Paddling Education

A Quick Guide to Alabama’s Canoe Trails

Alabama's diverse paddling trails range from dark, alligator-infested bayous to raging whitewater rivers.

World-Class Canoeing in the Boundary Waters

The world-class canoeing and backcountry camping of the Boundary Waters is a must for every canoeist’s list. Check out what makes this area so famous…

Top 6 Photography Tips for Wilderness Canoeing

Dawn LaPointe is a professional nature photographer and co-owner of Radiant Spirit Gallery in Duluth, Minnesota. Here she gives us her top six photography tips for “paddle-ographers”…

Canoe Camping in the Sierra Nevadas of California

If you don’t mind dressing for cool weather, spring canoe camping in the Sierra Nevadas means all the beauty without all the crowds…

Bending Branches’ Expedition Plus Canoe Paddle

The Expedition Plus is the ultimate wilderness canoe paddle. It’s designed for long days on the water…for multiple days in a row…in tough conditions.

The Alabama Scenic River Trail: 631 Miles of Adventure on the Water
Shards of afternoon sunlight stream between the clouds scattered above Philpott Lake, making the water glisten. As I paddle away from the Twin Ridge Recreation Area, my tiny kayak is the only disturbance to the lake’s still surface...
When Paddling Trips Go Awry: Can We Prepare for the Unexpected?

We paddle because we love it. We love being on the water, being in nature, combining it with other outdoor activities like camping and hiking. It’s relaxing…it’s exhilarating…it’s fun.

4 Kentucky Canoe Trails That Make For Great Overnight Paddling Trips
There’s nothing quite like summer in Kentucky—with the gorge, the sunsets, and the warm weather we’ve longed for all winter long, it’s the best season. And with outdoor activities ranging from boating and fishing to hiking and camping, it can be hard to decide what to do...
How to Repair a Wooden Canoe Paddle [Video]

Jason Eke, Canadian canoeist and filmmaker, shares his process for repairing a wooden canoe paddle so it looks and performs as good as new…

Canoeing in the Black Hills

Canoeing isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the Black Hills—at least not for Minnesotans like me! But with lakes, rivers and reservoirs scattered throughout this beautiful area, it’s sure worth looking into.

Can I Get an Unfinished Wood Paddle?

Our Customer Service Team is here to answer your questions and help you in any way we can. Here are a couple questions we get occasionally…

Canoe Camping: Bear Safety

Knowing bear safety is an important part of canoe camping when you’re in bear territory. Here are some tips to keep in mind...As our friends at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources say: “The best way to avoid bear problems is to not attract them in the first place.”

Canoe & Kayak Paddling Safety Essentials

Know and follow these basic safety tips so you can fully enjoy paddling for a lifetime.

BWCA Canoe Trip Success with a Toddler

If you’re a parent you know life with a toddler is often unpredictable. Bringing said toddler into the Boundary Waters for a canoe trip adds a whole new level of unpredictability!

Wooden Canoe Paddles: Brawn + Beauty

Wooden canoe paddles have a long history in canoeing. Wood was the original material used in paddles by the Native Americans, as well as the fur trading Voyageurs.

Life Jackets: All You Need to Know

A life jacket is the most important safety device for canoeists and kayakers no matter the water environment and activity.

Rockgard® - Protects your Paddle

Durability. Beauty. Performance. When designing our world class canoe and kayak paddles, these three things are always front of mind. It’s what our customer’s value and what sets us apart.

Best Canoe Paddles for the Boundary Waters & Quetico

When you head into remote wilderness areas for a canoe trip like Minnesota’s Boundary Waters or Canada’s Quetico, you need paddles you can depend on.

Canoe Strokes: The J-Stroke

Once the J-stroke is mastered, you'll feel much more in control of your canoe.

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…

How to Size a Canoe Paddle

Are you in the market for a canoe paddle and you don't know what size you should get? Watch our short video on how to properly size a canoe paddle and you'll be paddling your perfect paddle in no time!