Orton went missing on May 16 while paddling with a group on the lower Melezza River in the Ticino Region of Switzerland. Community pages shared that Orton had become trapped in a recirculating feature and had not resurfaced.
Following the event, the British news outlet the Mirror published a statement from a spokesperson from Ticino Police: “Shortly before 2:45 p.m. in the area of Palagnedra, a man who was previously in a kayak was reported missing in the Melezza River. The searches—currently unsuccessful and still ongoing—began immediately and involve agents from the cantonal police and, in support, from the Ascona police as well as rescuers from the Locarnese and Valli Ambulance Service.”
The Daily Mail reported that following Orton’s disappearance, a group of 15 kayakers continuously conducted search efforts within the river corridor.
On May 30, 2024, the Ticino Police stated, “Shortly before 1 p.m. in Locarno, the lifeless body of the man who disappeared on May 16 while kayaking in the Melezza was found in the waters of Lake Maggiore. The alarm was triggered by a sailor who found the body in the water and immediately notified the emergency services.”
Remembering Bren Orton
Orton was one of the most gifted paddlers of his time. He was known for aerial freestyle displays on high-volume river waves and descending demanding sections of river around the world, including one of the tallest waterfalls ever run—128-foot Big Banana Falls.
More so though, Orton will be remembered as an ambassador of the sport, bringing a grinning ear-to-ear stoke both on and off the water. He was a person who provided encouragement to paddlers of all abilities he encountered. And through the authentic and welcoming persona he displayed on his online platforms, including the Senders YouTube channel, he fostered a connection with countless others.
In the weeks since Orton was first reported missing, the evidence of his impact on the sport has continued with outpourings of admiration and tributes from across the whitewater community.
Dane Jackson: “13 years, 17 countries, and not a single second together was time wasted. I look back on some of the best times of my life and so little of it I didn’t have you with me. As long as we were together, it didn’t matter where or what we were doing, it was going to be the best time. […] You were the best on and off the water, your creativity and motivation inspired me and so many others, and will continue to do so. I am grateful for the joy you brought to my life, and everyone else around you.”
Shane Simoneaux: “I’ll never forget the feeling I had when I listened to this voice message from Bren. I was still just about a year into kayaking and sending him videos to review and give me tips. He made me feel like I had a chance to be a really good kayaker (even though I was probably still a mega beater). I’m sure I’m not the only person he made feel this way either. To have someone you respect so much speak to you this way propels the human spirit to do more, and to really believe in yourself.”
Laura Hofberger: “I hope you knew what a positive effect you had on people. You were not only a good friend but also an idol for me. You always inspired me to try to be my best version, to be more like you. You were an even better person than a kayaker. And that says bloody a lot. You were kind to everyone, did everything with all your heart, celebrated life and chased your dreams. You truly lived.”
Huw Butterworth: “I can’t explain the influence you had on me, and saying that I would not be where I am right now if it wasn’t for you is not an overstatement. You helped me with little things like making sure my camera was set to the right settings, and bigger things like pushing me to make the right moves in my paddling career. I will always aspire to have high levels of stoke and kindness like you!”
Zack Mutton: “I’m grateful for the friendship I shared with Bren. In the last 3 years he was with me for some pivotable life moments on the water and was there for me when I needed it most off the water. It goes without saying he was one of the best well rounded paddlers in the world and invaluable to the kayaking community as a whole. He loved sharing his stoke for kayaking and took time for people that looked up to him. Bren helped me to mature as a paddler both skill wise and mentally. He wasn’t afraid to be harsh and tell me how it was sometimes, and he stood for what he knew was true & right. I came to hold a lot of respect for him and he will continue to influence my life. As life goes on I will try to live my life as Bren did: courageously and bravely approaching life’s adventures head first, one at a time.”
Emily Jackson: “I remind myself of the difference between Living and Being Alive- and the blessing of being surrounded by individuals that know the difference. If you take time to listen to Bren’s videos, interviews, podcast you’ll notice he was incredibly self aware of this truth and pursued living life to the fullest […] May we use Bren’s energy to prioritize the passions and people that make us feel the most alive.”
Minnesota’s more than 10,000 beautiful lakes and abundance of wild rivers make this a place seemingly purpose-built for canoe tripping. With so many tempting options to choose from, it can be challenging to know where to start. Thankfully, the state is also home to plenty of professional outfitters offering expertly guided trips to turn your paddling dreams into reality.
Guided trips are perfect for novices, families and individuals looking to join a group. But these all-inclusive getaways also offer a pampered alternative to roughing it for more seasoned canoe trippers. Say goodbye to freeze-dried meals; treat yourself to the luxury of being wined and dined on a fully outfitted trip.
Beyond convenience and amazing food, you can trust these local experts to take care of all the complex logistics, including permits and shuttles, providing top-notch paddling equipment, and planning the best itineraries to take in all the highlights. Whatever your canoeing skill level, your guides can help you brush up on technique, as well as keep you safe and offer interpretation to enhance your experience.
We’ve explored Minnesota’s top canoe tripping destinations to assemble a list of the best all-inclusive paddling escapes, including relaxing family getaways, challenging backcountry adventures and everything in between.
The trip: Boundary Waters Base Camp: Potlikker and Smoke with Chef Lachelle
If you enjoy exploring and eating locavore, join this four-day culinary wilderness adventure in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA). Guests will spend their days paddling, portaging and foraging in Minnesota’s acclaimed canoe area, and their evenings learning, cooking and eating with Minneapolis-St. Paul chef Lachelle Cunningham.
The outfitter
Minneapolis-based Wilderness Inquiry has been leading canoe trips in the Boundary Waters’ million-acre wilderness since the 1970s. Their BWCA guided trips combine decades of intimate experience with top-notch food and gear. Trip options include a quintessential five-day canoe trip on Sawbill and Kelso lakes, a challenging seven-day expedition, or a relaxed five-day base camp and family canoe and hike adventures. For a more luxurious experience, choose their four-day lodge-based adventure centered out of stunning Wintergreen Lodge on White Iron Lake.
Best for
Adults seeking an introductory BWCA adventure and a meaningful exploration of natural foods.
Bonus perk you can’t resist
Themes of wellness and relaxation continue with guided movement exercises on the beach, yoga, breathwork, a sound-healing experience and forest bathing.
Travel the world-renowned Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness during the quiet season and see the boreal forest in all its fall color splendor. A late September departure ensures this six-day guided canoe trip takes in the best of the North Woods’ vibrant autumn displays, including showy aspen and golden birch. Wildlife is also on the move in the fall, increasing your chances of seeing moose, bear, otter and beaver—or even hearing the howl of wolves as you enjoy a crackling campfire.
The outfitter
Long-standing Ely-based outfitter, Piragis Northwoods Company, provides custom trips as well as scheduled guided canoe trips for groups with unique themes, including fishing trips, a women’s-only canoe trip, and a Boundary Waters stargazing canoe trip. Piragis also offers a practical “Jump Start” guide service, which includes a one-day primer with a professional guide to set you off on a successful trip. Boundary Waters gear rentals and partial and complete outfitting are also available.
Best for
Photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, those looking for relaxed-to-moderate daily distances.
Bonus perk you can’t resist
Don’t miss the impressive bookstore, featuring many outdoor titles, at Piragis Northwoods’ central location in downtown Ely.
