Carving Drill

Carving is an important skill for a variety of reasons. It is how you make solid and efficient eddy turns and good ferries. It also unlocks the door to many cool play moves like surfing waves. So it is invaluable for whitewater kayakers to learn to carve instead of letting the boat spin out. 

How To Do the Carving Drill

First, you need to start kayaking and get some speed. Then you will establish turn momentum, put your kayak on edge, and use only forward strokes on the inside of your turn. Doing this keeps the kayak carving in a circle. 

It is only possible to take strokes on the inside of a turn and keep going in the same direction if you do two things. The first thing is to keep the boat balanced on the edge. You do this by balancing on one butt cheek and fine-tuning the tilt using the opposite knee. 

The second thing is to have the correct paddle position. Your paddle has to be vertical when you take a stroke. If the paddle shaft is more horizontal, it will kill your spin momentum. Because the paddle is vertical, you are not relying on it as a brace. It does not provide any balancing support, therefore, you have to rely on your own balance. 

How to Apply Power

Once you become comfortable with that carving drill in both directions (which is important), you need to add power. I was once told that whitewater kayaking is all about technique and not power. There is some truth to that because good technique will take you a long way in the sport, while power alone will take you less far. But, as in any sport, you need good technique, but for that to be useful, you need to be able to apply power. 

So how do you start applying power to the carving drill? Well, you need to get moving and carving again. The next step is to start pulling more aggressively on the paddle. With every stroke, you should thrust your hips forward. When you do this, you involve the whole body, which provides more power. 

Application of the Carving Drill

You might recognize this as the boof stroke. It is the stroke you take when you go off a waterfall and thrust your boat over the lip. When you are boof off a waterfall, you need to hold your boat on edge. The last stroke before you go off the waterfall should be vertical so that you keep your boat straight. Boofing is just one of many applications of this stroke. 

A more common application of the carving drill is in eddy turns. When you approach an eddy and want to cut into the main current, you need to paddle toward the eddy line with some speed. As you cross the eddy line, you should thrust the kayak across the line and into the main current to avoid getting spun. 

Pivot Turns

This drill is intended for kayaks with a slicey stern, so half-slice sterns or playboats. It does not work in a creek boat. 

So what are pivot turns? Pivot turns involve sinking one end of the kayak (usually the stern) under the water to make your kayak spin faster. Pivot turns are important to learn because they allow you to control your kayak's spin momentum. Whitewater kayaks are designed to turn, not to go straight, so you need to learn how to control the spinning momentum a whitewater kayak already has. 

Pivot turns also allow you to harness the power of buoyancy energy. Buoyancy energy is the energy your kayak has any time the end of it is underwater. The end of your kayak does not want to stay underwater instead, it wants to come to the surface. You can use this to your advantage. Pivot turns also teach you edge control. 

A Forward Sweep Pivot Turn

You can practice the pivot turn using a forward sweep and a backward sweep. To do a forward sweep turn, you should sink the stern of the kayak as you take a forward sweep. 

Once the stern has been sunk, it doesn’t want to be underwater so, before the stroke is finished you have to level off the kayak. If you don’t level it off in time, the stern will “hit the wall” and pop back off to the surface. 

If you do level the stern off in time, then it comes back to the surface in the direction you want it to come back in. This keeps your kayak spinning in full circle.

There are some useful things to note when doing a pivot turn. At the beginning of the stroke, you can be the most aggressive at throwing your stern downwards. As your stern goes further underwater, it has more and more buoyancy energy, so you start to lose power.

This is the point where you need to level your angle so that it is completely level by the time you finish your stroke. So you do not go directly from underwater to completely leveled in one go. Instead, you start as aggressively as possible and gradually level it off. 

How to Practice the Pivot Turn

You can practice pivot turns in a variety of different ways. Firstly, you can practice it with a forward sweep, making sure to get comfortable with it on both sides. After all, you won’t only have to edge in one direction. You can also practice it with a back sweep. This is known as a stern squirt. 

You could practice this on eddy lines, but it is better to practice on flat water. When doing pivot turns on flat water, you can see if and when you are doing something wrong. If you don’t level your boat off on time when on flat water, you will “hit the wall”, and lose all of the spin momentum you initiated. 

Backpaddling

Backpaddling is a simple skill that is very important for multiple reasons. 

