For advanced paddlers, sit-in kayaks in touring and whitewater have performance advantages beyond sealing water—by having your legs secured inside the kayak, you’re able to perform moves like a roll to right yourself. Sit-insides also tend to be lighter because of their hollow structure.
The biggest disadvantage of sit-inside designs is they can be tricky to get back into if you fall out in deep water. Sea kayakers need to learn special skills to get back in their kayaks. Whitewater kayakers learn to roll their kayaks to avoid swimming through rapids. The possibility of a capsize and how far you’ll be traveling from shore, is something recreational paddlers will want to take into consideration.
Kayaks by construction
Kayaks are produced in a variety of materials. There are pros and cons to each, and which you choose usually depends on budget and what attributes are most important to you.
Where to begin? Understanding what the characteristics of different types of kayaks are will help you select the right one for you. | Photo: Paddling Mag Staff
Rigid or hard-shell kayaks
The largest category of kayaks is rigid or hard-shell kayaks. There are hundreds of designs on the market in a wide range of materials, from rotomolded and blow-molded plastic kayaks to thermoformed ABS plastic kayaks to composite constructions. The one thing all these constructions have in common is that they are a “rigid” construction. They don’t fold up, they don’t roll into bags, and (for the most part) they don’t come apart into pieces.
Hard-shell kayaks are where you should start your exploration. Most people who purchase kayaks will find a hard-shell design that matches their needs, whether they’re looking for a fishing kayak, a lightweight recreational design or something for serious ocean exploration. Nearly every category of kayak design is dominated by some sort of rigid design, whether it be fishing kayaks, recreational boats, whitewater designs or touring kayaks.
Rigid kayaks differ in both design and materials. Here we’ll focus on the differences between rotomolded, blow-molded, ABS/thermoformed and composite constructions.
Rotomolded polyethylene
Rotomolded polyethylene (PE) is the most common material for rigid kayaks. It’s durable and particularly impact-resistant, which is why nearly all whitewater kayaks are rotomolded. Rotomolding can be used to create an almost infinite range of kayak designs. The toughness of the material makes it a good choice for many paddlers, as does its modest cost.
The biggest downside of rotomolded kayaks is they tend to be heavier than boats made from other materials. Rotomolded boats are also a little more flexible than composite designs, so the material isn’t quite as good for high-performance designs like racing kayaks and sea kayaks.
Blow-molded
Blow-molded plastic kayaks are often the least expensive and least durable designs. A handful of high-quality manufacturers make heavy-duty blow-molded kayaks, but most of the blow-molded designs you’ll find are economy models sold at department stores and mass merchant retailers. These blow-molded kayaks are lightweight and inexpensive, but are much less durable than rotomolded plastic designs.
Composite kayaks are made from layers of fiberglass, aramid, or carbon fiber laminated together with varying types of resin. Each composite material provides varying attributes and costs. In general, composite kayaks are lighter and stiffer than rotomolded designs. This makes composite a good choice for longer touring kayaks. Composites are also the best choice for a kayak that is ultra-lightweight or the most high-performance.
ABS
ABS plastic kayaks fill a middle ground between rotomolded PE designs and composites. They cost more than rotomolded boats but less than composites, and they’re roughly in between the two materials in terms of stiffness and impact resistance. Many light touring and touring designs are built in this material and offer excellent value.
The one category of kayaks you’ll rarely find in hard-shell designs are folding or collapsible models. There are some rigid kayaks that come apart into two or more pieces for transportation or storage, but the category of travel kayaks is dominated by inflatable and folding designs.
Inflatable kayaks are a popular choice for running rivers with novice to moderate whitewater. Tandem inflatables roll up to a reasonable size for transport and allow you to partner up or carry gear. | Photo: Joe Potoczak
Inflatable kayaks
Inflatable or blow-up kayaks are a good option for kayakers with limited space to store their boats, as well as those seeking stability and ease of floating along over performance. Inflatables are constructed of rubbery materials that hold air to provide their structure.
Inflatables typically come in whitewater, fishing and recreational designs, but there are some also geared toward touring. Whitewater and fishing inflatables are usually made from tough materials similar to those used in whitewater rafts. Recreational designs use lighter materials and are usually a little less durable but more affordable.
Whitewater inflatable kayaks offer an option between rafts and whitewater kayaks for paddlers looking to explore wild rivers. Recreational designs are suitable for quiet water adventures. Both are available in solo or tandem designs.
The chief advantage of inflatable designs is their compactness for storage and travel. They also offer some of the best stability of any kayak type because of the pontoon-like design of the tubes. This makes an inflatable something just about anyone can hop in and use, especially to float down a stretch of mild whitewater. Another advantage is that they can be among the most affordable options in collapsible kayaks.
