Last summer, I found myself standing in the middle of a massive outdoor gear store, surrounded by what felt like hundreds of kayaks. My buddy Jake was with me, equally overwhelmed. "They all look the same to me," he muttered, running his hand along a sleek touring kayak. That's when I realized something - picking […]

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 - […]

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 […]

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 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 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 […]

I'll never forget my first real paddle stroke on Lake Austin three summers ago. My arms were shaking, my core was screaming, and I couldn't paddle straight to save my life. Fast forward to today, and I'm out on the water 3-4 times a week, feeling stronger and happier than I have in years. That […]

Last spring, I stared at my sun-faded Old Town Vapor 10, its once-vibrant red now looking like a washed-out salmon. That's when I decided to tackle painting my own kayak – and let me tell you, I learned more in those three days than any YouTube video could teach me. After transforming five kayaks since […]

Last weekend at Lake Travis, I watched a guy struggle to scrub algae off his neglected kayak hull for over an hour. His $2,000 composite kayak looked like it had aged 10 years in just one season. That's when another paddler rolled up with a gleaming boat that looked fresh off the showroom floor – […]