1. It Develops Backpaddling Awareness

The more backpaddling practice you have, the more you develop your backpaddling awareness. The most likely time to panic is when you are turned backward while on a rapid. And the reason this can feel so scary is that most people have far more awareness when paddling forward than when facing backward. This awareness comes with practice and spending time going backward. 

The biggest jump in my whitewater skills came one summer when a buddy and I decided to spend the entire month doing our regular paddles backward. We ran every rapid backward, caught every wave backward, and did everything we would normally do forwards, but backward instead. We were beaten and battered a few times, but our whitewater skills had improved massively by the end of the month. 

I am not recommending that everyone should try this. But, there are less aggressive ways to practice backpaddling and develop your backpaddling awareness. For instance, when you get a nice eddy line, practice your eddy turns backward, practice your ferries backward, and if you are bold enough, you can even practice rapids backward. 

2. It Works The Front Deltoid Muscles

Backpaddling works the front deltoids. The deltoids are muscles in your chest that you don’t often use when forward paddling. Working these helps to balance the body out when you do a lot of forward paddling. 

Backpaddling Tips

When backpaddling, particularly with a slicey stern, it helps to keep your weight slightly forwards. If you tilt your kayak slightly into each backward stroke, it lifts your stern edges out of the water. 

These are the three drills that all whitewater paddlers should practice regularly and master. Doing these three things regularly will have a profound effect on your whitewater kayaking. 

The Pyranha Ripper 2

In this video I used the Pyranha Ripper 2 half slice whitewater kayak. This boat is a great river running kayak and is fun to play with as well on waves. Check out my review here: The Pyranha Ripper 2 Review: The Best All-Round Whitewater Kayak?

Kayak: Pyranha Ripper 2
PFDs/Life Jackets:  NRS Zen Whitewater Vest
Paddle:  Aqua Bound Shred
Shirt:  NRS Guide Short Sleeved Men’s Shirt
Paddling Shorts:  NRS Benny Board Shorts

The post Key Tips for Whitewater Kayakers appeared first on Hazeadventure.

The Bridge Walk

The first thing is the Bridge Walk. Now, I’ve been visiting the Fayetteville, West Virginia, area for many years. But something that I just did recently for the very first time was the Bridge Walk. 

The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the tallest and biggest arch bridges in North America. And although I’m a little scared of heights, my son and I, Tucker, had the opportunity to do the Bridge Walk on our last trip to the park. 

Let me tell you, the walk was a crazy experience. It was super fun and a little intimidating. But I’m not going to give away more information because I think a lot of it is the element of surprise. 

Just being suspended and walking on a plank below the bridge is something that’s really unique. The Bridge Walk gives you a different perspective of the New River Gorge. And it’s just super cool to learn more about the bridge itself. 

If you do plan to do the walk, then there are two different tours that you can do. There’s the informative tour or the less informative tour where you simply just walk across under the bridge.

For us, we did an informative tour. And we learned a lot about the history, the structure, and the surrounding area of the New River Gorge. When it comes to the walk, there are height restrictions—so be sure to check out the rules and regulations before you take your family there.

Hiking

There are so many cool hikes to do in the area. And one of my favorites is the Endless Wall Trail, where you can go all the way to the Diamond Point Outlook. That trail is really cool because it gives you a beautiful view of the New River Gorge and the dramatic cliff walls.

If you’re a climber, those walls are well-known in the climbing community. But as a family, we just like to hike the trail because it’s really fun and it’s not too long. It’s about two miles out to the point and two miles back. So it’s a great distance if you have littles that you want to take along on the hike. 

Another of my favorite hikes in the area is Long Point. It’s another great family-distance hike, and it has beautiful views of the New River Gorge. It’s a great place to get out, explore, and get in some physical activity with your family. 

But even if you don’t make it out to the point, just being out there in the woods surrounded by the greenery is a fantastic experience that I highly recommend.

The Town of Fayetteville, West Virginia

Something I love to do when we’re visiting the New River Gorge National Park is actually spending time in the small town of Fayetteville, West Virginia itself. It’s actually self-proclaimed as one of the coolest little towns in North America—and I would have to agree.

It really does have small-town vibes. And although it’s very little, it has really good food and some great shops. There are even gear shops if you’re needing equipment for any outdoor activities. 