A disadvantage to inflatable kayaks is that they are much less rigid than hard-shell designs, so they don’t perform quite as well. They also offer fewer design options and features than rigid kayaks, but if you’re looking for a kayak to store in your closet or a tough boat to bomb down the river, they’re a great option to consider.
It also shouldn’t be overlooked that even durable inflatables can be punctured. Many have multiple air chambers so you can make it to shore for a repair, nonetheless, this should be acknowledged.
Folding kayaks were the first kayaks made commercially a century ago. They’ve regained popularity for touring and recreational kayaking with advances in materials and ease of setup. | Photo: Oru Kayak
Folding kayaks
Folding or foldable kayaks typically offer the most high-performance options in collapsible kayak designs. Traditional folding kayak designs use a rigid frame covered by a flexible waterproof skin. Some newer designs use folding plastic panels that form the hull of the kayak when snapped together. Either option creates a hull that is stiffer than an inflatable and in some cases approaches the performance of high-end hard-shell touring designs.
Folding kayaks come in recreational and touring designs. They are often wide and stable, particularly tandem folding designs.
The biggest advantage of folding kayaks is they offer a compact option for storage and travel. Folding kayaks are more expensive than inflatable options but typically offer superior performance on the water. Because of their rigid design, folding kayaks are a poor choice for whitewater paddling where impacts with rocks could bend or break their frames.
If you’re looking for a compact kayak for storage or travel, and an inflatable would not be suitable, folding designs should be at the top of your list.
Types of kayaks by number of seats
Another factor you’ll want to consider from the outset is whether you’d like a solo or tandem kayak. Solo kayaks are perhaps the most widely used, however depending on your circumstances, there can be benefits to either.
Solo kayaks
Solo kayaks or one-person kayaks are the most common type of kayaks sold. The advantage of a solo kayak is that only one person is needed to go out on the water. Many kayakers prefer solo kayaks because they can choose their own course and pace. Solo kayaks are lighter than similar tandem kayaks and less expensive.
Tandem kayaks, two-seater kayaks, two-person kayaks—there are many ways to describe them, but the basic idea is the same. Two people in one boat. There are tandem versions of all the different types of kayaks, from recreational to touring and even racing. Some tandems can be paddled solo, while others have separate cockpits and are best used by two people. A single tandem kayak usually costs less than two solos, but is heavier to carry and can be more challenging to transport. One of the biggest advantages of tandem kayaks is they allow two paddlers of different skill levels or strength to stay together on the water.
Types of kayaks by propulsion
Believe it or not, there is more than one way to make a kayak go. While paddling is the traditional method of human-powered propulsion, there are a growing number of pedal and motorized kayaks. Different types of propulsion make kayaking accessible to more people, and also have significant benefits in sectors of the sport like fishing.
Paddle kayaks
The most common way to propel a kayak is with a two-bladed kayak paddle. Just about any kayak on the water can be paddled this way, as long as you use a paddle that is correctly sized to the boat. Wider kayaks require longer paddles, narrower kayaks use shorter paddles. Different styles of kayaks perform better with different types of paddles, but one thing is universally true—a lightweight paddle makes paddling your kayak much more enjoyable and is a worthwhile investment.
Pedal kayaks
Some kayaks come with pedal-drive systems that allow them to be propelled using your legs rather than arms. Since the leg muscles are stronger than those in the upper body, pedal-drive kayaks can be less fatiguing to use. Pedal-drives are primarily found in recreational kayaks, particularly fishing kayaks. Pedal-drive kayaks allow you to keep your hands free for fishing, which is a big advantage when you’re trying to cast and hold position.
Pedal kayaks can develop a lot of power and many anglers prefer them when fishing water with currents, where they can be used to hold the kayak in position without setting an anchor. Pedal-drive kayaks have lots of advantages, but they do tend to be more expensive than similar sized recreational kayaks. The largest pedal kayaks can also be quite heavy.
Motorized kayaks are similar to pedal-drive kayaks but power is provided by a marine battery rather than the kayaker’s legs. Motor drives are frequently offered as an add-on option for pedal-drive kayaks, or as a kit to fit onto a conventional recreational or fishing kayak. A motor moves the kayak swiftly through the water and eliminates any need to paddle or pedal. Motors do add complexity and cost to a kayak and marine batteries require charging, but some anglers find the hands-free power of motors to be a worthwhile investment.
Kids’ kayaks, youth kayaks or child’s kayaks can be found in a range of styles and designs. There are fewer choices in youth kayaks than there are for adults, but if you look into the options you’ll find whitewater kayaks, touring kayaks, sit-on-tops and recreational kayaks sized smaller to fit children. Oftentimes children’s kayaks are simply smaller versions of similar adult boats. In this case, you should expect them to come at similar prices.
