River Heroes: 6 Innovators Making Paddling More Accessible To All

By

Paddling Magazine Staff, Bridget Reed Morawski

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November 7, 2022

From entrepreneurs and explorers to game changers and artists, the wide world of paddlesports is enriched by those who see a need and step up to fill it. Whether welcoming underserved communities, mentoring new paddlers or protecting waterways at risk, here’s who (and what) is changing paddling for the better this year.

a group of ex-gang members pose in paddling gear after taking part in a beginners paddling program

River Heroes: 5 Mentors Helping Beginners Broaden Their Horizons

6 innovators making paddling more accessible to all

1 Dave Calver

Society for Inclusion and Participation

Transformative river trips for kids and adults with spinal cord injuries

Dave Calver poses beside his custom pickup truck and kayaks — Dave Calver and his SIP adventure mobile. | Photo: Aren Sven Rane

Occupational therapist Dave Calver has dedicated his career to working in wheelchair development in less-resourced countries. He’s a wheelchair user himself and a whitewater paddler for 35 years. In 2020, Calver founded SiP—the Society for Inclusion and Participation—which offers life-changing river adventures to young people, ages 14 to 40, with spinal cord injuries and related disabilities.

“Rivers have an incredible ability to heal,” said Calver.

SiP’s five-day whitewater program follows a standard skills progression on water but is paired with evening rehabilitative health classes on topics including ulcer prevention and sexuality after injury. The five days of on- and off-water learning help participants develop the skills they need to live healthier, independent lives and smash their own preconceived limitations.

“Kayaking is ideal because of the ability of the river to cleanse people, to face their fears, and to understand the scariest outcome they conjured up never came to be,” said Calver. “The ability to move beyond that on the river sets them up for the most soul-searching discoveries.”

Calver added that the river can be an equalizing environment for people with spinal cord injuries: “For people with good upper body mobility and strength, you’d never know once they’re in a kayak—they don’t look any different in the eddy.”

Kayaking Saved My Life After A Spinal Cord Injury

SiP is running youth and adult programs on Ontario’s Madawaska River this summer and at North Carolina’s Nantahala Outdoor Center in October. Calver will take the program to Mexico and Central America in the winter. His vision is to have programs running across Canada and United States each summer, with parallel programs running all year internationally.

“At the end of this program, our participants will have a new depth of knowledge about their disability and the limits they truly have versus the ones society has put on them,” said Calver.

2 Dale Sanders

greybeardadventurer.com

Octogenarian breaking records and stereotypes for aging adventurers

Forget the “I’m too old for that” excuse. On June 14, 87-year-old Dale “Greybeard” Sanders set out to reclaim his Guinness World Record as the oldest person to paddle the 2,552-mile Mississippi River from source to sea. Sanders first paddled into the record books when he set an age record on the same route in 2015, canoeing it in 80 days at the age of 80.

Dale Sanders and paddling friends pose in front of a waymarker sign — Matt Briggs, his dog Meadow, Dale Sanders and Dan Frost stand at the Mississippi River headwaters on June 14, 2022, at Itasca State Park. | Photo: Courtesy Dale Sanders

From its source at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, all the way to the saltwater in the Gulf of Mexico, Sanders will be paddling the Mississippi River in a Northwind Solo from Northstar Canoes. He’s named it Perseverance. He hopes to finish the journey in 87 days, arriving at the ocean on September 8, 2022. He’ll need to average about 30 miles a day to snag the record back from its current holder, Stan Stark, who nabbed the title after making the journey last year at the age of 81.

“Records are made to be broken, and I do everything in my power to support challengers,” said Sanders. Following his 2015 Mississippi journey, Sanders again entered the record books in 2017, setting an age record at 82 on the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail.

two older canoeists seek out Blue Zones by paddling through turquoise waters

5 Ways Canoeing Can Help You Live Longer

All his life, Sanders has had a competitive spirit. He set his first world record in the late ‘50s for holding his breath underwater for six minutes and four seconds. Then, in the mid-’60s, he was a U.S. national underwater spear fisherman champion.

While Sanders uses adventure to keep himself in good shape, it’s the inspiration he provides for others keeping him going. He spoke with Paddling Magazine from the riverside in Minnesota, having just traversed wind-whipped Lake Pepin. “I’m a role model for not only the old but for all ages. It’s overwhelming to have the honor and opportunity,” he said.

Sanders shared the story of a woman from Montana who reached out to tell him she’d been following his adventures for years. “At one point, she was totally paralyzed, and her doctor had told her she’d never walk again. She said she saw me and my adventures, and because of my determination later in life, she was inspired,” said Sanders. “Today, she’s not only walking, she’s thriving. She hikes 100-mile trips. People are inspired by what I’m doing, but they inspire me.”

Chicas Al Agua women paddlers group poses in their gear — The January 2022 cohort of Chicas Al Agua. | Photo: Liz McGregor/BoonDocs

3 Chicas Al Agua

Chicas Al Agua is a by-women, for-local-girls kayaking school in Futaleufú, Chile. Led by the Futaleufú Riverkeeper Foundation, this initiative encourages participants, between the ages of 13 and 17, to practice kayaking and develop leadership skills, teamwork and confidence, and promote the conservation of Chile’s wild rivers.