This three-day adventure promises a fun-filled family camping experience along the beautiful and historic St. Croix River between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Marvel at a 200-foot gorge, Ice Age potholes and scenic rock formations sculpted by this National Scenic Riverway—widely considered one of the best canoeing rivers in the country. You’ll paddle spacious and stable 24-foot North canoes down the easy-flowing water, enjoying scenic campsites along the way.
The outfitter
A Minneapolis-based nonprofit specializing in equitable access to the outdoors, Wilderness Inquiry creates memorable journeys for families and youth. They’ll handle all the equipment, logistics and meals on this relaxing weekend escape—just bring your sense of adventure.
Best for
Families—easy paddling makes this a great option for all ages and abilities.
Bonus perk you can’t resist
Superb swimming in the clean, clear water of the St. Croix River.
Experience the magic of the Boundary Waters with others who identify as LGBTQ+ on this four-day, all-inclusive canoe camping trip. You’ll be geared up with the best canoeing and camping equipment, feast on mouthwatering meals, and enjoy days of both travel and base camping. This trip is queer-guided and focused on building community and learning with one another in a safe and supportive environment.
The outfitter
Ely Outfitting Company is a gay-owned business that supports diversity and inclusion in outdoor spaces. They offer personalized guided canoe trips for groups of up to eight, ranging from two to eight days, with longer expeditions available. Or choose from women’s-only, beginner or photography group trips in the Boundary Waters. Guides will teach you the camping and paddling skills you’ll need for future trips, while providing insight into the local history and your natural surroundings.
Best for
Friends and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.
Bonus perk you can’t resist
Discovering waterfalls and wildlife while traveling in the wilderness with other bold members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Departing from Minnesota Highway 61, this three-day trip travels the remote eastern section of the famed canoe area. Explore a scenic region filled with spectacular bluffs, remote waterfalls and crystal clear waters, making this the perfect introduction to the Boundary Waters for beginners.
The outfitter
Border Lakes Tour Company is a Grand Marais-based outfitter that offers a range of Boundary Waters day and multiday guided trips. Scheduled group tours and custom private trips are available.
Best for
Solo travelers, couples, friends and families with all levels of experience.
Bonus perk you can’t resist
Dinner specialties include steak fajitas and Korean rice bowls.
Travel the historic Voyageur Highway through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on this six-day paddle-and-portage adventure. Expect a challenging route where you’ll pitch your tent in a new campsite every night, view captivating Indigenous pictographs and witness spectacular Basswood and Curtain falls. Rugged portages and deep wilderness round out this classic BWCA experience.
The outfitter
Piragis Northwoods Company is one of the vibrant businesses that makes downtown Ely such a great place to visit. From its Central Avenue location, Piragis offers rentals, outfitting and sales—along with a variety of popular theme-based guided canoe trips, including fishing, women’s and stargazing trips.
Best for
Adult canoeists looking for a challenge—this is a moving trip with many miles and many portages.
Bonus perk you can’t resist
Searching the sheer cliffs of Picture Rock for images of animals, birds and spiritual figures painted centuries ago by Indigenous paddlers.
From feisty smallmouth bass and northern pike to elusive lake trout and the tastiest walleye, the Boundary Waters is an angler’s paradise. Expertly tailored for die-hard anglers, Moose Track Adventures’ custom canoe trips offer an all-inclusive, guided Boundary Waters getaway with lots of great fishing and an insider scoop. Routes are selected based on your interests, desired intensity and skill level, as well as scenery and trip length.
With direct access to the BWCA near Ely, Moose Track Adventures’ experienced canoe and fishing guides specialize in helping anglers make the most of the Boundary Waters’ outstanding sportfishing. Enjoy a stay in the outfitters’ lakefront housekeeping cabins before or after your canoe trip.
Best for
Angling enthusiasts.
Bonus perk you can’t resist
Savoring your fresh catch, prepared gourmet by your guide.
According to Expedia, 71 percent of Canadians haven’t seen the northern lights—but they definitely want to. In fact, the travel hub’s survey indicated that a growing desire to witness the amazing kaleidoscope of colors that lights up the night sky, particularly in high-latitude locations, is the greatest travel trend of 2024. What better way to see the northern lights than on a paddling trip?
Aurora borealis, familiarly known as the northern lights, occur when strong solar storms pummel the Earth’s magnetic fields with charged particles. Just as meteorologists predict the weather, experts can also forecast the likelihood of northern lights. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting that northern lights will peak in the summer of 2025, as the sun’s magnetic field shifts and solar storms become stronger (don’t worry, this is a normal cycle). Short-term space weather forecasts are also available.
It is a special treat to see the northern lights dancing over your campsite on a canoe or kayak trip. It makes sense that northern, subarctic and polar destinations are the best places to paddle and see the northern lights, along with similar latitudes in the southern hemisphere. The best times to view typically coincide with later in the paddling season; not only is solar activity more pronounced as summer turns to autumn, shorter daylight hours as the seasons turn also makes for better viewing. Regardless of your position in the northern hemisphere, aurora borealis is most frequently observed in the northern skies. The opposite holds true for aurora australis south of the equator.
Expedia identified Finland and Churchill, Manitoba as the world’s top northern lights destinations. Our article showcases the best places to see the northern lights on a paddling trip. You may be surprised to learn you don’t have to travel to the ends of the Earth to witness shimmering night skies. Sea kayakers on the Great Lakes and in the Pacific Northwest stand a solid chance of observing the aurora on August trips, just as canoeists in the Boundary Waters, Algonquin and Killarney may be amazed by curtains of color radiating from the heavens on crisp, moonless nights.
VIEW ALL TRIPS
Alaska
1 Prince William Sound
Given its northern latitude, it’s no surprise Alaska abounds with opportunities to see the northern lights—as long as you plan your trip away from the long daylight hours of the solstice. Coastal Alaska, including Prince William Sound, is a sea kayaker’s dream, with remote yet mostly sheltered waters, glaciers and bucket-list wildlife, as well as good odds of seeing the northern lights in August. Guided sea kayak trips make this Alaskan destination doable for families and paddlers of all skill levels.
2 Wild Rivers: Alsek, Noatak and more
There’s no shortage of whitewater rivers in Alaska for paddlers to drool over. Guided raft expeditions on iconic waterways like the Tatshenshini and Alsek, which cross the panhandle from Canada’s Yukon Territory and Alaska, are truly adventures of a lifetime. Wild river canoeists can experience the immensity of Alaska’s interior on the Noatak and Koyukuk rivers, where the northern lights dance over Gates of the Arctic National Park. Don’t discount the lesser-known waterways like Birch Creek and the Gulkana River, where novice whitewater kayakers can experience the Last Frontier on guided trips.
VIEW ALL RIVER TRIPS IN ALASKA
Photo: Stein Egil Liland/Pexels
Canada’s Far North
3 Yukon
Robert Service immortalized the northern lights-viewing potential of the Yukon in “The Cremation of Sam McGee.” The Yukon is truly larger than life, living up to the legends of Service and Jack London for its incredible wilderness, fascinating wildlife and immense rivers. The Yukon River is a classic, with the same backdrop that set the stage for the gold rush well over a century ago and generally flat water suitable for canoeists and kayakers. If you’re looking for mountain scenery and whitewater, check out the rivers cascading into the Peel River watershed, including the Snake, Bonnet Plume and Natla-Keele. Farther north, several Yukon Rivers are great for rafting and canoe trips to the Arctic Ocean. As with any subarctic paddling destination, the trick to catch the northern lights is to time your trip later in the summer, when darkness returns in the lands of the midnight sun.
