The Paddling Mag team is thrilled to announce we have won the Best Magazine: Special Interest award and the Magazine Grand Prix award at Canada’s prestigious 47th annual National Magazine Awards. These accolades are a testament to the exceptional work, creativity and passion of our incredible team and talented contributors, who shape the magazine’s success.
Paddling Magazine wins two National Magazine Awards
The Magazine Grand Prix award celebrates the publication that demonstrates overall excellence in bringing its publishing team together to create an outstanding product. Judges praised Paddling Mag for its user-friendly design and engaging content, noting, “From the very first turn of the page, Paddling Magazine was easy to navigate, fun and informative to read.” They were impressed by the magazine’s ability to “draw us into its world of technique, cool gear, and—most impressively—breathtaking photography of the places to be discovered.”
More than 200 publications enter the awards each year, and we are honored and humbled to be recognized alongside industry giants like Canadian Geographic, Toronto Life, Macleans and The Walrus. Paddling Mag’s art director, Michael Hewis, and editor-in-chief, Kaydi Pyette, proudly accepted these awards at the gala on June 7, 2024, where the winners were announced. They were thrilled to represent the magazine and the amazing team behind it.
“From the very first turn of the page, Paddling Magazine was easy to navigate, fun and informative to read.”
—National Magazine Awards jury
“This is such an honor. Winning these awards is a testament to the incredible effort our team puts in every day to celebrate paddling in all its forms and connect with our readers in a meaningful way,” said Pyette.
“None of this would be possible without our incredible readers, contributors and partners who bring such richness to our pages,” added Hewis.
This magazine began as a dream scribbled on the back of a bar napkin in 1998. Back then, founder Scott MacGregor’s big idea was to create Rapid, a North American whitewater paddling magazine. In his very first Off The Tongue editorial, MacGregor wrote, “I’m not about to sit here in my duct-taped plastic desk chair and predict the future of this magazine, but I do have a few ideas.”
While receiving the highest honor in Canadian magazine publishing wasn’t on his radar then, MacGregor saw the magazine’s potential to evolve and adapt. In that same editorial from 26 years ago, MacGregor wrote: “As Rapid matures it will take on many different forms, constantly changing, evolving and striving to be the best magazine possible.”
From those early days, Paddling Magazine has grown into a leading voice in the paddlesports community and beyond. We want to extend a massive thank you to the paddling community for your continued support and enthusiasm. Your passion fuels our mission to deliver the best of paddlesports. None of this would be possible without you.
If you’re not already a subscriber, you can dive deeper into the world of paddling with a subscription to Paddling Magazine. If you’re passionate about paddling adventures and value top-notch storytelling, subscribing is the perfect way to ensure you never miss out on our exclusive content. From thrilling expedition stories to expert tips and the latest gear reviews—Paddling Magazine is crafted for enthusiasts by enthusiasts.
Subscribe now and let us bring the adventure to your doorstep. If you love paddling, you’ll love Paddling Magazine.
Well done Scott and team. Very impressed with your magazine and the fact that you’ve been properly recognized for your work. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Scott, and mostly Kaydi! You have my heart.