Himalayan Adventure Girls pose in paddling gear with their boats in a pickup truck — The Himalayan Adventure Girls’ pickup vehicle after a day on the river. | Photo: Bjarne Salen

4 Himalayan Adventure Girls

himalayangirls.com

First all-female rafting company in Nepal

“We want to inspire young girls to follow their dreams and become independent, love and care for nature, and empower young girls in the adventure sector.” This is the mantra of Himalayan Adventure Girls, Nepal’s first female-run rafting and trekking company. What started as a female-focused kayak club turned into a business in 2018. The adventure travel company seeks not just to provide tourists with a good time, but to challenge stereotypes in their own communities where women have not traditionally participated in adventure sports. “We want to broaden the horizon for women and have them do things and go places society forbids us,” they added.

5 Ash Manning

Whitewater rafting guide, body inclusivity activist

“The dangers of not creating gear that fits larger bodies is you have people who are going to go out there anyways. They don’t have appropriate flotation, and they don’t have the gear to keep themselves warm, like drysuits,” said Ash Manning, 28, a 10-year whitewater rafting guide from Cleveland, Georgia. Manning speaks on the lack of appropriately sized gear for plus-size adventurers in the short film, All Bodies.

“I hope there’s a plus-size little kid who sees the film and can see themselves going on big adventures. I hope there are people who get an extra push and inspiration to set foot in the outdoors. The outdoors are for everybody. Just because you’re plus size doesn’t mean you’re not capable of being strong and powerful,” said Manning.

6 Craftsman John Su

Team River Runner

Team River Runner champion recycling past-their-prime kayaks for charity

John Su would like to say he’s just another volunteer for Team River Runner, a national nonprofit organizing adaptive paddling programs for veterans. But the long-time Maryland resident is one of the organization’s longest-serving volunteers and is a frequent presence at its activities in the Washington, D.C., area.

He often joins volunteers to train veterans to use adapted kayaks, molding them over time into paddlers who can join group trips to tackle class III, IV and V waterways.

Su may be best known for cutting up cracked kayaks and converting them into hand paddles, the entire proceeds from which support the program. Su connects with an informal network of paddlers from around the country to transport busted boats to his home in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Once a new boat arrives, it joins the assembly line of worn kayaks spread throughout his garage and yard.

John Su recycles old kayaks for Team River Runner — John Su is a solid contender for Team River Runner’s MVP. | Photo: Bridget Reed Morawski

“I think I have about 10 out in my backyard now, word is getting out,” he said in an interview with Paddling Magazine. As more people learn about his work, he said offers to collect kayaks or carve them up have grown. Numerous worn kayak drop-off sites have even emerged across the U.S. Southeast, somewhat formalizing the shipping system.

Rob Thompson is making the world’s first marine plastic recycled kayaks

In the past roughly four years, the 50-year-old high school teacher has raised enough money to provide Team River Runner program participants with 115 hard-shell kayaks, one inflatable kayak and six enclosed trailers—almost three dozen of which were acquired in the last year alone.

Between the time spent forging hand paddles and a tendon issue he suspects is related to the constant carving, Su said he hasn’t been out on the water as much as he would like. Is there any end in sight to his work?

“It doesn’t look like it,” Su chuckled.

—Bridget Reed Morawski

Cover of Paddling Magazine Issue 67 This article was first published in the Summer 2022 issue of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.

“I can’t tell you how many times people make snap judgments about me, and I have turned around and proven them wrong,” said Ash Manning. | Feature photo: Heather Rogers

Why Paddling Is Still The Perfect Slow-Speed Travel

By

Scott MacGregor

-

November 5, 2022

“High-speed rail may be the future. But in a world whose future may depend on us all slowing down, slow-speed rail can be our future, too, connecting us with each other and with the land in a way no other mode of travel can do,” Vincent Gragnani wrote on his blog, Slow-Speed Rail.

No other way? Seriously?

Slow Adventuring

Paddling is still the perfect slow-speed travel

Vincent Gragnani seems like a smart guy, a master’s student at City University of New York, where his research is on slow-speed train travel through the lens of environmental psychology. Maybe he’s just spent too much time on trains and not enough time in canoes, kayaks, rafts or on paddleboards. In a recent interview on CBC Radio, Gragnani told the host he rode the rails 9,100 miles during the pandemic, and probably 25,000 miles on Amtrack and Via Rail since he began his postgrad research.

One of Gragnani’s favorite train rides is through the Colorado Rockies, the stretch of rails between Denver and Glenwood Springs served by Amtrak’s California Zephyr running between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area.

“There are some stretches where you go through canyons you can only see by train or river. There are no roads and also no Wi-Fi and no phone service. There is no way to connect with the outside world. You’re sort of in that moment.”

I know you’re thinking what I’m thinking.

Slower and better than Gragnani’s slow-speed rail obsession is floating the river at the bottom of the canyon in a raft. So is tracing a coastline in touring kayaks. Canoeing barren land rivers. Sneaking through mangrove tunnels on paddleboards. Bouncing down mountain streams in packrafts. And boofing 15-foot falls on any river, anywhere. I liked trains as much as any kid and even jumped a freight train once, but I grew up to like paddling more.

a group of whitewater rafters go over some rapids on a paddling dream trip

Dream Trip: How To Turn Your Paddling Fantasies Into Reality

“If I were to pitch train travel to people, I would have to start with the fact that in North America, it is slow,” says Gragnani. “It is inefficient and you have to be prepared for delays. So it’s not for everyone.”