VIEW ALL RIVER TRIPS IN THE YUKON
4 Northwest Territories
There’s no better place for sky-watching than the treeless Barrenlands of Canada’s subarctic, including large chunks of the Northwest Territories. Classic Barrenlands rivers include the historic Coppermine. Farther west, the NWT shoulders into the Northern Rockies, giving rise to the South Nahanni River—with deep canyons and a massive waterfall ranking it amongst the planet’s most scenic waterways. Don’t discount sea kayaking trips here, too: a mid-August expedition on Great Slave Lake affords a solid chance to see the northern lights and to experience paddling the wilderness shores of a northern inland sea.
VIEW ALL TRIPS IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
5 Nunavut
Nunavut is immense, spanning the subarctic Barrenlands to Hudson Bay and north to Canada’s Arctic archipelago. Latitude dictates northern lights-viewing potential: the odds are best if you come later in the summer, once darkness has returned. Nunavut is home to countless wilderness canoe trips and signing up for a guided trip opens this territory to all levels of paddlers. The Thelon River boasts incredible wildlife and minimal whitewater challenges, making it suitable for novices. At the other end of the spectrum, the Hood River features amazing waterfalls and some of the best whitewater canoeing in the North. Paddling the Soper River on Baffin Island, home to caribou, muskox and Arctic wolves, is truly an experience of a lifetime.
VIEW ALL TRIPS IN NUNAVUT
Feature photo: Greg Johnson/Unsplash
Ontario
6 Missinaibi River
An expedition on Northern Ontario’s Missinaibi River is a trip all canoeists should experience—and makes for a tempting teaser for future canoe routes across the Canadian subarctic. The Missinaibi (and Moose River) flows across over 300 miles of boreal wilderness, serving as an aquatic highway between Lake Superior and the Arctic Ocean at James Bay. The river features spectacular waterfalls and good rapids to practice whitewater canoeing, and its northerly latitudes make it a good destination to watch for northern lights. You don’t have to paddle the entire river at once: guided trips isolate the Missinaibi’s greatest highlights and provide the unique option of accessing the river by floatplane.
7 Killarney Provincial Park
By day, Killarney Provincial Park is celebrated as the “crown jewel” of Ontario parks for its austere quartzite hills and lush mixed forests. By night, this wilderness park in Northeastern Ontario is recognized as an International Dark Sky Preserve. Like other popular canoe destinations, Killarney really shines when the crowds thin in the shoulder seasons. The longer nights of September and October make for the best opportunities for stargazing and watching for the telltale colors of northern lights. Several local outfitters make it easy to plan a trip and secure tried-and-true canoes and gear.
8 Lake Superior
Lake Superior is a world-class sea kayaking destination with incredible wilderness coastlines offering a diversity of paddling experiences. Pukaskwa National Park, located north of Wawa, is a highlight of the Greatest Lake, with over 100 miles of roadless shoreline beckoning advanced paddlers to explore. North-facing campsites may offer glimpses of the aurora in July and early August, which is also the best time to paddle on Lake Superior. A local outfitter is an asset in handling the logistics of vehicle shuttles and rental gear. Guided trips are also available for intermediate paddlers.
Michigan & Minnesota
9 Isle Royale National Park
Lake Superior is truly an inland sea, especially for paddlers exploring the wild coastline of Isle Royale National Park, accessible by ferry from Northern Michigan or Minnesota. Uninterrupted views across miles of open water set the perfect backdrop to view colorful aurora on August sea kayak trips. Isle Royale is the least-visited national park in the Lower 48 and its shoreline is rugged and exposed, making it a good destination for intermediate and advanced sea kayakers. Many options for guided trips are available.
10 Boundary Waters Canoe Area
The crowds thin come autumn in the world’s most popular canoe country, making September an ideal time to find solitude in Northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This vast mosaic of lakes and rivers spreads across over one million acres of north woods, making for plenty of options for experienced canoe trippers to plan a trip. Regional outfitters are great resources for trip planning, rentals and vehicle shuttles and guided trips are available for novices. Later in the paddling season, Boundary Waters’ night skies often deliver remarkable curtains of yellow and green northern lights for lucky paddlers to observe, making this one of the most reliable places to view the aurora in the Lower 48.
VIEW ALL BOUNDARY WATERS TRIPS
Pacific Northwest
11 San Juan Islands
Washington’s San Juan Islands feel bucolic, set in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains and defined by sheltered channels and quaint communities. But this popular sea kayaking destination is also one of the northernmost points in the continental U.S., contributing to its potential as a northern lights destination for paddlers. Plenty of options are available for guided trips, outfitting packages and rentals from local businesses.
12 Haida Gwaii
The magical islands of Haida Gwaii, far offshore mainland British Columbia, are a bucket-list sea kayaking destination for their great marine and terrestrial wildlife, dreamy hot springs and rich Indigenous culture. You can add northern lights to that list, too—with the possibility of viewing shimmering auroras over the watery horizon of Hecate Strait. Outfitters are available to help experienced sea kayakers plan their own Haida Gwaii adventure, and novice to intermediate paddlers can sign up for guided trips throughout the summer months.
Photo: Tobias Bjørkli/Pexels
Scandinavia
13 Norway
Norway’s fjords and crenulated coastline are a dreamscape for sea kayakers. A paddling trip in a place like Tromsø reveals Norway’s immense potential for adventure. You’ll find deep, rockbound fjords and secluded gravel beaches leading to awesome hiking opportunities. The colorful homes of small fishing communities make for great cultural experiences, too. Visit a bit later in the summer to round out the trip of a lifetime with northern lights.
VIEW ALL TRIPS IN NORWAY
14 Finland
In many ways, Finland is the Scandinavian analog to Canada: the country boasts fantastic canoe tripping opportunities in several national parks as well as the Finnish Lake District, a boreal paradise of interconnected waterways. Farther north, the boreal forest gives way to subarctic taiga in Lapland, home to reindeer and rocky shorelines closely resembling North American canoe country.
Regardless of where you’re from, you’ve probably heard of India’s Ganges River: It is one of the world’s longest rivers at nearly 2,700 kilometers. Tracing the border of India and Bangladesh, the Ganges basin is home to more than half of India’s population, and it’s considered holy to people of Hindu, Buddhist and Jainism faiths.
Click for a larger view of Rency Thomas’ route map.
Expedition paddler and raft guide Rency Thomas grew up knowing that the Ganges River is central to his Indian culture and national identity.
“In India, rivers are considered very sacred and holy,” says the 36-year-old resident of Manali, part of the state of Himachal Pradesh, in India’s Himalayas. “The River Ganga is the most sacred river of all. It is believed that by bathing in the holy waters of Ganga one can purify the soul from all sins and attain salvation.”
The Ganges has another important meaning to Thomas: It’s where he discovered paddling.
“Born and raised in India, the River Ganga was part of our lives in stories, in scriptures, in academics like geography and history,” he says. “Somehow, the river has always fascinated me.”
