Education Corner
December 2017
"6 Reasons to go GPS"
"First, people used the stars to stay on course. Then, maps and charts. Now we look back to the heavens to help us navigate, only this time, we use satellites. Today’s GPS devices offer more functionality for paddlers than ever. Leave the map and compass in your hatch and start taking advantage of these six things GPS does better..."
Complete story: Adventure Kayak
"6 Tips for Overcoming Fear while Kayaking"
"For this video I want to talk about six things that I like to try to do, in order to deal with and overcome fear when it comes to paddling situations that might be outside of my comfort zone..."
Complete story: Paddling.com
"How To Repair A Kayak"
"One of the considerations for deciding which type of material you want your kayak to be made from should be the extent of damage you might suffer and the subsequent ease of repair - particularly structural damage that critically compromises the integrity of the craft. Depending upon the extent of use you plan to give your kayak, repair concerns may be as easy as a field fix of simply slapping on a strip of duct tape or a dab of marine putty and continuing on for the day..."
Complete story: Paddling.com
"Skills: When To Tie In Gear"
"To tie or not tie—that is the question. When, why and how to tie your gear into your canoe is a hotly debated topic amongst paddlers. The truth is, your skills, the nature of your route, your support team and whether or not you have a covered canoe should determine your decision to tie in your packs..."
Complete story: Canoeroots
"Like A Glove: How To Perfectly Fit A Kayak"
"When it comes to sizing a kayak, I pay attention. Ensuring a paddler falls inside the manufacturer’s weight recommendations simply isn’t enough. After outfitting hundreds of kayak school students and 10 years of testing boats for Rapid, here is what I've learned you really need to know..."
Complete story: RapidMedia
"Five Common Mistakes When Buying SUP Gear"
"Don't get stuck with a lackluster product. Use these tips to buy your SUP gear..."
Complete story: Adventure Kayak
"Skill: Go Ultra-Light On Your Next Canoe Trip"
"Going ultralight on your next canoe trip doesn't have to break the bank and it will definitely save your back. Is that two-kilometer portage into you favorite lake tougher every year? Do you struggle to pack up your mess and break camp by the crack of noon? The affliction is common, and the solution simple: lighten your load. Dump the stuff you don’t need and find the lightest reliable gear...."
Complete story: Canoeroots Magazine
"Tips for Cold Weather Paddling"
"Paddling in the in the fall, in the winter, in the spring is absolutely amazing. Especially in the winter – it is stunning, but a lot of times paddlers don't realize the dangers of cold water. I've often heard kayakers say “hey, I have a very stable boat, there's no way I'm going in the water, I haven't tipped yet.” But the truth is you will capsize. You will capsize at some point, so you need to be ready..."
Complete story: Paddling.com
"Moving Forward: Why The Most Important Solo Whitewater Canoeing Stroke Is Dead"
"We no longer paddle small tandem boats, but solo ones—a very different craft that cannot be paddled in the same way as when sitting on the bow seat facing the stern. As solo canoes have gotten smaller, new techniques have emerged to paddle these new boats...."
Complete story: Canoeroots
"Why All Paddlers Feel Like Impostors"
"Successful individuals unable to consciously assimilate their accomplishments, live in constant fear of being found out as a fraud. This condition is so common that as far back as 1978 clinical psychologists describe these over-achieving employees as suffering from “impostor syndrome..."
Complete story: Canoeroots