Other children’s kayaks are stripped down to the basic features in order to keep them affordable. Regardless of what type of kayaking you enjoy, you’ll likely find a child-sized option to help you get out on the water with the whole family.
Touring kayaks are made to cover ground, especially on open waterways. They are constructed of every material from plastic to composites. Their elongated, narrower shapes are made to track in a straighter line and carry more speed than other types of kayaks. | Feature photo: Kaydi Pyette
The Paddling Mag team caught up with Kelly Smith, founder of Kokopelli rafts, to chat about the new in 2025 self-bailing Rodeo.
Kokopelli launches Rodeo self-bailing packraft
Kokopelli is a packraft manufacturer founded 12 years ago out of a garage in Denver. Now beyond the garage and on to major rapids all over the world, Kokopelli introduced the Rodeo self-bailing in March 2024.
In the past, Kokopelli has focused on ultralight and extremely carry-in friendly packrafts. The Kokopellie Rodeo is their first dive into creating an advanced whitewater boat. According to Smith, the new design was a collaboration between one of their top whitewater paddlers on staff and several whitewater paddlers throughout the world with the goal of creating a fun, whitewater-ready packraft.
The Rodeo has a hull shape with more aggressive rocker than Kokopelli’s recreational adventure packrafts. Drain holes at the bottom have one-way flaps that close as you move forward through the water, allowing water to drain one-way out the bottom. The entirety of the packraft, both the floors and sidewalls, is reinforced with kevlar making the packraft puncture and tear-resistant.
In the wake of the largest waterfall in North America is a set of rapids so dangerous to run that it’s illegal. Niagara Falls sees four of the Great Lakes tumble 70-180 ft (21-57 m) with a flow rate around 100,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) during the high season, making it the largest waterfall in North America by volume.
At the bottom of the falls lies Niagara Gorge with massive whirlpools, standing waves so large they earned the name “the Himalayas”— some of the biggest whitewater in the world. The Gorge includes the only eddy to appear on a world atlas, a quarter mile long.
It took a two year legal battle with the New York Supreme Court for Risa Shimonda Callaway, Woody Callaway and Nolan Whitesell to get permission to run the gorge in 1987; Whitesell ran the Gorge in an open canoe, and remains the first and only recorded person to run Niagara Gorge in an open canoe.
Nolan Whitesell tackles Niagara Gorge in an open canoe. Feature Image: YouTube | Whitewater Video
Running Niagara Gorge in an open canoe
“It’s one really enticing, mighty tantalizing and tempting piece of whitewater,” Nolan Whitesell said in a video documenting the run of Niagara Gorge.
Whitesell in 1984 became the first known person to run every rapid in the Grand Canyon in an open canoe, as well as Idahos’ North Fork Payette. According to an article in Men’s Journal, in order to get the permit to run Niagara, Whitesell put up his home as collateral against the cost of potential rescue.
Scouting the rapid was easy for the team, with two different countries to view from as well as elevators and observation decks but below the river is continually changing, with massive standing waves shifting and whirlpools materializing and fading.
“The only thing that’s consistent is the overwhelming hope that there must be a better route on the other side of the river,” Whitesell explained.
History of running Niagara Gorge
On June 6, 1891 Captain Joel Robinson became the first known person to navigate Niagara Gorge when he navigated the Maid of the Mist steamer through the rapids in order to make a date to sell the boat on Lake Ontario.
Along with the boat’s mechanic James McIntyre and engineer James Jones, Robinson took the steamer through Great Gorge Rapids, the Whirlpool, and the Lower Rapids at an estimated 250,000 cfs. Reportedly, the boat ripped through Great Gorge Rapids at nearly 40 miles per hour (63 kilometers per hour) and it wasn’t until the Whirlpool that Captain Robinson regained control of the boat and ran the rest of the rapids by sticking to the middle of the river. The boat and everyone aboard made it through intact, minus the smoke stack which they lost along the way.
In 1975, a rafting company briefly operated in the Gorge, but closed after one of the 37-ft rafts flipped on their eleventh run, resulting in three passenger drownings.
In October 1982 Chris Spelius, Don Deedon, Carrie Ashton, and Kenneth Lagergren ran the rapids in the first recorded legal run. Before the first known legal run, the first known descent is credited to Chris Spelius and Ken Lagergren; after the first descent Lagergren was arrested, and Spelius escaped.
Since then, there have been a number of semi-legal runs of the gorge in whitewater kayaks; Whitesell remains the only run of Niagara Gorge in an open canoe.
Whether paddling your canoe tandem or solo, there is a universally necessary, yet elusive goal we all set out to accomplish: going in a straight line. The reason this seemingly simple task is so difficult is because as we paddle on one side, the strokes have a tendency to turn the canoe toward the other.