One of the many remote campsites Rency stayed at along the journey. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Rency’s support vehicle following tractor tracks through remote farmlands to reach the riverside. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Beautiful Gangotri National Park. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
The expedition team after crossing the last barrage of the journey: Farakka. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Star trails on the banks of the Ganges in Uttarakhand. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
An exploration of the Ganges
A self-propelled source to sea expedition was the ultimate way for Thomas to pay tribute to this sacred waterway and satisfy his own desires to know it more intimately. He knew portions of the Ganges were remote with difficult access, and the river is also impeded by six dams. Thomas also faced the challenge of dealing with his own chronic arthritis, which makes it difficult for him to sit in place for long periods of time.
“I have been a chronic arthritis patient since the age of 20,” he says. “Many of my joints are affected and have limited mobility. Last year I had a very severe flare-up and was bedridden for almost two months. Two of my fingers on my right hand were deformed with limited mobility. This scared me and made me want to finish my dream project as soon as possible.”
Rency at the Gaumukh Glacier, day one of the expedition. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Rency resting on the way back to Gangotri. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Rency and his wife, Ponni, on a rocky moraine during the the trek portion of the journey. The Gangotri group of peaks are visible behind them. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
To convince himself that his body was up to the task, he spent a month putting in eight-hour days in his kayak, discovering his personal limits on the water. Last fall, feeling prepared, Thomas set out on foot on the Gaumukh Glacier at 4,023 meters of elevation in the Himalayas, the source of the Bhagirathi River which in turn feeds the Ganges. After 23 kilometers of trekking, Thomas paddled 60 kilometers in a whitewater kayak on the Bhagirathi, and then switched to a sea kayak on the Ganges River itself. Along the way, he also put in about 800 kilometers of mountain biking to avoid obstructions or other difficulties on the river.
“It was pretty much a pure exploration in the river as there are no navigation charts or earlier data,” Thomas says. “The river changes its course every year. Even the satellite imagery is not reliable as it’s been recorded before monsoon.”
The expedition team heading to the Gomukh Glacier to begin the trek. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Rency cycling along the non-navigable headwaters of the Bhagirathi River. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
One of the many remote villages Rency cycled through in the Himalayas. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Tracing the lifeline of India
The Ganges River is home to incredible wildlife and Thomas encountered millions of migrating birds, elephants, golden mahseer (an endangered species of carp), freshwater turtles and gharials (a critically endangered, fish-eating crocodile). The greatest highlight for Thomas was seeing Gangetic dolphins, a unique freshwater dolphin that’s elusive and difficult to observe, swimming alongside his kayak.
[ Plan your next river run with the Paddling Trip Guide ]
The characteristics of the Ganges changed considerably over the course of Thomas’ 95-day expedition from the Himalayas to the Bengal Sea. The waterway passes through five different Indian states, and Thomas notes that for just about every 100 kilometers of river there’s a distinct culture and dialect. Just as Thomas sought to explore the river as a means of challenging his body and getting to know his home country, he discovered the Ganges River is truly “a lifeline for the people” of India.
“The culture and life around this huge river is so overwhelming.”
A local roadside vendor preparing local breakfast near Narora Barrage. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Local farmer transporting wooden twigs for farming. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Curious villagers watch Rency take off for the day. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Pilgrim doing the Ganga Puja in the holy river. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
As he neared the end of his 2,600-kilometer sojourn, Thomas was left with a firm feeling of resolve that’s gaining momentum across India as local environmentalists battle to leverage legal “personhood” status to protect the Ganges River.
“The river needs to be safeguarded,” Thomas asserts. “Any destruction to this river in terms of pollution and building dams can be very devastating to the rich wildlife and people. The people living around this river are dependent on it for drinking water, fishing, irrigation—even the industries around rely on the water from Ganga. Any developments in and around Ganga must be sustainable and special focus and awareness should be given in keeping the river clean.”
Rency’s kayak along with backup vehicle crossing the Ganges on a bamboo barge. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Taking out the kayak on a sandy beach in Uttar Pradesh and beginning the carry to a campsite one-kilometer away. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Paddling with migratory birds in Triveni. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
The expedition team along with Rency celebrating the final day reaching Gangasagar. | Photo: Ponni M. Nath
Completing his journey felt like “a dream come true.”
“I find solace in outdoor sports,” Thomas says. “I love high-altitude trekking and mountaineering, but it’s on the water where I feel most at home. I feel so proud of my accomplishments but at the same time, so humble and thankful to River Ganga for keeping me safe.”
Electric paddleboards can increase range, safety and accessibility—watt a time to be alive. | Feature photo: Andy Zeltkalns
Ten years ago, electric bikes were still considered quirky, and the people who pedalled them lesser cyclists—at least by their more purist peers. Today, electric-assist has become mainstream in every realm of cycling, from mountain biking to urban commuting and recreational riding.
Rapid technological advances, especially rechargeable batteries, mean e-bikes are no longer clunkier than conventional bicycles. They’re cool, functional, affordable—and here to stay. Today, e-bike sales are the fastest-growing sector in the bicycle industry. According to the National Bike Dealers Association, e-bikes are rapidly approaching 40 percent of all bicycles sold across U.S. and European markets.
Standup paddleboarding may be poised to follow suit. In just a few short years, a growing selection of compact, competitively priced and high-performing electric propulsion options have emerged. Just like e-bikes, proponents of e-SUPs say electric propulsion doesn’t diminish the standup paddling experience in the least. Instead, it can enhance it—increasing range, safety and accessibility.
Everything you wanted to know about electric SUPs
The cycling industry has watched electric-assist lure a broader and more diverse population into the saddle. Electric propulsion SUPs have the potential to do the same.
“People have different physical capabilities and paddling can be a different experience for a child, an adult or an elderly person,” says Sebastjan Sitar, founder of SipaBoards, an electric SUP manufacturer based in Slovenia.
“Whenever you’re surprised by a tide, current or wind, the motor is there to help you back,” Sitar continues. “It’s safer. And it’s more fun because you can go faster, farther and discover more.”
Electric paddleboards can increase range, safety and accessibility—watt a time to be alive. | Feature photo: Andy Zeltkalns
Today, there’s a variety of designs and propulsion options for e-SUPs. Many are available as aftermarket conversion kits that can be easily installed on your favorite board using a simple fin box attachment. Others are complete, fully integrated board, battery and electric motor packages. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll find if you explore electric.
The case for going electric
Standup paddleboarding is a silent, self-powered sport that provides a complete workout by strengthening your core and working on your balance. So, for some avid paddleboarders, electric propulsion sounds like cheating or simply unnecessary. But while it’s true that ever-improving battery life means you could zip around for hours without ever lifting your paddle, most e-SUP paddlers are seeking more of a hybrid experience.
For starters, consider range. With an electric SUP, you can go farther and get there faster, increasing options on where to paddle and how far you can explore. Compact electric propulsion systems allow you to paddle your board just as you usually would, then engage the electric motor to assist or take over if you become tired.
Electric propulsion can also enhance safety, making getting back to the launch easier if you get caught out by wind, changing tides or challenging currents. Even die-hard paddlers can appreciate the security of knowing they won’t be blown backward or offshore if they stop paddling.
“We came up with the idea after getting into standup paddleboarding and every time we would go out, we’d be fighting headwinds or strong currents,” confirms Mike Radenbaugh, cofounder of Seattle-based ElectraFin, one of the very first SUP electric conversion kits.
Paddlers can also use a low-speed electric motor to provide a little boost while paddling a fully loaded board. This is a great option for bringing kids, dogs or a friend with less effort. And just like their kayak counterparts, SUP anglers will quickly see the benefits of electric-assist for fishing.
