In my last post, I stressed the dangers and risks associated with paddling in cold water.  I hope that no one feels like a am being an elitist, “holier than thou” kind of kayaker when I tell people that they shouldn’t be out on really cold water without wearing a drysuit.  My intent is to [...]

I’m as happy as anyone to see this warmer than normal weather we’re having here in Wisconsin. (Hopefully, we won’t have to pay for it with a colder than normal June and July.)  I do have a serious concern, though, when we start getting these days in the 60’s so early in the season.  Cabin-feverish, [...]

I spent 3 days at Canoecopia in Madison this past weekend and had the opportunity to look at a lot of products intended to help with solo loading and unloading of kayaks.  Knowing that there are many potential paddlers, particularly women, who are hesitant to get into the sport because they are concerned that they [...]

Paddles are probably the second most expensive piece of kayaking gear you will purchase, but worth every penny.  If you have a limited budget to spend on a kayak and accessories (and who doesn’t), I suggest that you cut back on what you spend for the kayak and put the money you save into buying [...]

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, I am going to suggest that you read an excellent blog post by Derrick Mayoleth, a fellow ACA instructor, who wrote a very comprehensive article on what to look for in a PFD and how to properly fit it.  Your life jacket is a very important piece of [...]

Sprayskirts are available for most kayaks including recreational kayaks.  However, they are really only a necessary safety item for whitewater and sea kayakers.  A sprayskirts is needed to keep waves from filling the cockpit of a kayak and making it unstable and unseaworthy.  It also keeps the water out of the kayak during a roll [...]

The first sign of spring has arrived on my doorstep.  The Canoecopia program brochure was delivered a little over a week ago.  Can paddling season be far behind?  As the snow begins to melt into the rivers and lakes, our thoughts naturally turn to all the pieces of kayaking gear that we want or need [...]