CanoeSport Outfitters

Paddling upstream efficiently has very little to do with raw strength and almost everything to do with where you choose to put your boat. A river is not a uniform conveyor belt moving at one speed from bank to bank. It is a complex, constantly varying system of fast and slow water, and learning to read that system is the foundation of effective upstreaming.

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.

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.

Jeff outlines his 7 favorite river routes in Iowa

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.