Paddling Education

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.

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.

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.

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.

Great Salt Lake in Utah isn’t one of those destinations that’s on anyone’s list of best kayaking spots in America! But kayaker, Scott Baxter, has been paddling the lake for 30 years. Here’s his story of his circumnavigation of Great Salt Lake.

Paddling safety includes what you wear. The paddling rule of thumb is: dress for immersion, or: dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Why? Because there’s always a chance of capsize when you’re on the water.

In this fun and easy-going video from Dan Arbuckle and Headwaters Kayak, you’ll see how to re-enter a sit-inside kayak from the water.

“My first experience kayaking was this weekend and it was with one of your products. I had a blast!!!” When we received this comment from Nadine Evans, we knew we wanted to hear more of her story.

“With one more push of paddle against the river bank, the kayak slides off the ground and suddenly I’m suspended by water. It’s my favorite feeling, that first moment afloat. It’s freedom—from the ground, from the human world.”

The benefit of a high-visibility kayak paddle is just what the name implies—it helps make you, the kayaker, highly visible to others. Accidents on the water aren’t common, but they do happen. The best way to avoid being hit by a bigger, faster boat is to be easily seen.

Many of the Story Contest submissions we received from our readers were sharing their paddling adventures. Here are a couple of them…

There are some pretty alarming statistics about the rise of mental and emotional health problems among teens and young people today, especially young women…One of the ways we can help these young women is to offer more positive influences in their lives—like outdoor adventure.

One of the best investments you can make to protect your kayak fishing paddles is a quality paddle bag to keep them in.

Bending Branches Regional Ambassador, Kyle Hines, took up kayak camping in 2017 and found it’s something he loves to do. We got him on the phone recently so we could pick his brain for suggestions and tips for others who want to get into this adventure sport, too:

Kayak Bass Fishing’s Chad Hoover covers how to load your fishing kayak on your vehicle in this video, with the help of his wife, Kristie.

With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, we wanted to give you 14 of our top gift picks for all the paddlers on your list! Whether your friends and loved ones canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board, you’ll find some great ideas here…

Even the toughest paddles in the industry appreciate a little love. Here at Bending Branches, we know our paddles perform best when they receive the proper care. Here are a few tricks to keeping your paddle in tip-top condition for years of paddling adventures

It seems to be human nature to dream about canoeing or kayaking in far off, exotic places. Somehow we think it’s better than paddling the waters in our own backyard.

We’re dying to get out on the water after weeks of quarantine…but still want to practice safe social distancing. How do we do that?

Of all the great ways to get active outside in these times of social distancing, canoeing and kayaking are a couple of the best! Here’s why…

 

Here we bring you the final installment of Jason Eke’s video series on how to build your own wooden kayak…