I learned the hard way that proper kayak storage isn't just about finding space - it's about protecting your investment. Last winter, my neighbor's $1,200 fishing kayak warped beyond repair because he stored it flat on his garage floor. Meanwhile, my 8-year-old Wilderness Systems is still going strong thanks to proper storage techniques I'm about […]

I'll never forget the day I completely soaked myself at the Lake Travis boat ramp. There I was, trying to impress my kayaking buddies with a "graceful" entry into my new touring kayak. Instead, I ended up doing an impromptu split between the dock and my kayak, landing face-first in the water. Everyone got a […]

Last summer, I watched my 68-year-old mom step onto a paddle board for the first time. Within 20 minutes, she was gliding across Lake Austin like she'd been doing it her whole life. That's the magic of stand up paddle boarding – it looks intimidating but is surprisingly accessible to almost anyone willing to give […]

I'll never forget the day my buddy's kayak turned into a submarine off the coast of Monterey Bay. We were paddling through some decent swells when a rogue wave caught him sideways. His cockpit filled instantly, and within seconds, his entire kayak was underwater – except it wasn't. The bow and stern stayed buoyant, keeping […]

I'll never forget the sickening crunch I heard on I-95 just outside Jacksonville. My buddy Mike's kayak had just become a $1,200 projectile, cartwheeling across three lanes of traffic at 70 mph. The cam buckle on his front strap had slipped, and within seconds, his brand-new Wilderness Systems Tsunami was scattered in pieces across the […]

The first time I flipped my kayak while fighting a 5-pound largemouth on Lake Travis, I learned three valuable lessons: always secure your tackle box, expensive sunglasses sink fast, and laughing at yourself beats crying every time. That was six years ago, and since then, I've logged thousands of hours fishing from kayaks across Texas, […]

Last spring on Lake Travis, I watched my fishing buddy miss a massive school of crappie that was sitting right under his kayak. His problem? His only fish finder was mounted at the stern while he was casting from the bow. That 12-foot gap between his transducer and fishing position meant he was essentially fishing […]

Last Saturday morning on Lake Travis, I watched a guy lose his entire morning catch - six beautiful largemouth bass - because he didn't know how to store fresh fish properly. By the time he got home, they'd been sitting in warm water for hours. What a waste. After 20+ years of kayak fishing from […]

I'll never forget the morning I launched my kayak into Lake Superior near Munising. The water was so clear I could see 30 feet down to the rocky bottom, and ahead of me, the Pictured Rocks cliffs rose like ancient castles from the water. That day changed everything - what started as a casual paddle […]

I learned the hard way that choosing between a wetsuit and drysuit isn't just about staying warm – it's about staying alive. After dunking myself in 45°F water wearing nothing but board shorts (yeah, not my brightest moment), I became obsessed with cold water gear. Now, after testing dozens of suits in everything from Florida […]