CanoeSport Outfitters

The most effective shuttle strategies start at the end. Rather than everyone gathering at the put-in and then scrambling to figure out logistics, the better approach is to have everyone meet at the take-out first. From there, the group shuttles together to the put-in using as few vehicles as possible. When the trip ends, only the drivers of vehicles left at the put-in need to make the return drive, while everyone else stays with the boats and those that can load up at the tak

The bridge between beginner and intermediate isn't a technique you learn in an afternoon. It's a collection of habits you build through deliberate practice, and it shows up most clearly in one place: edging. This article is going to describe how to practice the skill so it becomes a habit; something you’ll find harder to avoid than to do.

Have you ever felt that heart-stopping moment when your kayak starts to tip and you're not sure what to do next? A solid brace can be the difference between a quick recovery and a cold swim — and it all starts with one simple movement you can practice right now. Our latest article breaks down the high brace, the low brace, and the hip mechanics behind both, with a step-by-step progression to get you water-ready.

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

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-

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.

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

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.

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