Why do we love whitewater? Life hacks, sex appeal, urban play, real adventure, and more. From A to Z, here are 26 things we can’t live without. (We’ll, we could do without the letter Q). This feature was originally published in Rapid, Summer/Fall 2014.
~A~
Adventure. The real kind. We’re talking free flowing water, first descents, international exploration, or even an easy local run that gets your heart pumping, your palms sweating and reminds you you’re a living, breathing, mortal creature. In March, Google Maps launched a ‘street view’ descent of the Colorado River—it’s cool, but as paddlers we can adventure to places like the Grand Canyon in a real life, off-the-couch kind of way.
~B~
~C~
Camaraderie. Heartwarming right? When we asked Rapid’s Facebook fans what they love most about paddling, we expected to hear about big water, epic expeditions and cascading creeks. Nope! Almost 70 percent of respondents said fellow paddlers were what made their paddling lives complete.
~D~
D-Rings. It’s amazing that such a small, simple and strategically-placed piece of metal can be so essential.
~E~
Excuses. “Oh your skirt imploded? Well in that case…bootie beer.”
~F~
Festivals. Races, waves, podiums, concerts, big bucks and bon fires. A gathering of the greatest people you could ever hang out with? Yes, please.
~G~
Gear. In 2014 Adventure Technology launched a new unbreakable paddle design and Esquif Canoes announced a new hull material as tough as Royalex and twenty times more abrasion resistant. Kayak designs continue to evolve, drysuit designs are sleeker than ever and every year paddling products get lighter, better, faster, stronger.
~H~
Hacks. Sure, we love a high-end, ultra-light, sexy new Gore-Tex anything as much as the next guy, but we also love how many hacks there are for boaters on a budget. Don’t have a hundred bucks to drop on new river shoes? Your high school gym class sneakers will do the trick. Can’t afford physio? Tennis ball massage. No roof rack? Pool noodles.Popped float bags? Beach balls. Don’t want a mortgage? Live in your van!
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This article originally appeared in Rapid, Summer/Fall 2014. Read the entire issue on your desktop, Apple or Android device.