Spinning in circles is frustrating, not to mention a counterproductive way to cover water. When learning how to canoe, people often try to avoid the issue by falling back on switching the paddle from side to side in order to maintain control, but this is a tiring and inefficient method, requiring constant back and forth. Instead, the key to gaining control is learning how to do an essential canoe stroke, the J-stroke.
The J-stroke is so named because the paddle, as it moves through the water, traces the shape of the letter J. What makes the stroke invaluable to traveling straight is its combination of two parts into a fluid motion.
The first part is the forward propulsion, accomplished by your standard forward stroke. The second is corrective. During the corrective part, the paddle provides resistance to veer the bow back toward the side you’re paddling on without breaking the forward momentum gained during propulsion. It sounds simple, and, it is straightforward, however, the paddle angle and wrist movement needed to accomplish an effective J-stroke can feel awkward at first.
To get tips from an expert who spends his days making headway across breezy lakes and teaching others the ropes, we joined canoe instructor and owner of Smoothwater Outfitters Francis Boyes on the water. The details Boyes shares here will help with your J-stroke so you can take control and enjoy time spent in your canoe.
How to do the J-stroke
Canoe instructor Francis Boyes demonstrates the start to the J-stroke by initiating a forward stroke.
Begin with a forward stroke. To take a proper forward stroke, you want to rotate your torso to reach forward toward the bow, plant the paddle blade in the water, then, again using your core for power, pull yourself to the paddle blade. This is the part of the stroke that will propel you forward.
The defining movement of the J-stroke is transitioning from the forward stroke to the corrective phase by turning your top thumb downward.
As the blade approaches your hip, you transition into the defining motion of the J-stroke. Turn the powerface of the paddle away from the canoe by bending your wrist so that the thumb of your upper hand points downward.
Blade angle is key to having the resistance needed to correct the direction of the canoe.
The paddle blade pauses in the water at an angle to the canoe. The water will push on the powerface and move the stern of the canoe away from the side that you are paddling on—correcting the direction of the canoe without breaking your forward momentum. The greater the angle you use (and resistance on your blade) the stronger the corrective force.
Slice the blade from the water to recover for your next stroke.
Common errors paddlers make on the J-stroke
According to Boyes, there are several common errors that novice paddlers make when learning the J-stroke.
The first error is extending the forward part of the stroke too far. If you do this, then by the time you turn the paddle into its rudder position, much of the blade may be out of the water.
Notice the thumb at the top hand is rotated downward so that the paddle blade is vertical.
The second common error is not turning the powerface of the paddle far enough. You need to bend or rotate your wrist over, so that the blade of the paddle moves into a vertical position in the water. You may need to exaggerate the bending of your wrist over further than feels necessary at first in order to reach the vertical position needed and building your muscle memory to do so.
If the blade is left running parallel with the canoe, it will not create the resistance needed to correct the boat’s course.
The third error is not ending the stroke with your paddle at enough of an angle to the canoe. “If your paddle blade ends up parallel to your canoe, it does not offer enough resistance to the water,” Boyes explains. The resistance of the water on the paddle blade is what swings the canoe so your bow heads back in the right direction following the forward stroke. You want a paddle angle that provides enough resistance to accomplish this.
More tips for an effective J-stroke
If you are paddling tandem in a canoe, the stern paddler performs the J-stroke.
Canoe instructor Francis Boyes says go ahead and use that gunwale to make those strokes less work.
Some canoeing purists will tell you that you should never allow the shaft of the paddle to come into contact with the gunwale of the canoe. “This is an issue of style, not function,” says Boyes. According to Boyes, allowing the shaft of the paddle to contact the gunwale, increases efficiency. When you allow the paddle shaft to contact the gunwale, the force of the water on the paddle blade is transferred directly to the canoe. Your lower arm acts as a guide only and does not tire.
One final tip from Boyes, don’t grip the shaft of your paddle tightly with your lower hand. Hold it gently. This allows the paddle to rotate more freely as you transition into and out of the correctional phase of the J-stroke. This creates a more relaxing and fluid motion to your J-strokes.
One of the easiest strokes you can learn, that will make the biggest difference. | Photo by: Destination Ontario
A few more advanced strokes
The J-stroke is a foundational canoe stroke, but it is really just splashing the surface depth of canoe skills. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, give some of these stylish and helpful strokes a try.
Goon stroke
The goon stroke is similar to the J-stroke. A key difference is that instead of turning the thumb downward to transition into the correction phase, the thumb goes upward, and the forward stroke transitions to the stern for what is known as a pry. The goon stroke is usually easier on the wrist if the J presents issues for you. It is also popular in whitewater canoeing because it can be a quick, powerful stroke, and is easier to exit the blade from turbulent currents. Why then do most prefer the J over the goon on lakes and slow-moving water? The J requires less physical energy and better maintains the canoe’s momentum.