Wear The Appropriate Leash When Stand Up Paddleboarding
Always wear a leash on open bodies of water like lakes, bays, and oceans. Due to the risk of snags and entrapment, leashes should only be worn on rivers if they include a quick release attached to your life jacket.
Finally, electric SUPs can make paddleboarding more inclusive. “E-SUPs provide access for people with more limited mobility,” says Tom Watson, president of ePropulsion USA, “they allow people to get on the water easily, anywhere.”
With the global megatrend toward electric mobility, demand for e-SUPs is growing steadily, claims Sitar.
Advocates say electric paddleboards can enhance accessibility, enabling individuals with varying physical abilities to enjoy the sport. | Photo: Cory Leis
It’s electric: Current propulsion options
The first dedicated standup paddleboard electric conversion kits hit the water in 2013, with integrated jet drive electric paddleboards emerging just a couple of years later. Since then, advances in rechargeable batteries and electric motors have increased run time and range while decreasing size and weight.
Like e-bikes, electric SUPs transfer power from a battery to an electric motor. And similar to e-bike engineers, e-SUP designers have invented a few nifty ways to propel that motor. Today’s e-SUPs use three main electric propulsion options. Each system offers different benefits and trade-offs when it comes to features and performance.
Bixpy K1 Motor. | Photo: Courtesy Bixpy
1 Electric propeller drive
These systems use a submerged propeller with a built-in electric motor, usually installed in place of the center fin using a universal adapter. Installation is quick and easy, so you can share the drive between multiple boards. The chief advantage of these electric conversion kits is they can be mounted to just about any paddleboard, instantly converting your favorite board into an e-SUP.
Propeller drives are quiet, efficient and can provide good range and speed—up to 11 km/hr for some models. They’re also the most affordable electric conversion option, retailing for as little as $400 for a complete kit.
Some propeller systems replace the center fin, significantly reducing tracking when the motor is off. They also create more paddling resistance than other electric options—two important considerations if you mostly enjoy paddling your SUP and only plan to use the motor occasionally. The propeller is also more susceptible to damage or entanglement from underwater obstacles and seaweed. Another option is to mount the prop system on an adjustable adapter arm, raising and lowering as necessary.
You’ll need to store the battery pack somewhere on your board. Fortunately, e-SUP batteries are increasingly low profile, and most paddlers slip the waterproof case under the rear deck bungees. Expect the combined battery and motor weight to add up to 11 pounds to your board.
Electric propeller kit manufacturers include Bixpy, ePropulsion (makers of the Vaquita) and Aqua Marina.
Aqua Marina Bluedrive X. | Photo: Courtesy Aqua Marina
2 Electric fin propulsion
These conversion kits are installed similarly to electric propeller drives, using a motorized fan mounted in the board’s fin system. However, instead of an external battery, electric fins use an all-in-one design with integrated batteries. The tube-shaped design allows for a versatile propulsion system that can be used on your SUP or handheld for underwater propulsion when snorkeling or diving.
Electric fins use either a compact turbine or a powerful water jet system to provide propulsion. The streamlined designs leave your board’s deck free of battery packs and cable connections. Turbine fins can provide up to a 7 km/hr boost, while jet fins are capable of speeds up to 11 km/hr.
Know The Local Hazards
Check navigation charts before you launch.
Check with those who have local knowledge of man-made and natural hazards, e.g. low-head dams; sweepers, strainers and undercuts; tides and currents; and rocks and shoals.
The major drawback to an all-in-one electric fin is the smaller batteries provide limited range. Depending on the model, you can expect a maximum of 60 to 120 minutes of run time at easy cruising speed. These systems are also a more expensive option than conventional electric propeller conversion kits.
Current electric fin options include the Scubajet and Aqua Marina Bluedrive X.
Jobe E-Duna Electric Drive. | Photo: Courtesy Jobe
3 Integrated electric jet propulsion
Fully integrated electric jet drive SUPs work similarly to jet skis, with a water intake and jet nozzle for propulsion driven by an electric motor. These systems are available as complete board packages with various inflatable, travel-friendly designs, including touring, all-round and angler models.
The slick, all-in-one design is what makes these self-inflating e-SUPs so appealing. A waterproof pod housing the jet propulsion motor, compact air compressor and rechargeable battery inserts seamlessly into the center of the paddleboard. The built-in paddleboard pump inflates the board in minutes with the push of a button, using its own power supply.
Jet propulsion systems are powerful and can boast impressive speeds—7–11 km/hr, depending on the board—with up to six hours of battery life. “People just go all-in on these boards,” confirms SipaBoards founder Sitar. “We have users reporting 30- to 40-kilometer rides on a single tour.”
They’re also reasonably lightweight, with the jet drive weighing about 11 pounds and an overall weight of around 30 pounds for a 12-foot-long board.
Another major advantage of these systems is their paddle-friendly functionality. Integrated jet propulsion offers true electric-assist, enhancing your paddle stroke just like pedal-assist on an e-bike. Since the drive doesn’t compromise the fin system, the SUP feels and tracks just like a regular paddleboard. And if you choose to paddle the board completely unassisted, the drive creates zero resistance.
There are a couple drawbacks to an integrated jet drive board. If you enjoy the tranquility of gliding along silently in nature, the noise of a jet propulsion drive can detract from the experience. At top speed, the motor produces around 64 decibels—about the same volume as a dishwasher or household vacuum. It’s what audio experts consider an intrusive level of sound.
Outfitters are experimenting with electric paddleboards to allow clients to explore farther with less effort. | Photo: Casey Marshall
Also, if you already have a SUP you enjoy paddling, an electric conversion kit offers a more affordable alternative to investing $2,000-$2,500 in a new inflatable electric board.
SipaBoards, Jobe and Torque offer top-quality inflatable boards with integrated electric jet propulsion.
Electric paddleboards: How they work & safety
Whichever propulsion system you choose, all e-SUPs include an easy-to-use remote for controlling the motor. The most common controller is a wireless remote that attaches to your paddle and allows you to adjust speed with the touch of a button. Some manufacturers also offer a wristwatch controller or an app for your smartphone.
The systems also have sensors and safeties to ensure the motor stops should you fall off the board or drop the control. Even so, you should always wear a leash when paddling an e-SUP. Wider, more stable boards or drop stitch inflatable SUPs are good choices for electric conversion kits, says ePropulsion’s Watson.
Dress For Immersion, Not Air Temperature
Your body loses heat much faster when immersed in cold water than it does when dry.
Avoid cotton clothing like t-shirts and jeans; they retain water and accelerate cooling when wet. Synthetic fabrics, or wool, are generally a better choice. If the water is very cold (60° fahrenheit or less), you should wear a wetsuit or drysuit.
Keep in mind electric motors are designed to power through wind and mild chop while tracking straight. To steer and turn the board, you’ll still need to use your paddle. Using a nose rudder—steering with the blade placed beside the nose of the board—is the most effective way to maneuver your e-SUP. Moving your weight back on the board will also enable faster, tighter turns.
When it comes to safety, it’s important to remember electric SUP users must still develop and consider their paddling abilities. Yes, e-SUPs have the potential to increase speed and range, but you should only ever go as far as you’re able to physically paddle back.
