CanoeSport Outfitters

Ask ten paddlers why they're on the water and you'll get ten different answers. This is one of the most remarkable things about paddling as a pursuit. Here's a look at the many reasons people fall in love with paddling — and why, if you haven't found your reason yet, you likely will.

The International Scale of River Difficulty is the standard used throughout North America and much of the world. Knowing the scale helps paddlers choose appropriate rivers, communicate about conditions, and make sound judgments before putting a boat in the water.

There is an old joke in the paddling world that the canoe is a "divorce boat." Anyone who has spent time around the sport knows exactly what it means. Two people climb into a canoe, one at each end, and within twenty minutes one of them is giving instructions, the other is ignoring them, and the boat is going sideways. The tandem canoe has ended more than a few otherwise peaceful afternoons, and the running joke has a foundation in genuine frustration.

This is the most critical function of a bulkhead. It turns a swamped kayak from a sinking liability into a floating asset that you can cling to, swim alongside, or learn to re-enter without returning to shore to do so.

Des Moines and the surrounding area offer excellent lake paddling. Whether you're looking for a quick after-work paddle, a peaceful morning on calm water, or a full-day adventure, we've got you covered.

Mastering the Sweep Stroke Forward & Reverse Kayak Techniques for Beginning To Intermediate Paddlers Copyright © April 2026 by CanoeSport Outfitters | Est. 1992 | If there is one family of strokes that forms the true backbone of maneuvering a kayak, it’s the sweep stroke. Whether you are a beginner learning to turn in flat water or an experienced paddler peeling out of a river eddy, understanding how to execute a clean forward and reverse sweep will transform the way you move

The ice is out. The days are getting longer. Your kayak or canoe has been sitting in your garage since October, and you’ve been thinking about it every time the temperature nudges above fifty degrees. Spring paddling season is here, and there is absolutely no reason to wait for summer to enjoy it.

The Key To Safety On The River Is To Control Your Kayak Or The River Will Control You Published © March 2026 by CanoeSport Outfitters | Est. 1992 | 34 Years Serving Iowa Paddlers There's a certain magic to drifting down an Iowa river on a warm afternoon — paddle across your lap, sun on your face, letting the current do the work. It's one of the simplest pleasures paddling has to offer, and on most Iowa waterways, that laid-back approach works just fine. The rivers are gentle,

There is nothing quite like pushing a sea kayak off a fog-covered shore at dawn and knowing the day belongs entirely to you.

Whether you're heading out onto a glassy lake at dawn or paddling a stretch of river you've had your eye on all summer, a well-packed kayak is the difference between a great day on the water and a miserable one. The good news is that day trips are forgiving — you don't need to overthink it. But there are some essentials you absolutely cannot leave on shore.

Thinking about getting into paddling? Here's what experienced paddlers wish they'd known from the start: you will get wet, the "all-around" boat is a myth, and fighting a heavy paddle won't build fitness — it'll build a shoulder injury. Every boat is a trade-off between speed and stability, and your first boat is just your first, not a permanent commitment. Get decent gear, respect whitewater, and give yourself room to be a beginner — the rest comes with time on the water.

Your complete pre-season checklist for safe, enjoyable paddling.

Our Tybee Island 2022 trip review

Traditional vs. Euro paddles and big vs. small blades.

Jeff outlines his 7 favorite river routes in Iowa

Being a participant in a guided trip can greatly reduce the stress and time required to organize and execute a trip of your own.

Paddling the Little Sioux: “Alright. You be careful and don’t get lost,” she said. I gave her a quizzical look and responded, “Um. It’s a river, it goes in one direction. How could I get lost?” I responded.

I have led over 2 dozen wilderness destination trips and countless instructional lessons and have been fortunate to never have a serious medical emergency occur to a student or myself. This December I had the opportunity to travel to Landmark Learning an affiliate of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and take part in a 9-day intensive Wilderness First Responder (WFR or pronounced 'woofer') course, which blew any of my previous training out of the water!

So you have decided to try out paddle sports and possibly purchase a kayak. Wonderful! Paddling is a great way to get on the water and explore our lakes and rivers! The best way to choose a kayak is to try them out or demo them. Just like you would try out a car before you buy it, you need to test a kayak’s bells and whistles to make sure it will fit your needs.

At 6:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 15th, eleven University of Iowa students, my co-guide from Grinnell College, and myself piled into two University vehicles and headed out for Hall’s Crossing on Lake Powell in Utah to spend the week on Spring Break.