CanoeSport Outfitters

This is the single biggest leap most paddlers make on their way from beginner to Intermediate. It's the moment the paddle stops feeling like a mystery and starts feeling like a tool you actually control.

Short of knowing how to re-enter and roll, a scramble rescue provides the cleanest and quickest way back into your kayak after an unexpected swim. Learning it will increase your confidence, your safety, and provide additional positive benefits. Copyright © June 2026 by CanoeSport Outfitters | Est. 1992 | 34 Years Serving Iowa Paddlers Capsizing happens. Even experienced paddlers find themselves unexpectedly in the water, and when it does happen, the ability to get back in

Capsizing in a kayak doesn’t have to be scary. Practice tipping over in a controlled and calm manner and it will soon develop into your normal response when you tip over. Copyright © June 2026 by CanoeSport Outfitters | Est. 1992 | 34 Years Serving Iowa Paddlers There is a moment that every new kayaker dreads. The boat leans too far, the water rushes up, and suddenly the world is upside down. Every instinct says the same thing: get out, get out now, get to the surface as fast

Paddling is one of the best ways to connect with the outdoors — but it comes with real risks that are easy to manage when you're prepared. From always wearing your PFD to dressing for water temperature (not just air temp), these six safety tips will help keep you on the water and out of trouble. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned paddler, a quick refresher on the basics could make all the difference. Head to the blog and check it out before your next launch!

Copyright © May 2026 by CanoeSport Outfitters | Est. 1992 | 34 Years Serving Iowa Paddlers The forward stroke is the foundation of kayak paddling. It is the stroke you will use thousands of times on any meaningful day on the water, and the one that most paddlers never really examine after their first few sessions. A well-executed forward stroke is not just more efficient — it is less fatiguing, easier on the joints, and faster over distance than the arm-dominant, muscle-it-

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.

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,

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.