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.
Oceanside, CA – May 22, 2024 – Hobie, the leader in innovative watercraft and adventure products, is proud to announce the hiring of Joel McBride as Vice President of Sales and James McBeath as Director of Marketing. With over 70 combined years of experience in adventure sports, these new hires bring a wealth of industry knowledge and a dynamic vision to Hobie’s leadership team. Joel and James will collaborate with both long-standing and new staff to elevate Hobie’s sales and marketing strategies to unprecedented heights.
Hobie Reshaping the Path Forward
The hiring of Joel and James mark the start of a new era for Hobie, one that sees the deepening connection of a legendary outdoor brand to today’s outdoor market place. These changes start with evolving sales programs and dynamic, modern marketing tactics.
Marty Pathak, President of Hobie, expressed his enthusiasm for the new hires: “We’re thrilled to welcome Joel and James to the Hobie family. Their combined experience and innovative thinking will be instrumental in driving our sales and marketing efforts to new levels. They bring a fresh perspective that aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver the best adventure products to our customers.”
About Joel McBride
Joel McBride is a paddle sports veteran with over 35 years of experience. Joel started at Wave Sport, a leading whitewater manufacturer, and helped it become a market leader. He then managed sales for all brands at Confluence, making him one of the top sales professionals in the industry. At Confluence, he played a key role in popularizing the Tarpon series of kayaks. Joel then moved to Pelican International, where his work with national accounts propelled the company to market dominance. Since joining Hobie two years ago, Joel has focused on enhancing Hobie’s presence in the fishing and recreational markets.
Joel McBride commented on his new role: “I’m excited for the changes being made at Hobie. Our goal is to strengthen our organization to provide increased dealer support and connect with our consumers as well. Hobie struggled with the post-pandemic slow down and, as a leading manufacturer, we have a long hill to climb. We are going to rebuild our sales force and our marketing program to bring Hobie back to the forefront of the outdoor markets. I look forward to working with our team to achieve these ambitious goals. “
About James McBeath
James McBeath brings over 35 years of experience in outdoor sports marketing. His career began with leading marketing agencies and professional sports teams like The Montreal Canadiens, The Carolina Hurricanes, and USA Hockey in the late 90s. Transitioning to paddle sports, James outdoor business adventures began with marketing for Liquid Skills Kayak School, Heliconia Press, and, in 2003, led the World Kayak initiative. In 2007 James became Jackson Kayak’s first Marketing Director. In that role he drove the brand to dominance in the whitewater market and spearheaded its growth into kayak fishing. James’ expertise spans customer support, brand management, product development, and more, making him a well-rounded lead for Hobie’s marketing team.
James McBeath shared his vision for Hobie’s marketing direction: “Joining Hobie is a tremendous opportunity. My focus will be on increasing brand awareness and engaging the marketplace with modern, consumer-reaching tactics. We have a strong foundation to build on, and I am eager to bring Hobie’s story to a wider audience.”
Joel and James will prioritize building out the sales force and dealer support systems, strengthening Hobie’s brands, increasing brand awareness, and engaging the marketplace with modern consumer-reaching tactics.
About Hobie
Since 1950, Hobie has been in the business of shaping a unique lifestyle based around fun, water, and quality products. From their headquarters in Oceanside, California, Hobie designs and manufactures an impressive collection of innovative watercraft that includes surfboards, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, sailboats, and accessories, all aimed at making water adventures accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Aqua Bound’s latest innovation is the Aerial paddle lineup, featuring Lam-Lok technology. This new development uses aramid thread to mechanically bond the paddle’s laminated blade layers, significantly boosting resistance to impact, abrasion and delamination, extending the paddle’s lifespan.
The Aerial lineup was released in the fall of 2023, and the Paddling Magazine team recently caught up with Brian Boyea, VP of Sales at Aqua Bound and Bending Branches, to learn more about the new technology.
“The coolest thing about this is the aramid thread we’re using to stitch the blades together,” said Boyea. While a typical composite paddle is held together by layers of fiberglass or carbon and bonded with resin, Lam-Lok adds something new.
“What we’ve done here is before that bonding process, we’re stitching this aramid thread into the edge of the blade,” says Boyea. “That stitching is going to do a couple of things for us. It’s going to help impact resistance and it’s going to give us quite a bit of strength and durability on that edge. It’s also going to prevent delamination.”
Durability has been the focus in developing these paddles. Aqua Bound consulted kayakers of all skill levels to identify common issues with current paddles, such as wear from frequent contact with rough surfaces.