In this issue, our annual Paddling Trip Guide travel edition, you’ll find 131 inefficient ways of connecting with each other and with the land. And when things don’t go exactly as planned… well that’s when real stories begin. These are the stories we end up telling most often. We tell our stories to strangers when we’re on planes and trains. We can tell by the looks on their faces, our adventures are not for everyone. In fact, that’s kind of the point.

He may not know it, but paddling trips fit Gragnani’s definition of slow travel more than any fancy dining car: “Slow travel can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. To some, it could mean visiting a destination and spending a lot of time there rather than moving from place to place. And for some people, it could mean utilizing slow transportation.”

Even when we paddle quickly, we travel slowly.

Like in 1995 when Frank Wolf was the first to paddle across Canada in a single season. It still took him and his tandem canoe partner 171 days. You can travel across the country from Halifax to Vancouver by train non-stop in six days. The Via Rail brochure says you will fall asleep in one time zone and wake up in a completely different part of the country.

When Frank Wolf went to sleep each night on this summer’s 1,300-kilometer canoe trip through the Yukon and Northwest Territories, he woke up in his tent right where he left off the night before.

That’s real slow speed travel. And we love it.

a long distance expedition kayaker paddles the cloudy Kyuquot Crossing in front of a rainbow

The Love And Madness Of Long-Distance Expeditions

Scott MacGregor is the founder and publisher of Paddling Magazine.

Cover of Paddling Magazine Issue 67 This article was first published in the Summer 2022 issue of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.

No phone, no pool, no pets / I ain’t got no cigarettes. | Feature photo: Goh Iromoto/Ontario Tourism

The Chasm-Lite: The Lightest, Most Packable Paddleboard Ever

By

Kokopelli Press Release

-

November 3, 2022

Kokopelli is an outdoor adventure brand that elevates experiences by making it easier to venture further. Dedicated to cultivating a community that supports an appreciation of the outdoors, Kokopelli has designed Chasm-Lite: the lightest and most packable standup paddleboard (SUP) ever. Take it along no matter what kind of water you are about to explore, whether it is an alpine lake or a gushing river in the backcountry.

Packing down to the size of a sleeping bag, at just 18″ tall when fully packed and weighing only 12.9-lbs., the Chasm-Lite fits into almost any nook and cranny you can think of:

Into a backpack,
Beneath your back seat,
In a small closet,
In a hand suitcase…

[ Find packrafts in the Paddling Magazine Buyer’s Guide ]

The Chasm-Lite comes with everything you need to quickly get onto the water:

10-ft. inflatable SUP,
Collapsible, 4-piece carbon fiber paddle,
Nano Barrel Pump,
9-inch fin,
Waterproof Dry-bag Backpack,
Emergency repair kit.

A key objective of the Chasm-Lite is to offer ultimate portability, which is why Kokopelli designed the lightest and most packable SUP in the industry, which reduces storage space and shrinks down to a size that is ideal for taking on the road. Meanwhile, Kokopelli put a great deal of focus on The Chasm’s safety and security.

Thus, no coincidence, Gear Junkie awarded Chasm-Lite Best in Show at the 2022 Outdoor Retailer Show.

Kokopelli Chasm-Lite rolled up — Image: Kokopelli

Additional info about The Chasm-Lite

The Chasm-lite SUP was named after Chasm Lake which sits at the base of Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. Longs Peak is visible from Kokopelli’s headquarters in Longmont, Colorado, and was the inspiration behind creating an ultra-lightweight packable standup paddleboard that could be carried into serene remote alpine lakes.

About Company

Kokopelli was established under the solitary tenet of creativity. This meant that the company’s initial efforts were entirely directed upon improving its packrafts. The emphasis on developing the sport through three fundamental pillars—performance, education, and community—has evolved as they have grown. Performance entails the ongoing development of high-end packrafts built of cutting-edge materials, with design and user experience being their main priorities. Through appropriate instruction and safety training, they aim to responsibly develop the sport through both their own efforts and those of their affiliated partners.

Kokopelli is highly aware of the particular nature of packrafting as a sport and the special connection that each packrafter in the area has with one another as a result of their shared enthusiasm for this magnificent activity.

Image: Kokopelli

Availability

“The Chasm-Lite” is currently in its crowdfunding stage and is available for backers on Kickstarter with a starting price of $749.

‘Her Odyssey’ Completes 7-Year Trek Along The Length Of The Americas

By

PRESS RELEASE Bethany Hughes

-

November 3, 2022

Tuktoyaktuk, Canada, August 24, 2022: The two-woman multi-sport team of Bethany ‘Fidgit’ Hughes and Lauren ‘Neon’ Reed, known collectively as Her Odyssey, has completed a human-powered expedition traveling the length of the Americas, from the tip of South America to the Arctic Ocean. Along the way, they engaged local populations in storytelling, learning how humans and animals are adapting to a changing planet.

