The first time I paddled through the Naples canals in Long Beach, I couldn't believe this slice of Italy existed just 20 miles from downtown LA. My rental kayak glided past million-dollar homes while moon jellies drifted beneath me like underwater ghosts. A gondolier serenaded his passengers under an arched bridge, and I thought - […]

The full moon hung like a silver dollar over Lake Travis as I pushed my kayak off the launch at 3 AM. My buddy Jake thought I was crazy - "Nobody catches bass under a full moon," he'd said. Four hours and 23 smallmouth later, including a personal best 5-pounder, I had the last laugh. […]

Last summer, I packed my trusty 12-foot touring kayak and spent three weeks exploring every paddleable waterway Arkansas had to offer. What I discovered completely changed my perspective on Southern paddling destinations. While everyone talks about the Buffalo River (and rightfully so), I found hidden gems tucked into the Ouachita Mountains and pristine lakes that […]

Last summer on the Trinity River in Texas, I watched my bowfishing buddy nail a 150-pound alligator gar from his kayak. The prehistoric beast rolled next to our boats, nearly swamping us both before he got it under control. That's when I realized bowfishing from a kayak isn't just fishing – it's pure adrenaline mixed […]

I never expected Nebraska to blow me away as a kayaking destination until I found myself gliding through the crystal-clear waters of the Niobrara River last summer. With over 79,000 miles of rivers and 10 designated water trails covering approximately 518 miles, the Cornhusker State has transformed from a "drive-through state" into my favorite Midwest […]

Last spring, I found myself standing in a canoe shop in Ely, Minnesota, completely overwhelmed. After 20 years of paddling everything from beat-up aluminum rentals to sleek carbon fiber racers, I thought choosing a new canoe would be easy. But staring at rows of boats made from materials I'd never even heard of – TuffStuff? […]

Last weekend on Lake Travis, I cranked my Sea Eagle Razorlite up to 5.8 mph according to my GPS – and yeah, I was showing off a bit to my buddy in his hardshell. But here's the thing: not all inflatable kayaks are created equal when it comes to speed and tracking. After paddling over […]

Last summer on Lake Travis, I made a rookie mistake. Forgot my bug spray and spent the entire sunset paddle slapping mosquitoes instead of enjoying the view. That night at camp? Let's just say the bugs threw a party, and I was the buffet. Never again. Since then, I've become obsessed with finding natural ways […]

Last summer on Lake Austin, I watched my buddy's brand-new aluminum paddle slip from his hands and disappear into the murky water like a submarine on a dive mission. Twenty minutes and one embarrassing swim later, we finally retrieved it from 15 feet down. That's when I realized not everyone knows the answer to what […]

Last summer, I flipped my kayak right at the Narrows Bridge launch – in front of about 20 other paddlers waiting their turn. Pride bruised but gear intact (thanks to my waterproof kayak storage), I laughed it off and got back in. That's the thing about Turkey Run kayaking – even the mishaps become part […]