Initially hand-stitched in prototyping, the Lam-Lok method was field-tested and found to be effective, with testers reporting exceptional durability of the prototypes even with extensive use. A specialized industrial sewing machine in now used for production.
In Aqua Bound’s testing, a typical composite blade ripped apart at 17 pounds of force. “Our final layup, where we have multiple layers of thread, ripped apart at 495 pounds of force,” adds Boyea.
The aramid thread is applied to dry fiberglass or carbon materials before resin application. The blade edges are stitched back and forth with more than 33 feet of aramid thread per paddle. According to a press release from Aqua Bound, in-house tests revealed the Aerial’s Lam-Lok technology provided five to 10 times better resistance to delamination and abrasion compared to other paddles on the market, including the brand’s own Whiskey and Tango models.
Everybody swims—it’s part of the sport, and whitewater kayaking is more of a team activity than we may credit it for. You want to strive to be a strong teammate on the river and know others have your back too. Among essential rescue techniques is the ability to wrangle a friend’s boat, and here to help is Simon Coward, owner of AQ Outdoors (AQ Outdoors is a paddling shop and school with locations in Calgary and Edmonton). The following is a transcript of Coward’s kayak rescue method of choice.
Timing your rescue to meet the kayak at the bottom of a rapid. | Image: AQ Outdoors
How to perform an effective kayak rescue in whitewater
Simon here from AQ Outdoors, just checking in with a little tutorial on some best practices and the easiest ways to rescue kayaks. Over the last 20-odd years of teaching and such I’ve made lots of mistakes, I’ve learned from others, and I’ve seen others make mistakes, and some do really great rescues.
Basics of rescuing a kayak
This is very much about how to keep it as simple as possible. We’re going to start in flatwater how we might address this. My personal preference is to not clip the boat and to get the boat upright as soon as possible. If I get the boat upright and it has float bags in it, it’s much easier to manipulate—whether you’re clipping it, pushing it or bumping it. Ideally we want the boat upright and empty. It’s very easy to rescue at that point but you don’t always get that good of a bounce, well we usually don’t because people are usually upside down.
[ Paddling Trip Guide: View classes at AQ Outdoors ]
After someone swims, the boat is going to be upside down and have a bit of water in it, right, so with this, the most common way I see people try and right the boat is essentially to lean across, grab the gunnel on the other side, push down with this hand and right the kayak. And that works, however, once you get into moving water and it’s a bit more dynamic, that becomes a lot harder. Especially with larger boats and smaller people, it becomes very difficult.
Simon Coward’s chosen method of righting a kayak. | Feature image: AQ Outdoors
A straightforward rescue technique
My preferred way of righting the boat if it is upside down, is just essentially to get alongside it, grab the inside gunnel, and slowly start to right it. Then, I lean away and push away. This way I actually have contact with my paddle the whole time—I don’t have to let go of it. And, it’s very quick and very easy to get the boat back upright again. Now we have a kayak, presuming there are float bags in the back, that’s very easy to push and manipulate and move around. It’s not always going to cooperate, sometimes it’s going to flip back over again.
So, super simple: get alongside it, grab, lean away, push the gunnel away, the boat’s right again and you’re off to the races.
A final push to right a fellow paddler’s kayak. | Image: AQ Outdoors
Rescuing a kayak in whitewater
Okay so I’m presuming I’m running safety at the bottom of this little drop. We’ve got our swimmer out, and this boat’s coming down. The first thing to think about is timing. When am I going to go out and get myself to the boat? I pop out [of the eddy] and I get alongside it. Now I’m going to grab the inside of the kayak and then push. I can spin it [the direction I want it to go] then I push the boat [toward shore]. It’s going to spin. It almost flipped there but there’s not that much water in it so it stayed upright.
I haven’t had to clip the boat at all. So if there were any hazards I’m not at risk of flipping over and getting hung up. Basically I’ve got the boat to shore very quickly, very simply. Now I can get out, and I can empty the water out off the kayak and we can get the paddler back going again.
That’s it, a quick and simple way to rescue a whitewater kayak that doesn’t have a rider anymore. Obviously, it’s ideal that there are float bags in the back, but this method doesn’t require you to let go of your paddle. It doesn’t require you to clip onto the boat. It’s a quick flip push get it into the eddy and you’re off to the races.
AQ Outdoors offers retail and kayak instruction in Calgary and Edmonton. Learn more about their school and stores at AQOutdoors.com.
Simon Coward’s chosen method of righting a kayak. | Feature image: AQ Outdoors
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. 
About Joel McBride
About James McBeath