Cross-forward stroke
With a similar goal as the J-stroke, solo canoeists often use the cross-forward stroke to keep the canoe going straight as they build momentum.
C-stroke
Getting started from a dead stop is often one of the trickiest parts, especially when solo canoeing. This is a job for the C-stroke.
Silent stroke
For a J-stroke that has both an elegant look and allows you to paddle while hardly making a sound, learn the silent stroke. The big difference between the J and the silent stroke is the recovery. The silent stroke never leaves the water, and instead, the canoeist smoothly slices the paddle blade back to the bow for their next stroke.
One of the easiest strokes you can learn, that will make the biggest difference. | Feature photo: Destination Ontario
Don't forget to like, comment and subscribe at paddlingmag.com. | Feature photo: Geoff Whitlock
It used to be that to be an expert—what we now call an influencer—you had to do something extraordinary: paddle around a continent, complete the first descent of some faraway river, endure rigorous training, write a classic book or invent a timeless boat design.
But increasingly, the criteria for being an expert is to have an impressive social media following, which is really just a measure of cleverness with a camera, algorithms and personal branding. Sure, you could argue famous paddlers of the past were the influencers of their day, similar to their modern counterparts except in the medium through which they promoted their exploits. But there are some important differences.
How social media is redefining—and maybe undermining—wilderness adventure
Foremost, today’s outdoor influencers operate squarely in the attention economy, with advertising piggybacking on all their content, where eyeballs translate into sales of consumer products. There is something paradoxical about this commodification of the wilderness experience, which is, in its essence, anti-materialistic.
One of the biggest outdoor influencers is Luke Nichols, a former traffic attorney from Virginia who runs the Outdoor Boys YouTube channel. A typical post, “Can I Survive Alaskan Winter with No Sleeping Bag, No Tent & No Tarp?” has 12 million views. Forty-one million people watched his “5 Days Fishing & Camping in Swamp.” The internet estimates with his nearly nine million subscribers and 1.5 billion total views on YouTube, Nichols’ annual earnings are in the multimillions. Enough to afford a tent and a sleeping bag.
Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe at paddlingmag.com. | Feature photo: Geoff Whitlock
His videos of roughing it with as little equipment as possible aren’t something you’d expect would sell a lot of products. But hitting play launches ads for Old Spice deodorant, Febreze air freshener and Airbnb. What more could you want after five days in a swamp? Google knows most people who watch this stuff are more likely to book a vacation rental where they can smell good on a comfy mattress than camp out themselves.
Don’t sell your soul
Even when the intentions start pure, content is coopted by the market. The old-time explorers sold all kinds of gear. The alpinist Reinhold Messner turned his high altitude exploits into such a fortune he now resides in a restored Italian medieval castle with his own museum. Bill Mason’s legacy is no doubt boosting the sales of Prospector canoes to this day. But for the most part, these old-schoolers’ books, films and in-person lectures were the product. The audience paid for them directly, and their value was intrinsic, not measured by how well they could churn other people’s widgets. Nowadays, the content you get for free is just the shiny thing Alphabet Inc. uses in its bait-and-switch gambit. You thought you were learning about the wilderness, but actually, you’re being pitched air freshener. And if you want to glow in your Instagram posts like those burly outdoorsfolk, better use this discount code for Athletic Greens.
The omnipresence of advertising brings the authenticity of expert content into question. What creator does not fall into the trap of using real-time analytics to determine what garners views and crafts their content accordingly?
Every action is an activation, all communication is content, and there is nothing that can’t be monetized.
When my favorite podcaster first ventured into advertising, I was all ears. “This guy needs to make a buck to produce this great content,” I thought. But as his channel blew up and I watched his personal favorite mattress, multivitamin and medication app rotate from one set of companies to their direct competitors over the seasons, I realized this was just capitalism in another form.
Another problem with outdoor influencers is the content is often just plain dull. Most YouTube canoe tripping footage is drier than your grandmother’s vacation slideshow. A video of a cheese sandwich grilling over a camp stove is less interesting than watching paint dry. And as much as the internet has the aforementioned obsession with people camping out without sleeping bags, I am too restless to get outdoors myself to sit through 30 minutes of a bearded guy in a stick shelter talking to himself about how he didn’t have the greatest sleep and he sure would have been a lot more comfortable if he’d had a few wool blankets. I hear enough of this sort of thing from my wife every morning. It’s a wonder millions watch this dreck; anyone handwringing about our decaying attention spans need look no further for solace.
Social media has only accelerated the exhausting trend by which marketing has become the water we all swim in. This transformation has turned being into branding. Every action is an activation, all communication is content, and there is nothing that can’t be monetized. Its influence has crept into the last frontier, my sanctuary, the wilderness.