On August 24, 2022, Hughes and Reed paddled into Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada, completing the Her Odyssey expedition that embarked in 2015 from Ushuaia, Argentina. Her Odyssey created a unique route connecting modern long distance trails such as the Great Divide Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Greater Patagonian Trail with ancient routes such as the Qhapaq Ñan across the Andes and First Nations’ river routes across North America. Hughes and Reed crossed 14 countries in multiple legs over the course of six years and nine months, traversing over 18,221 miles, ranging in elevation from below sea level to 18,000 feet.

Their modalities included: thru-hiking, bikepacking, sea kayaking, river rafting and canoeing. During their trek, they joined the short list of people who have walked the length of the Andes and became one of few women-only teams to complete an unsupported bikepacking route across Mexico and Central America. Notwithstanding the ultra-endurance sport roots of the undertaking, the focus on sharing stories and connecting with typically unheard voices highlighted the value of slow travel.

Central to Her Odyssey’s goal in embarking on this journey was a mission to redefine how the outdoor sport and long-distance community engage with local peoples and the landscape. Thus, they cultivated an approach that prioritized respect and connection with the land’s inhabitants over an accomplishment-driven mindset. In many cases, this meant re-thinking and re-developing their route, allowing for more meaningful interactions and experiences.

Mile 15,000 – Mt. Assiniboine, Alberta, Canada 2021

Stories and musings shared on the Her Odyssey blog and social media frequently explored the intersection of the climate crisis, women’s empowerment, respect for indigenous voices, and wilderness advocacy.

Hughes stated, “I want what we’ve done to build on the heritage of women walkers and to help shift the narrative of exploration from focusing on the lone conquerer toward more collective appreciation and acknowledgment of locals. I want to promote humility and flexibility as being just as much keys to success as determination and perseverance.”

Mile 18,220 Completion – Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada

Bethany Hughes has over 20,000 miles under her feet and more than 20 years of writing, recording and sharing human-powered adventures with followers across the globe. She grew up as a third culture kid, climbing in the Andes of South America and the jungles of the tropics. While earning her BA in institutions & policy in the honors Oxbridge program at William Jewell College, she worked summers as a Philmont Ranger for the Boy Scouts of America. Preparing for her first thru-hike, the Pacific Crest Trail, she worked for Alaska Icefield Expeditions dog sled teams in Tongass National Forest along Alaska’s Inside Passage. For the past 12 year she has focused on planning and pursuing the Her Odyssey Expedition and mission. She is currently writing a memoir series about Her Odyssey.

Trails hiked:

2021 Great Divide Trail, Canada
2019 Continental Divide Trail, USA
2018 Qhapaq Ñan, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador
2016 Greater Patagonian Trail
2014 Tamang Heritage Trail, Nepal
2012 Colorado Trail
2010 Pacific Crest Trail, USA
2008 West Highland Way, Scotland
2007 Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Wales

Lauren Reed discovered her joy of the outdoors at a young age, exploring the neighborhood and nearby woodlands with siblings and friends. While attending Penn State University she spent weekends leading climbing, canoeing and hiking trips. She is a Triple Crown thru-hiker, having walked the three primary long distance trails across the U.S. In her time away from longer trails, she works as a wilderness therapy guide and continues finding enrichment outdoors—learning, writing, sharing, photographing and exploring along the way.

Trails hiked:

2021 Great Divide Trail, Canada
2019 Western Wildland Bikepacking Route, USA
2018 Qhapaq Ñan, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador
2016 Greater Patagonian Trail
2013 Continental Divide Trail
2012 Colorado Trail
2010 Pacific Crest Trail
2008 Appalachian Trail

Watch The 2022 Green Race Live (Video)

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

-

November 3, 2022

The Green Race in North Carolina has proven one of the most exciting whitewater races for nearly three decades. The 27th chapter of the self-proclaimed, “greatest show in all of sports” promises to be as entertaining as ever. Fortunately, you can watch all the fast lines and carnage from the comfort of your home by streaming the Green Race live.

[ Read: Kayak Review — Pyranha 12R Whitewater Longboat ]

For 24 iterations watching the Green Race meant paddling the class IV-V+ section of river or hiking the 800-foot descent on the two-mile Pulliam Creek Trail. But this changed in 2020 when organizers turned their gaze on the future of the race toward the spectating experience. That year, the Green Race was broadcast live for the first time. That meant the athletic event in a remote gorge was brought to viewers around the globe. A new benchmark for the race had been set.

[ Read: 5 Best Green Race Moments Of 2021 ]

For 2022, the Green Race marks its third year as a pay-per-view sporting spectacle — complete with drones and commentary. So fire up the hors d’oeuvres, grab some cold beverages and invite your paddling buddies over because the first racer is set to start at noon ET on November 5.

You can catch all the action at greenrace.us.

10 Unbreakable Rules Of Inflatable Paddleboard Maintenance

By

Virginia Marshall

-

November 3, 2022

Inflatable paddleboards are built tough to withstand many seasons of on-the-water adventures. But even the best high-end boards will benefit from an easy, common-sense maintenance routine.

Best Inflatable Paddleboards For 2026

Prolong the life of your inflatable board by keeping it clean, protecting it from sun and moisture damage, and repairing common problems. Follow these 10 commandments of inflatable paddleboard maintenance and your board will stay looking and riding great for years to come.

