Every year Astral makes limited edition, artistically decorated runs of their popular PFDs. This season Astral released their first “LE” of the women’s specific PFD, the Layla. What I like...

The short winter days are gone, its starting to rain, and snow is melting. Spring is here! This past weekend folks from all corners of the paddling world gathered at...

I spend a lot of my time recreating and working on the river. I have been on trips with people that have more experience than I may ever gain and...

The river can be a busy place with lots of moving parts, users, and ideas. A common understanding of river etiquette for all types of rafts can make or break...

This week our journey through the paddle sports world in the COVID era has brought to raft training and education. I chatted with international training guru Mark Hirst about what...

A lot of boaters show up to put ins with all sorts of gadgets and gizmos in their PFDs for "safety". But what are they for? Do they know how...

There are many different factors to determine if a rafting trip will be hard or not. Various factors make rafting the Grand Canyon hard such as river hazards, cost, rapids,...

Beyond basic water reading, paddlers must be able to recognize river hazards. These features add consequence but are an inescapable part of running rivers. That being said, the best way...

River water does not flow in a straight line but must meander, fall, swirl, and collect according to its environment. We call these movements currents. As whitewater boaters, we must...

Whitewater rafting is one of the more exhilarating family outdoor activities and requires some planning to bring the right gear for your trip. Preparing well will set you and your...