Finally, nothing will harsh your mellow on a peaceful paddleboarding jaunt like range anxiety. Test your electric propulsion system in various conditions and speeds to accurately assess battery life. On a longer tour, save the electric-assist for the return journey. Electric propulsion only enhances safety if you conserve enough juice to get home.
This article was first published in the Spring 2024 issue of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
Electric paddleboards can increase range, safety and accessibility—watt a time to be alive. | Feature photo: Andy Zeltkalns
After a mere two and a half months out of production, Stohlquist is making a comeback, thanks to being acquired by the watersports company, Sport Dimension Inc.
Back in December, Stohlquist’s parent company, Aqualung Group, was acquired by the investment banking firm, Barings. Soon after, it was announced Stohlquist would cease operations, as Aqualung would no longer be pursuing sporting goods within North America. Stohqulist had been manufacturing paddlesports equipment—most notably PFDs—for 46 years. Word at the time was that there were several parties interested in purchasing Stohlquist, but it was unclear what Barings and Aqualung’s plans for the brand were going forward.
On April 25, Aqualung announced the sale of Stohlquist to Sport Dimension Inc., a company that’s been around since 1992 and is responsible for familiar names like Body Glove, JetPilot and Nautica. The acquisition happened quickly, with discussions between the two companies starting just over two months ago and a deal reached within three weeks of negotiations.
“It’s been a process, but we already cover a lot of the PFD life vest category in terms of general boating PFDs, wakeboarding PFDs,” explains Terrence Lin, director of marketing and communications at Sport Dimension. “I think the one category we didn’t cover is kayak and canoeing PFDs. So it was really a no-brainer for us to acquire Stohlquist, being that it’s been around for so long.”
Sport Dimension’s plans for the brand
Paddlers can expect to continue to see Stohlquist PFDs lining the shelves of retail stores and available for order online—the last orders were fulfilled by Aqualung in March and Sport Dimension started shipping orders May 1. Product offerings will remain much the same through 2025, with possibly the addition of lower price-point items.
Feature photo: Courtesy Sport Dimension/Stohlquist
“I think that’s one thing we started to struggle with at Stohlquist under the Aqualung leadership, was that our prices started to go up and out of the price range that key accounts can be successful with,” comments Nick Rogers, Stohlquist brand manager. “So we’re looking to provide a little more differentiation there.”
Come 2026, they’ll start to change up the playbook, refreshing colors and styles.
“And then definitely come to market with as many new products as my product team has time for,” Rogers continues. “But we’re also going to be very intentional, we’re not just going to make changes to make changes.”
According to Rogers, thanks to Sport Dimension owning its own factories, Stohlquist will be able to get new products to market very quickly. The brand will also be able to leverage the capitalization its new parent company brings to the table.
“The Aqualung Group was highly challenged from that point of view,” says Rogers. “So in the customer’s previous mind of all the deficiencies they experienced with Aqualung—not getting the product, not getting it on time, being invoiced incorrectly—I think Sport Dimension has a high level of operational excellence that the customers are going to be very happy with.”
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: View Stohlquist PFDs ]
And while paddlers shouldn’t expect to see drywear added back into Stohlquist’s product lineup any time soon, the brand will be using its new connection to the neoprene experts at Body Glove to potentially introduce a neoprene line. Spitballing, Rogers mentions reintroducing John and Jane wetsuits, expanding booties and footwear, and bringing back the Seaboard watershoe and cold-weather paddling gloves.
Stohlquist seeks to build paddling partnerships
Meanwhile, Lin has big plans for marketing Stohlquist.
“I think in terms of marketing, Stohlquist wasn’t really doing much in investing in paddlers or people who were authentically tied to the community,” he says. “We want to invest in people who are able to represent the brand well and are able to create authentic storytelling for us. That lends more credibility to our products as a whole.”
This will largely take the form of working with paddlers and anglers who can become brand ambassadors.
Rogers explains his guiding principle going forward is to maintain the legacy of Jim Stohlquist, the brand’s founder—namely “making sure Stohlquist maintains that premium, best-in-class product.” Next on the agenda is making Stohlquist PFDs the top PFDs on the market.
“I’m excited for the challenge, but I’m very optimistic,” says Rogers. “Being surrounded by the excellent people at Sport Dimension and just seeing how well things operate—it’s empowering. I feel like we have a very, very good shot at achieving the goals we set forth.”
Feature image: Courtesy Sport Dimension/Stohlquist
In November of 2023, footage emerged of whitewater kayaker Aniol Serrasolses taking a plunge unlike anything we’d ever seen. Deep in the Arctic, Serrasolses descended a 65-foot waterfall cascading off a shelf of ice. Of course, in the back of our minds, we could calculate running the waterfall was just one element to pull off this unique expedition.
In the short Red Bull documentary Kayaking down the Ice Wall, we now have the full story behind Serrasolses’s glacial waterfall mission.
Behind the Mission to Run a 65-Foot Glacial Waterfall
To reach the waterfall created by melting ice, Serrasolses and his team traveled within the Arctic Circle to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. From the most northerly settlement on the globe, Longyearbyen, they boarded a research vessel and sailed for the Bråsvellbreen glacier.
Hoisting Serrasolses’s kayak atop Bråsvellbreen. Image: Red Bull / YouTube
When the team arrived, they were met with a towering, 100-mile-long frozen wall. Serrasolses and the crew watched in astonishment as calving ice fell into the ocean to produce tsunami-like waves. They cruised the perimeter of the escarpment, scouting for Serrasolses’s waterfall. The critical ingredients were volume and enough aeration in the pool to produce a soft landing for the five-story free fall.
The team found what Serrasolses called, “the most beautiful waterfall I had ever seen,” and had to figure their way, kayaks and all, up the ice wall. To do so, the research vessel pulled right along the edge, extending a series of ladders for expedition members to climb, and set up belays for the rest of the team.
Setting the ladder across one of more than 30 stream crossings. Image: Red Bull / YouTube
Where the expedition crew landed atop Bråsvellbreen was far from the waterfall Serrasolses would run. To reach it, they traveled across the glacier by foot. With a look more mountaineer than paddler, they employed crampons and ice axes. Serrasolses towed his boat while his support crew member Philip towed a ladder, which they utilized to cross some 30 glacial melt streams.
[ Find wild guided adventures in the Paddling Trip Guide ]
After seven hours of arctic trekking, the team arrived at the waterfall Serrasolses dubbed “Philip’s Ladder,” in gratitude for his team member’s effort. The rest, business as usual for Serrasolses.
Islands hold special appeal for paddlers. The best islands in the world for kayaking are alluring for their remoteness, great beaches, humbling headlands, unique wildlife and so much more. The mere sight of an island on a map—or, better yet, an island viewed across a watery expanse—leads us to dream and wonder what’s there.
Besides the tangible attractions, there’s simply something special about paddling a complete circle and the sense of fulfillment when you get back to where you started. This global list represents a mere fraction of the best islands for kayaking. It’s a place to get started, and a place to realize there’s never enough time to experience them all.
Located on the doorstep of Ontario’s beloved Killarney Provincial Park, Philip Edward Island is a classic Georgian Bay sea kayaking destination with a wide range of paddling options. Most trips begin from the Chikanishing River, where you will need an Ontario Parks permit to park your vehicle (backcountry camping permits are not required) at the launch.