10 tips to maintain your inflatable paddleboard

1 Rinse and repeat

Rinse with fresh water after every use. This will extend the longevity of your board by preventing a build-up of abrasive dirt, salt and grime. Most of the time, a quick spray down with a garden hose is all that’s required. Lay the board flat on the ground or a board stand, rinse the bottom first, and then flip it over and spray down the deck. An inflated board is easier to clean but not necessary.

two inflatable paddleboards sit on a sandy beach — Don’t forget to rinse off your inflatable SUP after each use—especially in saltwater. | Photo: Marco Ottaviano/Pexels

Be sure to thoroughly rinse the fin boxes, attachment points, handles and deck pad. Allow the board to air-dry in the shade, or use a soft towel to wipe it down.

2 Stay spotless

Periodically cleaning your board with a solution of mild soapy water is the best way to prevent stains and remove stubborn dirt, river scum and travel grime. Dishwashing soap and warm water or a gentle cleaning solution like Simple Green work great without being too harsh on your board. You can use a soft-bristled scrubbing brush to remove residue from the deck pad and other surfaces, avoiding graphics that can be damaged from vigorous cleaning. After sudsing up, rinse thoroughly with fresh water.

For stubborn marks, try a baking soda solution, magic eraser or non-abrasive PVC cleaning product such as mold remover. However, these should only be used on the PVC, not the deck pad or graphics.

3 Avoid a mold mine

Moisture inside your board can cause mildew and premature wear. Proper storage in a cool and dry place is key to avoiding mildew damage and bacterial growth. If you notice moisture inside your board, you can dry it out by locking the valve in the open position and blowing air into the board using a pump or vacuum exhaust.

Mildew on the outside of the board—for example, on a board that has been rolled or folded for storage—can be cleaned with a mold remover intended for use on PVC materials.

4 Enjoy sodium-free living

How To Choose Between An Inflatable And Hard Paddleboard

Inflatable paddleboards are designed for use in saltwater, however, proper cleaning and maintenance are essential for those using their board on the sea. Because saltwater is so corrosive, it’s critical to rinse your board and paddling equipment with fresh water after every use. Don’t forget to thoroughly rinse your fins, leash, paddle and PFD as well.

5 Maintain inflation valves

Keeping your inflatable board’s valves clean is key to avoiding air leaks. If the threads or sealing surfaces become dirty, the valve may not close fully. Listen and feel for air escaping at the valve if your board seems to lose pressure after inflation. Simply pressing briefly on the valve stem when the board is fully inflated will create a blast of air that is enough to dislodge any debris. If this doesn’t fix the problem, lock the valve in the open position and use a cotton swab moistened with 303 Protectant to clean inside the valve area and around the sealing surfaces.

A loose valve can also create a slow leak. Check your board’s repair kit for a valve wrench to tighten the valve, or remove it for a more thorough cleaning or replacement.

three people at a campsite prepare their inflatable paddleboards — Maintain your valves for easy inflation and less leaks. | Photo: Courtesy Maddle

A final word on inflation: if you’re using an electric pump to fill your board, most manufacturers recommend using a hand pump to top off the last 10 to 20 percent. This avoids over-inflation, the most common cause of inflatable board damage. Never use an air compressor to blow up your board. It is too much, too fast, and can also introduce contaminants into your valves and board and void your warranty.

6 Care for fins

The removable fin or fins at the back of your board help it track straight and perform its best. They’re also the most fragile part of your inflatable paddleboard. Always set your board down with the fins facing the sky, and never put anything heavy on the board if it is resting on its fin. If you do damage or break your fin, don’t panic. Most major brands use a universal fin box that will accept a wide range of replacement SUP or longboard fins.

7 Always wear sunscreen

Inflatable paddleboards are constructed with UV-treated materials designed to withstand the sun’s powerful rays. However, even these materials will break down with prolonged exposure to damaging UV radiation. You can enhance your board’s resistance to sunlight degradation by applying a UV-blocking spray such as 303 Protectant. Think of it as sunscreen for your board and gear.

After cleaning your board, treat the deck, rails and bottom with 303 Protectant once or twice a year. Avoid the urge to apply the product more frequently since excessive use can damage your board.

8 Deflate for storage

Leaving your board out in the hot sun when fully inflated can cause the air inside to heat up and expand. The result is overinflation, which can lead to leaks, ruptures and other damage. Always store your board in the shade, out of the sun when you’re not on the water. Know your board’s maximum recommended inflation pressure and check the air pressure regularly, especially if you’re on and off the water throughout the day. Your board may need a top up for optimum rigidity, or you may need to release a bit of air.

How To Standup Paddleboard

If your inflated board will sit in the sun on a hot day, let some air out of the board to allow for expansion. Now, when it does heat up, there’s room inside to keep the pressure below the recommended maximum. This is also a good rule for transporting your inflated board on your roof rack.

9 Store indoors for long periods

When storing your inflatable paddleboard for longer periods of time, make sure it is completely dry prior to storage and choose a cool, dry place out of the sun. Storing indoors is best to avoid moisture or temperature-related damage. One of the best things about inflatable paddleboards is they don’t take up much space when rolled up, so you can stash your board in the back of a closet or under the stairwell.

