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.

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!

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.

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.

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