The joy of being present
For all my complaints, I harbor no ill will toward influencers. Mostly, I feel sorry for those chained to the content sweatshop, who can’t experience a moment in the wilderness without a camera on a gimbal and a drone buzzing overhead, who must make multiple trips past every rapid—once to film it, once to retrieve the camera, and again and again for editing. For these folks who have, or aspire to have, large and monetized followings, creating content is always central, and the value of the experience is only fully realized once it’s been posted, liked and shared. The canoe trip becomes like one of those concerts people only see through their phones—so intent to prove to others they were there, for all practical purposes, they aren’t really there at all. The influencers aren’t the people I want to hear from. I’m curious about the non-self-promoters, those whose quiet voices are drowned out by the content firehose, and I don’t know where to find them anymore.
There was once a concept proposed, mostly as a thought experiment, called rescue-free wilderness. The idea was the only way to have a true wilderness experience was to go someplace where nobody would come to your aid. Our era calls for something different: content-creation-free wilderness, an embargoed place where the influencers would never want to go because you’re not allowed to document it electronically. Contrary to the adage take only pictures, the only way to record it would be through memory. The only way to see it, go there yourself.
Contrarian Tim Shuff is a writer, firefighter and former editor of Adventure Kayak magazine.
This article was first published in Issue 72 of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe at paddlingmag.com. | Feature photo: Geoff Whitlock
Based in Meridian, Idaho, AIRE rafts is launching a new, beefier inflatable whitewater playboat in 2025: the Hot Potato. The Hot Potato comes after the Tributary SPUD and Tater inflatable kayaks, with similar features to both but built tougher to cater to the folks using the kayaks for whitewater.
The AIRE SPUD was a youth inflatable turned whitewater playboat: enter the AIRE Hot Potato
“We wanted to stay within the potato family of names since this [the Hot Potato] is based on the SPUD specs,” shared Abigail Taylor from AIRE rafts. “It’s going to be like our other AIRE kayaks with a ten-year no-fault warranty, so you can put this thing through the trenches and we will fix it for you.”
The AIRE Hot Potato in Teal. Image: AIRE
The AIRE Tributary SPUD was originally made for children but caught on as an inflatable whitewater play boat. Paddlers can roll the SPUD and have tackled class IV drops. AIRE decided to make a tougher, beefier model in the Hot Potato to address the needs of the folks using the SPUD for whitewater.
Overall, the AIRE Hot Potato is a really compelling compromise for folks looking to tackle white water kayaking who aren’t necessarily comfortable in an enclosed whitewater kayak. Additionally, the Hot Potato comes with enhanced stability, increased durability and increased maneuverability according to AIRE.
The Hot Potato is available in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and teal. Thigh straps for rolling can be purchased as an add on.
To the one person in our reader survey who asked for more squirt boating content, this one is for you.
Squirt boating: drowning, but for fun
Squirt boating is one of the most mysterious subcultures of kayaking, not only because it saw its peak in the early 90s and has a small, devoted following but also because this type of whitewater kayaking happens largely underwater.
In a thin whitewater kayak with very little buoyancy and hand paddles on the hands in lieu of a traditional paddle, the purpose of squirt boating is to submerge oneself and ride underwater waves and currents. For many people, the idea of kayaking beneath the water holds very little appeal— in fact, for many buoyancy is considered chief among desirable qualities in a kayak.
“The only reason I even know about squirt boating is because I was on a rafting trip and after we went over a set of rapids we saw this squirter pop up right behind our boat,” shared Mark Murphy while narrating a viral video on squirt boating. The comments on the viral video are rife with quips about how the sport is glorified drowning or “kayaking with less breathing”. Which speaks to one of the challenges of the sport: it’s obscure and not just because it happens underwater.
Squirt boating is incredibly niche, with a small, dedicated community. According to the NRS film The Mystery, in the nineties there were likely only a couple thousand squirt boaters in the states, while today there’s likely less than two hundred.
Squirt boating, niche and nerdy paddling subculture, and humility
The squirt boating subculture is decidedly nerdy in the way of “Tevas with socks and Dave Matthews Band kinda look”, an interviewee explained in the The Mystery, citing sparkles on boats and a vibe that rode the line between dorky and very cool as the tone of the squirt boaters of the nineties.
Squirt boating, or whitewater kayaking underwater comments. Feature Image: The Mystery by NRS | YouTube
In the 1991 brothers Jim and Jeff Snyder’s instructional film Certain Squirting is as bright with the neon colors and the coolest paddling jackets ever seen as it is filled with detailed instructions. The Snyder brothers are credited with popularizing and founding squirt boating, and Jim is responsible for the design of most of the squirt boats in existence.
In the Summer 2008 issue of Rapid Magazine, Jeff Jackson broke down the allure of squirt boating and Jim Snyder’s The Squirt Book.
