CanoeSport Outfitters

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

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.

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 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.