Many inflatable paddleboard manufacturers recommend deflating your board to about five psi of pressure, leaving it lightly inflated and loosely rolled during storage. Keeping some air in your board while you store it will reduce the chances of any folds or seams becoming weak areas over time.

10 Maintain your pump

Like the boards themselves, SUP pumps benefit from routine maintenance to keep them working smoothly and efficiently. Manufacturers often provide hand pumps that are simple and easy to service, but you might want to take a look at our listing of the best electric paddleboard pumps.

Look for a couple of screws allowing you to remove the top of the pump. You can check inside the pump and remove any dirt or sand from the chamber, shaft and filter. Next, check the O-ring on the pump plunger—if it looks dry or damaged, lubricate it with a bit of lithium grease or replace it with a new, greased O-ring. Voila, your pump will be back up to optimum pressure, and your arms will thank you.

Cover of Paddling Magazine Issue 67 This article was first published in the Summer 2022 issue of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.

Hear us now and believe this later… We are here to pump you up. | Feature photo: Scott MacGregor

How To Perfect Your Kayak Forward Stroke (Video)

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

-

November 1, 2022

Without question, there is no stroke we use more often in kayaking than the forward stroke. The ability to execute a completely effective and efficient forward stroke is perhaps more complex though than we give credit.

When we hit the water, we often quickly move on to more exciting techniques and spend the rest of our paddling days living with the habits developed with those first strokes. The truth is whether you are new to kayaking or a veteran of the sport, the forward stroke can always use work. In this video, Jackson Kayak athlete Boyd Ruppelt goes over the elements of a proper forward kayak stroke.

Tips To Perfect Your Kayak Forward Stroke

Ruppelt opens by explaining the benefits of a solid forward stroke.

“The reality is, efficiency is your friend,” he says. “You want to have endurance as a kayaker because you’re going to be paddling a lot. Also, the more momentum you have, the more control you have. Another reason is injury prevention. Having good technique keeps you from getting hurt.”

Here are a few key points Ruppelt shares to help your kayak forward stroke:

Posture

“Make sure that you’re sitting up nice and tall. Straighten your spine. [Run] an imaginary line going through your head and out your crown. Hinge forward slightly at the hips rather than just hunching forward.”

[ Read: The Key To A Perfect Paddling Stroke Is All In Your Head ]

Torso Rotation

“If you’re sitting in a chair, imagine turning your body without turning your legs, leaving your legs forward—that’s step one. Step two is picking something to look at. You should be able to rotate your body without turning your head.”

Bringing The Paddle In The Mix

“All I’m going to do is rotate my body. Without moving my legs and without moving my head, plant the paddle at your feet. As you unwind your body and pull the stroke, pull it with your whole body. Rotating your torso, pull the paddle out at your hips.

“You should be lined up where your opposite hand and opposite elbow are in alignment with the center of the kayak. The top arm should be positioned about shoulder high to forehead high.”

Top Arm As A Fulcrum

“Your top hand really needs to be a fulcrum for the lever. You can have a lot more power using your entire body to rotate your core. You’re going to know you’ve got it right when your paddle blade enters the water quietly without a lot of splash and exits just as smoothly.”

For top picks and expert reviews, check out Paddling Magazine’s guide to the best whitewater kayaks here.

Three Waters: Father-Daughter Tandem Expedition Crosses Lake Huron

By

Scott Parent

-

November 1, 2022

a canoe stops at Bigsby Island in Lake Huron during a father-daughter tandem expedition — Respite on Bigsby Island, Georgian Bay. | Feature photo: Scott Parent

This lunch stop on Bigsby Island in Lake Huron was a special moment. My daughter and I were 22 days into a 32-day tandem expedition across the great lake, starting from Bootaagani-Minis (Drummond Island) in Michigan, with the goal of reaching Penetanguishene in Ontario, Canada. We traveled on a 14-foot-long Blu Wave SUP Catalina.

Early in the expedition, we both contended with concerns over the challenges ahead and our precious cargo on board. For me, that meant my nine-year-old daughter. For my daughter, Acadia, it meant the glass vials containing water samples we were collecting along the journey and the equipment for microplastics sampling.

Kwin Morris and Joe Lorenz paddled 70 miles

Why three paddleboarders are on a quest to cross all five Great Lakes

Father-daughter tandem expedition explores Lake Huron

The expedition started as an idea to trace the 1828 migration of my Metis ancestors across Lake Huron, from Drummond Island to Penetanguishene. It was Acadia’s idea to turn the trip into an environmental journey and take water samples for microplastics research, something she learned about through the Lake Huron Coastal Centre for Conservation. We carried with us a deep-water sampler and collected some of the first deep water data for Lake Huron, so we could learn more about the threat of plastic pollution.

We experienced the full monty of weather, wind and waves as we traveled the coastlines of Lake Huron’s three bodies of water—the North Channel, Lake Huron proper and Georgian Bay. The lake’s long shorelines present unique challenges to navigate. Along the eastern shoreline of Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world, the winds turned with us, and we journeyed consecutive three-leg days, paddling in the morning, afternoon and evening. Along the north shore of Georgian Bay, we had strong winds and half-meter chop hitting us broadside but were able to bounce forward using the inlets and islands as handrails.