“The tight-fitting, custom-built, surfboard-like kayaks were designed for neutral buoyancy—half way between floating and sinking—and to tap into underwater currents,” he explained, adding that squirt boating is about humility, about literally going with the flow, about listening to the river.
“Snyder’s book, while setting the stage for much greater things in kayaking, speaks louder now as a comment on putting the river, current and universe first. It stands in contrast to the bounce and bravado in today’s kayaking,” Jackson added.
Ultimately, squirt boating is about getting up close and personal with the river, about challenging yourself on and in the rapids in a way that isn’t flash– oftentimes it isn’t even visible. As the nineties trends like film photography and vintage bright windbreakers make their way back into the spotlight, maybe there’s a place for squirt boating in the mainstream too.
Charlie Walbridge has been the keeper of the American Whitewater Accident Database for 30 years. The lessons learned and practices developed from the data have saved countless lives. | Feature photo: Courtesy Charlie Walbridge
No name is as synonymous with river rescue as Charlie Walbridge. Walbridge was a driving force in kayak and canoe instruction at its dawn in the 1970s. He co-created the swiftwater rescue clinic and literally wrote the book on it.
Charlie Walbridge has been the keeper of the American Whitewater Accident Database for 30 years. The lessons learned and practices developed from the data have saved countless lives. | Feature photo: Courtesy Charlie Walbridge
For three decades, Walbridge has also volunteered as the chronicler of American Whitewater’s Accident Database, an indispensable trove of incidents providing empirical knowledge to the river-running community. The database holds more than 3,000 accounts. The majority have unfortunate endings in a sport we pursue to live life to the fullest. However, because of Walbridge’s decades dedicated to sharing insights from the data, an incalculable number of paddlers’ lives have also been saved.
Q&A with Charlie Walbridge on 30 years of river rescues
When was the first swiftwater rescue you were involved with?
In 1975 at an icebreaker slalom. There was a guy caught underwater. I was coming down the course and I pulled over and we ran downstream. Nobody knew what to do. It was a fatality. I was really upset and asking people questions. I found out the guy had been trying to stand up when he washed over a ledge, and his foot got caught under a rock. I wrote the accident report and it was published in several canoe club journals. I got a lot of feedback from people saying something similar had happened on their river. It turned out to be the first description of a foot entrapment.
Why did you decide to write this new book, Whitewater Rescues?
Writing about fatal accidents, it’s really useful to learn as much as we can. The whole purpose of what I do is to get people talking. But it’s pretty depressing. We also get near-miss reports and they haven’t really been the focus before. It took me a while to realize what we had. I was going through every near miss over the last 45 years and realized there’s good stuff there, too good just to sit in the database. These are amazing stories, and they’re not depressing. They’re stories of ingenuity, courage and persistence.
Where are the biggest takeaways you’ve seen over the years in river running safety?
We are much more knowledgeable about risks. Second, are the techniques swiftwater rescue has developed for dealing with those risks. For instance, in that first rescue I was present for, now, there would undoubtedly be people there who know how a stabilization line or a cinch works, and they would’ve made a real effort to get the guy out quickly.
Who eventually carries on your legacy in accident reporting?
I don’t think it’s going to be easy to find a volunteer to do what I’ve been doing. I suspect that for this to be successful, it’s going to have to be a staff position. When I’m done, I’m done. I have no timeframe in mind. I enjoy it. I plan to keep doing it, but I’m 75 years old and life moves on.
What’s kept you enjoying paddling all these decades while carrying a burden like the one you have for the whitewater community?
Well, it’s not a burden. When I hear about something, I want to find out what happened, like any other reporter. I talk to people, get the story and put it out there in the words of the people who were there. It’s fascinating and rewarding. And when I’m out on the river, I’m not thinking about that sort of thing. I’m just out with my buddies.
Rivers are incredibly beautiful. But it’s the people. When I think about the stories I tell, they’re often not about the rivers. They’re about people and the things we did together.
This article was first published in Issue 72 of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Charlie Walbridge has been the keeper of the American Whitewater Accident Database for 30 years. The lessons learned and practices developed from the data have saved countless lives. | Feature photo: Courtesy Charlie Walbridge
In the wake of REI ending its Experiences business, 29 paddling trips have ben cancelled for 2025 including San Juan Islands sea kayaking trips. Feature Image courtesy Maddy Marquardt
On January 8, 2025, REI president and CEO Eric Artz announced that REI would end its Experiences business. The Experiences business has been around for 40 years, and includes adventure travel, day tours, and classes.
Headquartered near Seattle, Washington, REI is the United States’ largest consumer co-op with 24 million members, specializing in outdoor and camping gear.
Over 400 employees, 180 full-time employees and 248 part-time guides’ jobs were eliminated.
