Paddling Education

Learn About Canoes & Canoeing, Part 2
In this second part of filmmaker Jason Eke’s 2-part series “Master the Canoe” for beginning paddlers, he discusses the topics of loading your gear, canoe safety, how to choose a paddle and the most important paddle strokes.
Our Best Tips for Large Kayakers, Kayak Anglers and Canoeists
Here at Bending Branches we’re passionate about getting people out on the water. All people—no matter their age, ethnicity, size or shape.
Adjust the Fit of Your Touring Kayak
Touring kayaks are designed to fit the body of a kayaker in specific ways for the best kayaking experience. In this video our friend Dan Arbuckle, from California’s Headwaters Kayak, takes us through how to adjust the fit of your touring kayak.
Manage Your Paddle without Scaring the Fish
Bending Branches ProStaffer Chad Hoover offers kayak fishing anglers another helpful video on his YouTube channel: tips on how to manage your paddle when you’re hands are busy fishing.
Learn about Canoes and Canoeing, Part 1
Filmmaker Jason Eke has canoed most of his life. With this video he begins a 2-part series for beginners on how to canoe. Since he records the video while he’s in the boat, viewers get to see some beautiful Canadian wilderness along with the instruction.
Bending Branches’ Quality Assurance Process
Ensuring that our canoe, kayak and kayak fishing paddles are of the highest quality is our top priority here at Bending Branches. Our definition of “quality” includes durability, light weight and cosmetic appeal.
The 200-Pound Kayak Fishing Challenge
Bending Branches ProStaffers and pals, Gene Jensen and Chad Hoover, spent a day on the waters off the Florida coast to attempt to catch a Goliath grouper without falling out of their kayak.
Our Readers’ Favorite Content from 2021
Canoeists, kayakers and kayak anglers like you are why we’re in business. We put out a lot of content each year to help you learn, get inspired and enjoy your time on the water in whatever boat you love.
Interview with “Old Lady Angler”
Tracy Joseph, aka Old Lady Angler, jumped into kayak fishing with both feet after retirement. Her enthusiasm is inspiring many other anglers, especially beginners who’ve found her YouTube channel.
Kayak Fishing’s Best Fishing Knot
Bending Branches’ Regional Ambassador, Moo Lee, is well known in his native northern California through his YouTube Channel, MooMoo Outdoors. In this extremely helpful video he explains the Uni Knot—his vote for best fishing knot.
14 Amazing Canoe Trips in Canada
Few things go together as perfectly as Canada and canoeing. In this post, I’d like to introduce you to some of the best canoe trips in Canada. This isn’t an exhaustive list - with so many lakes and rivers, it would be impossible to include all of the amazing places to canoe. I hope you find inspiration for your next trip!
How the ACA Supports Paddlers
The American Canoe Association (ACA) has supported people involved in paddlesports since 1880—more than 140 years. ACA began in the United States and now has 15,000 members from around the world.
Martin Trahan: Born to Canoe
Martin Trahan has canoed across vast portions of North America, both in his native Canada and in the US. We’re honored to have him share his story with the Bending Branches community.
Kayak Angler and Pro Photographer, Reggie Chapa
For Texan, Reggie Chapa, kayak fishing and photography are a natural mix of two of his passions. Already a kayak angler, Reggie connected with Bending Branches through his photography.
Fishing Chronicles with Branches’ Team Members
A few of Bending Branches’ Ambassador and ProStaff team members generously shared a recent kayak fishing story with us. We hope these inspire you for your next angling adventure, too!
What It Means to Be a “Build to Order” Company
Here at Bending Branches we were already 20 years into our history when we switched from our previous “build to inventory” manufacturing process to our current “build to order” process.
Rural Tennessee: Home of the Musky
The Musky. Fish of ten thousand casts so they say. I either cast a lot more than I think I do, or I must be one of the luckiest anglers ever as I have now landed three of these absolute beasts.
One-Arm Freedom® Canoe Paddle for Adaptive Paddling
“Water is the most inclusive medium” says One-Arm Freedom canoe paddle inventor, Cindy Dillenschneider. A long-time believer in making the outdoors accessible to everyone, Cindy committed herself to developing an adaptive canoe paddle for those with upper limb impairments.
15 Gift Ideas for Your Canoeing and Kayaking Kids
Here are 15 gift ideas for your paddling kids that won’t just fill up the toy box. These are gifts they’ll love to use on the water every time they’re out.
Angler Pro Kayak Fishing Paddle Blade Pattern: Copperhead
We’re happy to introduce our newest new blade pattern for Bending Branches’ award-winning kayak fishing paddle, the Angler Pro: Copperhead.
ProStaffer Tyler Thiede on Frog Fishing for Bass
Bending Branches ProStaffer, Tyler Thiede, talks frog fishing for bass on this episode of Paddle N’ Fin Network, a podcast for kayak anglers of all levels.