Paddling Education

“Can You Canoe?” with The Okee Dokee Brothers
Ready for a fun canoe video or two? The Okee Dokee Brothers canoed the Mississippi River from Minneapolis to St. Louis, writing the songs for their album Can You Canoe? along the way (you might recognize their paddles!).
An All-Women’s Boundary Waters Canoe Trip
A couple weeks ago a group of eight women took a week off work to head north and spend four days in the Boundary Waters together.
Kevlar or Aluminum Canoe? How to Choose Yours
Modern canoes are made of many different materials, with Kevlar and aluminum being two of the most popular. How do you know which to look for when shopping for a canoe?
An Inflatable Canoe? Why Not?
Inflatable kayaks and paddle boards are everywhere—but an inflatable canoe? It’s worth considering if space is at a premium both for storage and transport but you love canoeing.
River vs Flatwater Canoe: What’s the Difference?
Our friends at Minnesota-based Midwest Mountaineering offer a helpful walk-through of the differences between river and flatwater canoes. Before buying a canoe, watch this video first so you buy the correct type for your paddling excursions.
How to Get Kids into Kayaking & Kayak Fishing
Bending Branches Regional Ambassador Steve Hrynewycz is a huge believer and action-taker in getting kids in kayaks, whether for recreation or fishing.
Kayak Fishing Tournaments Beyond the Competition
Besides placing in this highly-competitive paddlesport, what motivates kayak anglers to fish in tournaments? Whether in small, local tourneys or a regional or national event, what are the benefits besides going for the biggest and best?
Gear Review: Branches’ Navigator Kayak Paddle
Kayak angler and Bending Branches Ambassador Moo Lee has been using our Navigator kayak paddle for two years. His short version review: “I love it!”
Should Women Kayak Fish? Of Course!
Bending Branches ProStaff team member CJ Bennett has been an avid kayak angler since 2014. She encourages other women to get into this sport she loves, too.
Tips for Tandem Kayak Anglers
It’s not always easy for two anglers to successfully paddle a tandem kayak together. Bending Branches ProStaffer Chris Funk and his wife Angie share some down-to-earth tips to make your experience fun rather than frustrating.
Introducing the Kayak Fishing Life to New Folks
One thing most of our ProStaff and Ambassador team members have in common is their desire to introduce new folks to kayak fishing. We asked a few of them how they do that.
Summer Playlist
Lets jam out together! We created the ultimate summer playlist with songs suggested by Bending Branches team members, employees, and you. Listen now and suggest your favorite songs below.  
Sea Kayaking Alaska’s Inside Passage: How to Choose a Campsite
Chris Whittaker and Nuka de Jocas are their own main characters in their ongoing story of For Fun’s Sake Expedition. Here we take a look at Episode 8 of their 1,600-km kayak journey: How to choose a campsite along the Alaskan coast.
Wetsuit or Drysuit for Cold Water Kayaking and Canoeing?
When you decide to canoe or kayak on very cold water you need to be protected with either a wetsuit or a drysuit. What’s the difference?
Canoeing Etiquette: At the Launch and On the Water
The canoeing world is full of wonderful people who love nature, love the water and enjoy being around others. If you remember to be considerate and respectful, you’ll have conquered 90% of canoeing etiquette.
Canoe Trailers: Where to Buy and DIY
Do you have two or more canoes you need to transport? You can either buy a canoe trailer or build one yourself. Here are some ideas…
We Asked Our Pro Team Where Their Favorite Local Kayak Fishing Spot Is
Since our National ProStaff and Ambassador team members are the kayak fishing experts, we wanted to find out where they love to fish in their own area.
The Role of Kayaks in Alaskan Subsistence Living
Bending Branches Ambassador Josiah Pleasant (and many of his fellow Alaskans) lives a “subsistence” life most of us think disappeared 100+ years ago. Josiah shares with us why that is, and how kayaking plays a role.
Top Kayak Fishing Spots in Europe
Bending Branches ProStaffer Dennis Kieselhorst shares his favorite kayak fishing destination in his native Germany as well as other top spots in northern Europe. If you’re one of the growing number of European kayak anglers out there, these will give you some great ideas…
The Best Canoeing in Scotland
Bending Branches ProStaffer Will Copestake has canoed all over his native Scotland. Here, he lets us in on what he believes are Scotland’s best canoe destinations.
PFDs for Kayak Fishing: What Do You Need?
Besides a kayak and a paddle, the other non-negotiable kayak fishing item you need to be on the water is a PFD—a Personal Flotation Device (commonly known as a life jacket).