REI ends Experiences business after 40 years, with 26 paddling trip options cut
“Earlier this morning we shared with our Experiences team that after a thorough review and careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to exit the Experiences business altogether, effective this week,” Artz wrote in the January 8 email to staff. Artz went on to explain that the program was not profitable and the co-op plans to return focus to “sustainable, profitable growth.”
The Experiences business has been a part of REI for over 40 years, providing guided adventure travel trips in various disciplines, including paddling, day trips, and classes. Final trips will be running mid-January, with all trips departing on or after January 15 cancelled.
In total, 19 kayaking, two canoe and five rafting trips options were cut in 2025 as well as a number of other climbing, backpacking, and multi-discipline guided outdoor trips and Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder courses. While some of these trips were outfitted entirely by REI in-house, many of these trips were contracted through small, local outfitters.
In his email to employees, Artz assured the Experiences team that they have worked extremely hard and created “wonderful experiences for nearly one million people over those years” and that they had done nothing wrong. Artz explained the business decision, stating that in 2024, Experiences served 40,000 customers, making up less than 0.4 percent of all co-op customers. He also shared that Experiences cost significantly more to run than it was bringing in.
“When we look at the all-up costs of running this business, including costs like marketing and technology, we are losing millions of dollars every year and subsidizing Experiences with profits from other parts of the business,” Artz wrote.
Artz also stated that every full-time employee laid off will continue to receive regular salary through March 9, and active benefits through the end of March, while part-time employees will remain “benefits-eligible through January 2025 and will also be eligible for a severance payment.” Additionally, employees who split time between Experiences and Stores may have the option to continue employment.
2025 REI Experiences layoffs impact employees, outfitters, and customers
Plans are in motion to update customers and partners, Artz shared. Customers currently booked on trips will receive a “full refund of all costs paid to REI.” Travel partners with REI, including small, local outfitters across the U.S. will also be impacted, with Artz sharing that REI would “begin informing partners this week and will work with them to terminate our existing contracts.”
Additionally, many kayaking outfitters who had partnered with REI to provide gear and in many cases guide their vendor-model trips are also significantly impacted.
“I would guess that it’s an equal or greater number of people that are losing their jobs from the vendor network than there are actually REI employees,” shared Brian Goodremont, of San Juan Outfitters in Washington. San Juan Outfitters has partnered with REI for 16 years to lead sea kayaking trips throughout the San Juan Islands, as well as a number of multi-day backpacking and multisport trips throughout Washington State.
Cancelled trips include a number of San Juan Islands sea kayaking trips for 2025. Feature Image courtesy Maddy Marquardt
“Everything that REI advertised and delivered in Washington State was us,” explained Goodremont, adding that San Juan Outfitters itself will be experiencing layoffs as a result. “It will take a significant amount of time to rebuild our business to where it was because to work with a partner like REI you have to sacrifice a lot of your other business.”
“I would typically employ 40 seasonal guides and 10 full-time year-round staff with benefits, and my seasonal staff is going to decrease by almost two thirds… I will probably lose two to three full-time year round support staff,” Goodremont added.
The news comes not only as a hit for the Experiences team and travel partners, but for travelers who used and loved the program as well.
“My experience with REI guides over the years has been so positive. I’m really upset about REI dropping the experience division of their company. I spent so much money at REI leading up to each trip,” Amanda, who asked to be identified by first name only, shared with Paddling Mag.
According to a source who asked not to be named and who had a headquarters position within REI Experiences, about 300 of the people laid off were field staff and guides, while 130 had positions in headquarters.
“I’m sad but I’m not shocked,” shared the former REI Experiences headquarters employee. “This is an incredible loss for REI. It’s the heart and soul of REI; it’s the actual getting outside.”
The former REI Experiences staffer shared that on January 7 they received an email for all employees to join a Microsoft Teams meeting at 8:30 a.m. PST the following day from a headquarters device. During the meeting, everyone’s mics were automatically shut off.
“The Experiences vibe was so fun and everyone was really passionate, and family. I had never worked on a team that was so big into celebrating each other,” shared the former employee. “The Teams chats on meetings would be really really silly and fun… the fact that we were all muted, shut off, there was no chat, was somber. Everyone was off camera.”
Despite the loss of REI Experiences business, the former headquarters employee remained hopeful, stating “such a bright pool of talent is ripe for the taking for competitors”.
What comes next for REI?
“We continue to believe there is a role for REI in outdoor education and expertise,” Artz shared in the email. “However, we need to reexamine and rework how we deliver classes and education to ensure they’re relevant to our customers, aligned to our mission and financially viable. We are funding a small team to innovate and test in this area in 2025.”
“Our goal must always be the long-term financial health of the co-op, and while today’s decision is a difficult one, it is necessary.”
This article was first published in Issue 72 of Paddling Magazine. 