A welcome break at Bigsby Island

Here at Bigsby, we had reached the archipelagic eastern shoreline of Georgian Bay. And with approximately 300 kilometers of our journey behind us and a little more than 150 kilometers ahead, we were paddling into the labyrinthine Thirty Thousand Islands region. The day had been piping hot. Having paddled 15 kilometers that morning, we opted to relax for the afternoon and resume paddling later that evening. We took a water sample and cast a line. We caught a smallmouth bass and shared a shore lunch and a swim.

[ Plan your next Great Lakes adventure with the Paddling Trip Guide ]

In this photo, Poly, the polypropylene waterfowl—a duck decoy we’d been trolling behind us since finding it washed up on Greene Island—watches over Acadia as she loads the water sampling gear on the SUP. The block of blue foam, small plastic bucket and oil can on board were removed from islands along the way. We found plastic garbage at every campsite, lunch spot and pee break we made. We hauled out what we could.

As for the water samples? Microplastics were present in 42 of the 44 samples analyzed, mainly in the form of fibers. Those deep-water samples proved the presence of microplastics at depths of 50 feet in some channels.

Everything is interconnected

Since this transformative journey in July 2019, I’ve seen how prevalent microplastic pollution is across Lake Huron and how it has permeated the habitats of all wild creatures across the region. The journey also underscored the interconnectedness of all things—Acadia recognizes the water we swim in at home is affected because it’s all the same system. Through our documentary, Three Waters, we hope to bring the same realization to everyone connected to the Great Lakes region.

The Three Waters documentary about this expedition premiered in April 2022. Find screenings near you via writer Scott Parent’s Instagram @scottparentphoto.

Cover of Paddling Magazine Issue 67 This article was first published in the Summer 2022 issue of Paddling Magazine. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.

Respite on Bigsby Island, Georgian Bay. | Feature photo: Scott Parent

The Big Gear Show Announces New Event For 2023

By

Press Release: The Big Gear Show

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October 27, 2022

View of convention centre in Denver — Photo: Scott Dressel-Martin // VisitDenver

Denver, CO: The Big Gear Show announced today that it will hold its next show June 8-11, 2023, in Denver, Colorado, at the Colorado Convention Center. The show will co-locate with its sister e-bike show: (e)revolution. The Big Gear Show and (e)revolution represent a new era of industry events called B2B2C, or “business to business to consumer,” and will consist of two industry days and two consumer days.

Since its inception, The Big Gear Show has redefined what outdoor industry events should look like. Building on its unique multi-category format, the show is expanding to a more inclusive platform welcoming consumers into the mix. In addition to showcasing outdoor, cycling, climbing, paddlesports and camping gear, The Big Gear Show will add relevant categories like overland, trail running, and gear that you wear, like functional and technical footwear and apparel.

“Our ethos has always been to embrace both retailers and consumers and we feel like now is the time to bring our industry to where the people are,” said Kenji Haroutunian, show director, adding, “When we first announced The Big Gear Show in 2020, we envisioned it taking place inside an accessible center city location, designed to incorporate product demonstrations as well as consumer engagement. Now our original vision is realized.”

In welcoming The Big Gear Show, Governor Jared Polis said, “Colorado’s outdoor recreation opportunities are not only a lot of fun, but the outdoor industry is a big part of our thriving economy, creating good-paying jobs, supporting our small businesses across the state, and connecting people to our world-class outdoors. As a business person, I am excited about the opportunity that The Big Gear Show presents for our entrepreneurs and for our state to expand and showcase our inclusive and booming outdoor recreation industry and products.”

The show’s move to Denver provides exhibitors with access to over three million people and one of the most active outdoor populations in the country. By co-locating with (e)revolution, The Big Gear Show will attract new and more diverse participants to learn about the innovative gear promoting active outdoor recreation. Moreover, 80 percent of Colorado’s population lives within 100 miles of downtown Denver, creating a hive of activity all focused on healthy and responsible recreation outdoors.

Haroutunian noted, “We recognize early June is a busy time for the industry. But we feel there is no better time than June to gather the industry and kick off the outdoor industry’s summer recreation season.”

The Big Gear Show continues its promise of discovery in an exciting new format, providing opportunities for retail buyers in finding new resources with the added benefit of the show occurring at the start of the peak summer buying season. The show remains committed to being retailer-centric with first-look opportunities at next year’s gear, continuation of the retailer travel subsidy program, and retailer-focused education programming. Zones dedicated to product demonstration and testing are integrated into the show itself, letting attendees get hands-on experience with new products.

(e)revolution Show Director Lance Camisasca stated, “E-bikes are the fastest-growing segment in the entire active outdoor lifestyle industry. With the surging popularity in e-bikes and the increase in cross-merchandising of e-bikes in more traditional outdoor stores, the co-location of The Big Gear Show with (e)revolution makes all the sense in the world. It exponentially increases the potential for discovery by retailers, the media and consumers.”

Additionally, Camisasca noted, “The Big Gear Show will remain popular for all bike and accessory brands that wish to show their products to the growing number of outdoor retail stores with strong interests in cycling and crossover products”

“Colorado is excited to host The Big Gear Show and its forward-looking concept of an inclusive industry gathering of consumers and retailers,” said Outdoor Recreation Industry Office Director Conor Hall. “Events like The Big Gear Show and (e)revolution are important components in our push to ensure Colorado is a national leader in outdoor recreation and remains the gathering place of the industry where brands, retailers and consumers come together to learn, network and celebrate the great outdoors.”