It’s possible to explore the western edge of Philip Edward on a day trip, but watch the weather carefully to safely navigate stretches of open water. Better if you can set aside four to six days for a wilderness kayak trip to experience all of Philip Edward Island by paddling about 50 miles around its perimeter—an ideal Great Lakes sea kayaking trip for intermediate paddlers. Along the way you’ll experience countless glacier-polished offshore islands, reedy dead-end channels rich with fish, amphibians, birds and wildlife, amazing camping and more. Nearby Point Grondine Park, managed by local Indigenous people, offers a unique perspective on this ancient place.
2 Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, Ontario
An archipelago of more than 600 islands stretches from the Sibley Peninsula (aka the Sleeping Giant), east of Thunder Bay, to the Slate Islands in northern Lake Superior. Known as the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, this is the largest expanse of protected freshwater in the world. You couldn’t imagine a better destination for sea kayaking.
Touring options range from novice-friendly day trips in the sheltered islands off the quaint village of Rossport; to multiday trips among the Slate Islands, a group of islands located about seven miles offshore that were created by an ancient meteor impact and feature unique geology, great fishing and a population of woodland caribou; to a wilderness expedition for experienced kayakers involving a 75-mile journey from Sibley to Rossport that includes many open water crossings, rugged scenery and outstanding solitude. All-inclusive guided tours are available in all cases.
Photo: Thomas K/Pexels
3 Grand Island, Michigan
Located on Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Grand Island lives up to its name with great beaches, sea caves and backcountry campsites for weekend sea kayaking trips. Access the island from the community of Munising, located on highway M-28. It’s a short ferry ride to the island or a moderate crossing for experienced sea kayakers—just be sure to check the weather in advance. There are 21 designated campsites on the island, with reservations required between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. Local outfitters offer guided day and overnight kayak trips to Grand Island.
Photo: Lesly Derksen/Unsplash
4 Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Vancouver Island is an iconic sea kayaking destination on the Pacific coast of British Columbia. With over 750 miles of coastline, the island features a little (or more accurately, a lot) of everything, including endless beaches and rugged headlands on the exposed west side, and tide-washed channels on the east side, which is part of the Inside Passage. The island is accessible by ferry, serviced by BC Ferries, or by air.
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced paddler, it’s hard to find a better introduction to Vancouver Island than Clayoquot Sound. This large, island-choked bay on the west side of the island has great options for day trips to old-growth cedar forests and multiday expeditions to remote surf-washed beaches, headlands and hot springs. The community of Tofino is the gateway to Clayoquot Sound, and is home to several sea kayak outfitters.
Photo: Graham Hobster/Pixabay
5 Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick
Located at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick’s Grand Manan Island provides a unique perspective on one of the most dynamic marine environments in the world. An abundance of zooplankton forms the foundation of the food web, attracting four species of whales (including the exceedingly rare North Atlantic right whale), porpoises, dolphins, seals and more. Along the shoreline and above the water, bird-watchers can revel in adding many species of seabirds to their life list.
Of course, it’s all better from a kayak—and local tourism operators offer guided kayak trips at Grand Manan Island. The island is accessed by ferry, with plenty of options for accommodations and great food when you arrive.
Photo: Bradley Morris/Unsplash
6 Panhandle Islands, Alaska
A cluster of mountainous, fjord-carved islands in the Alaskan Panhandle makes up the north end of the Inside Passage. The towns of Juneau and Haines are gateways for experienced sea kayakers to encounter the misty passages, monstrous glaciers, majestic forests and incredible marine life of Chichagof and Admiralty islands. Farther south, the communities of Ketchikan and Sitka are starting points to explore Prince of Wales Island and Tongass National Forest. The Alaska kayak route options are practically endless, ranging from day trips to all-inclusive, guided adventures to epic wilderness expeditions.
7 Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island is located near the border of South Carolina and Georgia, part of a sandy delta formed at the mouths of the Bull River and Tybee Creek, close to the city of Savannah. Tybee is a renowned winter destination for sea kayakers looking to develop their skills in rough, yet warm, waters, including surf and tidal currents. Outfitters provide rentals and certified instruction, as well as guided trips, to help you learn more about this unique coastal environment.
Photo: E Thorsen/Pixabay
8 San Juan Islands, Washington
Washington’s San Juan Islands make up the southern end of the Inside Passage. The San Juans are noted for their temperate climate and moderate precipitation, offering a distinctive Mediterranean feel in the Pacific Northwest. Besides lush forests of unique arbutus trees, shell beaches and a laid-back vibe, the area is also home to seals and orca whales. Guided sea kayaking day trips and overnight adventures are available for novices and families.
Photo: Charles Jackson/Unsplash
9 Florida Keys
Dry Tortugas National Park is an amazing place to kayak at the tip of Florida. Part of the famous Florida Keys, about 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas offers camping options on Garden Key, great paddling opportunities, world-class snorkeling, a historic fort and some of the best beaches in America. This marine park consists of seven magical islands, surrounded by aquamarine waters, incredible coral reefs and colorful fish.
Carmen Island is located in the heart of Mexico’s Loreto Bay Marine Park, in the Sea of Cortez. Warm water, great beaches, and an incredible contrast of marine and desert ecosystems define a Baja sea kayaking trip. Paddlers may encounter plenty of wildlife in the sea and on land, including dolphins, blue whales, sea turtles and bighorn sheep. The shoreline is a stunning mix of beaches, sea caves and cliffs. Maximize your experience of this rich area—and simplify the logistics—by signing up for a guided trip.
Belize is a kayaker’s dream, with over 450 islands, known as “cays,” pinpricking the Great Barrier Reef in the Caribbean Sea. Glover’s Reef is one of Belize’s best places to kayak, providing amazing options for kayak tours to explore other cays and short paddles to access world-class snorkeling sites. With incredible clear water, fantastic marine life and friendly people (including outfitters and guides), paddlers would be hard-pressed to find a better destination than Belize for a winter trip.
Photo: Nick Rickert/Unsplash
12 Exuma Cays, Bahamas
The Exuma Cays are made up of 365 islands and cays of various sizes, from tiny sand spits to Great Exuma, a strip of limestone and sand measuring about 40 miles in length. With so many islands to explore, each with its own charm, there’s plenty of variety when it comes to Bahamas kayaking. You can travel with a guide or rent from a local outfitter to plan island kayak trips with a mix of camping and lodge accommodations. The Bahamas are an ideal destination if you’re looking to combine paddling with snorkeling and time on some of the best beaches in the world.
Photo: Håkon Grimsted/Unsplash
13 Svalbard, Norway
There aren’t many islands more remote than Svalbard, which translates from old Norse to “cold edge”—an apt name for a place of polar bears, pack ice and midnight sun. This Norwegian archipelago rises from the Atlantic north of 71 degrees latitude, featuring a rugged shoreline of barren rocks rising to jagged peaks. Svalbard is a bucket-list destination for paddlers who love to see the world from a kayak. You’ll definitely want to sign up for a guided trip to experience these polar waters, and kayaking features prominently on several adventure cruise options.
Feature photo: Lesly Derksen/Unsplash
14 Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand
Abel Tasman National Park is located at the north end of New Zealand’s South Island—a bucket-list destination for adventurers of all types. Abel Tasman features some of New Zealand’s best kayaking, with expansive beaches and an incredible coastline that’s serviced by water taxis to allow DIY paddlers the opportunity to customize their own kayak trips, ranging from hours to days on the water.
