Paddling Education

Canoe Camping: Bear Safety

If you canoe camp in bear country—which includes much of North America and parts of Scandinavia—you need to understand and follow bear safety to protect you, your group and the local bear population.

How Bending Branches Stacks Up in this Paddle Review
We appreciate all the independent reviewers who give their honest opinions about paddling gear, including our own products.
Retailer Highlight: Ozark Mountain Trading Company, Arkansas
Ozark Mountain Trading Company (OMTC) is a family-owned paddlesports retailer based in northern Arkansas that’s celebrating its 20th year in business in 2024.
How to Choose a Family-Friendly Canoe Destination
When it comes time to introduce your kids to canoeing or kayaking, here are a few suggestions so your chosen destination goes toward a fun and memorable experience for everyone
What If Your Inflatable Fishing Kayak Pops a Leak?
What would you do if your inflatable fishing kayak popped a leak while you were out on the water? Bending Branches Pro Team member Chris Funk answers that question for us in a couple of recent videos.
Build a Paddling First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first aid kit is something you hope you won’t need on a paddle trip. But you’ll sure be glad to have one along if you do.
A Good Read: “Gunflint Falling: Blowdown in the Boundary Waters”
Canoeists everywhere—especially wilderness canoeists—will appreciate reading Gunflint Falling: Blowdown in the Boundary Waters by Cary J. Griffith. It'll hit home, whether we’ve been anywhere near that type of event or not.
Kayak Fishing Safety on the Ocean: Swell and Wind
Pro Team member Moo “MooMoo” Lee has kayak fished on the ocean off the coast of California for over a decade. Here he shares valuable tips about swell and wind waves while fishing.
Is Your Canoe Camping Environmentally Friendly?
Canoe camping is a marvelous way to enjoy wilderness areas, rivers and parks. How can we help protect these areas from negative human impact for future generations of canoeists?
The Key Role of Continual Innovation
Bending Branches’ mission is to inspire meaningful outdoor experiences by offering premium products worth bragging about. Having an innovation mindset plays a vital role in carrying out that mission.
Independent Retailer Spotlight: The Complete Paddler (Ontario, Canada)
The Complete Paddler (TCP) has been North America’s largest paddlesports shop since 2005. Its Toronto headquarters is just minutes from Lake Ontario and just a couple of hours from some of Canada’s best canoeing destinations.
How to Kayak Fish with Your Pooch
Bending Branches Ambassador Casey Ryan loves to kayak fish and loves to be with his dogs. It’s only natural that he brings his dogs along on his fishing kayak when he can. He has tips for you too, if you’d like to try to bring your 4-legged friend fishing.
How to Find Canoe Trip Options Close to Home

If you’re new to canoeing, new to your area, or simply ready for a new adventure, there are several avenues you can explore to find the best canoe trip options close to you.
Even if You Rent Canoes, Buy Your Own Paddle! Here’s Why
If you love canoeing but prefer to rent canoes, it’s still absolutely worthwhile to invest in buying your own canoe paddle. There are several reasons for that…
6 Top Canoe Destinations in North America

Naming the 6 top canoe destinations is sort of like naming the 6 best ice cream flavors. It depends who you ask!

Here’s our list of 6 top canoe destinations in North America…

Independent Retailer Spotlight: La Maison du Canoë, France
La Maison du Canoë is a canoe and kayak shop that serves paddling enthusiasts of all skill levels in beautiful southeast France.
How to Cope with Tough Kayak Fishing Conditions
Bending Branches Ambassador Casey Ryan offers expert advice about how to cope with some of freshwater kayak fishing’s most common challenges.
Proper Kayak Fishing Paddle Care & Storage
Your investment in a good kayak fishing paddle (or three) will last many years when you follow these easy and common-sense care tips.
Protecting the Boundary Waters: These Organizations Work Hard
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in northeast Minnesota is America’s most-visited wilderness area. Several Minnesota-based organizations have arisen to help protect this important environment along with tens of thousands of concerned citizens.
Kayak Adventure Series 2024 Promises Fish, Fun and Films
2024’s Kayak Adventure Series is a unique kayak fishing tournament series with six events planned across the eastern half of the US. Each event features a different location with an incredible fishery, a revitalized downtown area, and a historic theater for awards and a film that will show some anglers’ best tournament footage on the big screen.
Rig Your Fishing Kayak with Function in Mind
One of the favorite topics of kayak angler (and Bending Branches Ambassador) Joshua “Mek” Evans is rigging a fishing kayak so it’s as functional as possible. What you bring along and how it’s laid out in your boat can really enhance your fishing experiences—or be super annoying.