Exhibitors can begin booking exhibit space starting now, with early bird pricing available through December 15, 2022. Retailers and media registration will also be available, with consumer registration open in early 2023.

Visit thebiggearshow.com for details on The Big Gear Show.

For more information contact:
Dave Petri
Lost Paddle Events
336-429-6860 | dave@lostpaddle.com

About The Big Gear Show

The Big Gear Show is redefining what an outdoor industry trade show should be. By embracing a wide range of outdoor recreation activities, this new B2B2C experiential model prioritizes meeting the needs of specialty retailers and their customers. The Big Gear Show features the gear that gets people outdoors, amplifying the stories of innovation and access for a new outdoor consumer base. Now in its third year, the event will not only gather professionals from the top outdoor recreation specialty retailers, brands and media, but will also be the first of its kind to invite consumers to attend.

About (e)revolution

(e)revolution is the world’s first B2B2C e-bike expo focused solely on the needs of e-bike brands, dealers, suppliers and consumers. A four-day event that provides brands and suppliers opportunities to engage directly with e-bike retailers and cyclists, providing education, demonstrations, and industry networking and social events. The show takes place in Denver, Colorado at the Colorado Convention Center in June 2023.

About Lost Paddle Events

Lost Paddle Events is the leader in retailer and consumer-focused trade shows. Led by a team of industry trade show experts across multiple outdoor recreation categories, Lost Paddle Events produces outdoor-focused events across a range of outdoor recreation categories. Its events include the premiere multi-category trade show, The Big Gear Show; the first of its kind e-bike trade show, (e)revolution; and consumer-centric sports shows, including the Saltwater Fishing Expo, Chicagoland Fishing Travel & Outdoor Expo, and World Fishing & Outdoor Expo.

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Reader’s Digest Publishes Paddling Safety Article Written For Water Sports Foundation Program

By

The Safer Paddling Campaign, Jeff Moag

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October 27, 2022

October 25, 2022, ORLANDO, Fla – The world’s largest paid-circulation magazine, Reader’s Digest, recently published a paddling safety story written as part of the Water Sports Foundation program Lessons for Life: Accidents As Learning Experiences. The WSF Content Director Jeff Moag wrote the article, Nightmare On Lake Superior, which was first published in Men’s Journal and Paddling Magazine.

Lessons For Life uses stories and videos about true-life incidents to promote boating and paddling safety. The story Reader’s Digest published was about three friends whose paddling adventure on Lake Superior turned into a life-threatening ordeal when a sudden storm caught them off-guard. All three men capsized and became separated in the squall. Moag’s story describes each paddler’s harrowing experience, describing both how they got into the potentially deadly situation and how they managed to survive.

Reader’s Digest Global Rights Manager Thomas Dombrowolski said, “Each month, Reader’s Digest publishes a Drama In Real Life column. It is one of our longest-running features and a reader favorite. We typically commission these features ourselves, but when we came across the Lake Superior story, we thought it was perfect the way it is.”

The story was republished in the June 2022 Reader’s Digest, reaching more than 40 million subscribers in 70 countries.

Magazine spread of illustration of sea kayakers caught in a storm — The opening page illustration that *Reader’s Digest* commissioned Mark Smith to develop for the Nightmare On Lake Superior story.

“It’s an honor to have my work picked up by the world’s largest subscription magazine, especially since it validates the premise of our Lessons For Life program,” Moag said. “At the WSF, we believe good storytelling is the best and most memorable way to share lifesaving safety advice.”

Since 2017, the WSF has published 22 Lessons For Life narratives and 15 videos, in cooperation with 13 major enthusiast titles such as Boating, Men’s Journal, Cruising World, Saltwater Sportsman, Paddling Magazine, Kayak Angler, BassFan, In-Fisherman, Florida Sportsman and Paddling.com. The goal is to engage readers in the story and use the narrative to show the audience how to stay safe and incident-free in their own boating and paddling adventures.

Other WSF Lessons For Life stories have also gone viral, including Heroic Rescue at Destin Pass, about a family whose boat capsized in strong currents. The four-minute video has been viewed more than 2.5 million times on various platforms. All the Lessons For Life stories and videos are archived on the WSF website: WaterSportsFoundation.com.

The Water Sports Foundation is the non-profit educational arm of the Water Sports Industry Association which represents more than 500 corporate members. Since 2011, the Water Sports Foundation has been a U.S. Coast Guard non-profit grant recipient. The Lessons For Life: Accidents As Learning Experiences project contracted Moag to produce real-life stories distributed to boaters as educational material. The project has been highly successful capped by the recent honors bestowed by Reader’s Digest.

The Water Sports Foundation is a U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating safety outreach partner and is currently managing seven outreach grant projects each promoting safer boating and paddling to specific U.S. targeted audiences.

About the Water Sports Foundation

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the WSF has successfully managed dozens of boating safety outreach projects since 2011 as a U.S. Coast Guard non-profit grant recipient. The Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund administered through Congressional action provides funding for the U.S. Coast Guard’s recreational boating safety non-profit grants program. For more information, contact Jim Emmons, WSF executive director, at info@WaterSportsFoundation.com.