Plenty of options for guided kayak trips in Abel Tasman are available as well, making the area suitable for paddlers of all skill levels. Besides kayaking, the park is a biodiversity hot spot with a rich array of seabirds (including little blue penguins—the world’s smallest species of penguin) and lush, tropical flora.
The Australian state of Tasmania provides a stark contrast of rocky cliffs and fine-sand beaches, especially on the Tasman Peninsula. This is truly a life-list destination for sea kayakers, with amazing paddling and the opportunity to see migrating humpback and southern right whales throughout the austral summer. Various options are available for guided day trips and luxurious multiday adventures.
Photo: Max Antonov/Unsplash
16 Yasawa Islands, Fiji
Home to the famous Blue Lagoon, the Yasawa Islands capture just about everything you’d expect from Fiji: 20 paradisiacal islands with palm-clad beaches, cerulean waters, incredible fish and wildlife below and above the sea, and friendly communities that live the wonder of “island time.” Paddling options range from resort-based day trips for recreational kayakers to expeditions with island-to-island crossings, up to 10 days in length.
Kayak rental: there’s an app for that. | Feature photo: Kayakomat
KAYAKOMAT, a subsidiary of Swedish kayak maker Point 65, has already dispensed 75,000 kayak and SUP rentals from automated kiosks this year, making it the biggest paddling livery on the planet.
So if you were wondering if the robots might one day take over the paddling business, maybe they already have.
“Having started KAYAKOMAT in 2021, we currently have about 250 stations in operation in eight countries, growing at a pace of three to six stations per week,” says Richard Öhman, Point 65 CEO and founder of KAYAKOMAT. “We expect to pass 600 stations this time next year.” While most of those stations are in Europe, Öhman’s robotic minions established a beachhead in Canada last summer, and if all goes to plan they’ll land on U.S. shores next year.
Kayak rental: there’s an app for that. | Feature photo: Kayakomat
Automated kayak and SUP rentals are already common in some parts of the United States. Upstate Kayak Rentals has a dozen automated locations in New York. PADL has 50 SUP vending stations across Florida. Rent.Fun has 41 automated kayak rental stands throughout the United States. But while KAYAKOMAT is already the world’s biggest paddlesports rental company, its American competition has a distinct side-hustle vibe. Take Whenever Watersports, whose motto is “Making watersports more accessible, one kiosk at a time.” So far they’re up to two.
How the service works
Still, there’s no denying the appeal of self-serve paddling kiosks. City, state and provincial parks in particular love the idea of providing a new recreational amenity with little to no staff involvement. That’s a big part of the pitch to investors, too. None of the 12 KAYAKOMAT affiliates in Canada owns the prime waterfront land where their kiosks are located. Instead they partner with parks or private campgrounds. Most don’t even pay rent, says Tim Rosadiuk, a Point 65 dealer in Alberta who manages KAYAKOMAT’s Canadian operations.
KAYAKOMAT is unique in that it supplies everything—the kiosks, phone app and technical support, plus boats and gear—to affiliate partners. The company’s Canadian affiliates pay a one-time fee of $6,000 Canadian ($4,500 USD) and purchase the kiosk for $3,600 Canadian ($2,700 USD). Operating costs come to about $15,000 Canadian ($11,300 USD) per year, including access to the smart lock system and smartphone enabled booking app, a quiver of 12 Point 65 kayaks or SUPs, and insurance purchased from a third-party provider.
[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: View all Point 65 kayaks ]
There’s no line item for labor, of course. The robots handle that, with a little help from the human affiliate, who should plan to spend about four to eight hours a week wiping down kayaks, swabbing the kiosk and dealing with tech-challenged customers on the phone.
Rosadiuk purchases the boats wholesale from Point 65, then sells them to a third-party company that leases them to the affiliates. Affiliates get four brand-new boats from Point 65 each season (they pay shipping), and the used boats are sold into the local market with the proceeds split 50-50 between Rosadiuk and the operator. It’s kind of like credit default swaps, in the sense that nobody needs to understand exactly how it works as long as they’re all making money. And so far, they are. Rosadiuk says affiliates can expect to gross $20,000 to $40,000 Canadian ($15,000–$30,000 USD) per year.
Öhman says U.S. affiliates should expect a similar arrangement, though likely without a leasing company in the middle: An entrance fee of $5,000, monthly fees of $250 for software and $300 for hardware including boats, gear and smart locks, and insurance sold separately.
Start with safety, says Teresa Patterson, a kayak guide and livery manager in Fort Worth, Texas. “When we get our insurance, we have to be rescue trained. We have to verify we have the right number and size of life vests, and we have to verify we’re not going to put anybody on the water in questionable conditions,” she says. “All that goes out the window with these kiosks.”
Labor savings and free rent may give automated kiosks a big financial edge, Patterson says, but the humans still have one ace up their sleeves. “They absolutely can undercut us, but we make up for that in service. We’re going to make sure you feel protected and safe and completely catered to.”
That’s one thing the machines can’t do. Yet.
This article was first published in the 2024 issue of Paddling Business. Inside you’ll find the year’s hottest gear for canoeing, kayaking, whitewater and paddleboarding. Plus: how to beat the big box, forty years in the Four Corners, building the Paddlesports Trade Coalition and more. READ IT NOW »
Kayak rental: there’s an app for that. | Feature photo: Kayakomat
River trips bring home harrowing tales of whitewater sure, but let’s be honest, the most memorable part of every river trip is camp. The time spent with friends on sandy beaches, surrounded by canyon walls, listening to the white noise of churning water. And nothing quite says a night around the camp circle like the comfort of being tucked under a puffy.
Storied rafting outfitter OARS and puffy blanket brand Rumpl caught on to the fact and launched a new brand partnership, with Rumpl as the exclusive blanket sponsor of OARS and OARS events starting this river season.
Feature Image: Courtesy OARS
Rumpl and OARS launch partnership
“The river has always provided a special sense of sanctuary, adventure and community for myself, so I’m personally excited to be working with a company as respected and experienced as OARS to amplify the benefits of Rumpl gear in those unique settings,” shared Josh Weichhand, Rumpl’s vice president of global brand marketing, in a recent press release.
The Rumpl brand was born out of the van life. They are most well known for their original, stuffable, puffy blanket, but they also produce quick-drying, sand-repelling towels made to go anywhere and puffy ponchos, among other cozy gear.
OARS, founded in 1969, offers 75 itineraries worldwide including classic multi-day trips such as the Grand Canyon, Middle Fork of the Salmon and Rogue. Now, right alongside a paddle and helmet, guests, guides and support staff will have their pick of Rumpl gear as creature comforts.
[ Find your next rafting journey in the Paddling Trip Guide ]
“Since the beginning, OARS has been proud of the company we keep, from our world-class guides to the people behind the scenes making each trip happen,” Steve Markle, vice president of sales and marketing for OARS, also shared in the press release. “We’re excited to welcome Rumpl into the fold—and provide our guests and crew with some cozy blankets to stay warm and comfortable in the wild places we love most.”
With the partnership, count on the OARS camp to be the life of the river this season and puffy ponchos trending among guide wardrobes.
This article was first published in the Spring 2024 issue of Paddling Magazine. 
This article was first published in the 2024 issue of Paddling Business. Inside you’ll find the year’s hottest gear for canoeing, kayaking, whitewater and paddleboarding. Plus: how to beat the big box, forty years in the Four Corners, building the Paddlesports Trade Coalition and more. 