In the town, two of my favorite restaurants are Pies and Pines and the Cathedral. So we usually do breakfast at the Cathedral and dinner at Pies and Pines. If you like artisan pizza—ones with unique toppings—you cannot miss that dinner destination. And to be honest, I’d drive all the way up to Fayetteville just for Pies and Pines pizza. 

Kayaking

For those of you that aren’t whitewater kayakers, there are also flat-water kayaking opportunities, as well as recreational boating in the National Park.

If you like or are interested in white water rafting or riverboarding, for example, you should definitely check it out. The waters in the area are actually world-famous and are well-known whitewater rivers. For us, as kayakers, it’s a top destination. 

Paddling down the river is such a great adrenaline rush, and obviously, some seasons will be better than others. So if you’re planning on getting out on the river, spring and summer are two great options.

Sometimes the water can be higher and lower, and different water levels can mean different levels of intensity. The rivers can change drastically depending on the water levels. So depending on where you’re at with paddling, there are definitely a lot of options for everyone. 

The great thing about the New River Gorge is there are so many companies that can take you out rafting. They have a lot of information that they can provide. And they can help you feel comfortable while paddling, depending on your level. 

Hang Out at the Creek

One final tip—if you’re coming to the New River Gorge National Park, is to hang out at the creek down at Fayette Stations. When we’re at the creek, we like to play with little foam boats, and the kids end up having a really fun time.

If you don’t have toy boats, then play with sticks, look for crayfish, or throw rocks. The creek is extremely beautiful, and it has a great view of the New River Bridge and the New River Gorge. 

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Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel, Great Family Adventure, and keep an eye out for more awesome videos we’ll be publishing shortly.

If you enjoyed this article and are hungry for more family adventure tips, tricks, reviews, and adventures, head on over to the Great Family Adventure YouTube channel and feel free to sign up for our Hazeadventure.com newsletter.

Clothing: Cotopaxi Fuego Down Kids’ Jacket, Cotopaxi Teca Cálido Reversible Kids’ Jacket, Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket, Cotopaxi Trico Hybrid Women’s Jacket, Do Good Kids’ Trucker Hat
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Best Family Activities in the New River Gorge! appeared first on Hazeadventure.

For those of you less familiar with whitewater kayaks, there are essentially 3 main categories: those meant for play boating (freestyle), river running, and creek boating. The Rockstar V falls into the first category.

Now, I usually take a couple of hours to get acquainted with my test subjects, but in this case I spent 2 days messing around with the Rockstar V. I started with a river run, and then I looped, cartwheeled, and surfed away the following afternoon. So yeah…I enjoyed myself. Now let’s unpack the reasons why. 

About the Jackson Kayak Rockstar V – Large Version

Price: $1,599 (USD)

Length: 5’ 11”

Width: 27.5”

Volume: 69 GAL (262 L)

Weight: 34 LBS (16 KG)

Range: 180 LBS – 240 LBS

Primary Use: Whitewater (Freestyle)

Double rails for carving

The Jackson Rockstar V has double rails for carving. It also has a flat hull, for spinning. Inside you’ll find the Jackson Kayak Bee’s Knees Thigh Hook System, Sure-Lock Backband System, Sweet Cheeks Seat System, and Foam Footblock System. The bow has an integrated Go-Pro mount, which made filming my paddle test a lot more interesting. And one last thing to note, the Rockstar V has a small, medium, and large version, covering a capacity range of 100 to 240 pounds. I tested the large. 

How heavy is a Jackson Kayak Rockstar V?

When talking about the Jackson Kayak Rockstar V, the weight will depend on whether you go with the small, medium, or large offering. Because I’m 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, I went with the large. It’s still tiny (in a good way), and weighs only 34 pounds. I could easily carry it around by myself, and was even able to fit the sub 6-foot boat in the back of my pickup truck, without even needing to pull the tailgate down. 

How does the Rockstar V kayak perform?

The Jackson Kayak Rockstar V is designed for freestyling in the whitewater. It’s great for surfing waves, playing around in holes, maneuvering on a dime, etc. The double rail system allows it to carve harder than any kayak I’ve ever experienced. All of this makes it a fantastic play boat! It’s even fun to mess around with on flat water.

And not only does it perform its intended duties to perfection, this kayak is also super user-friendly. I have no doubt that the Rockstar V will produce World Champions, but it will probably also help novice whitewater kayakers surf their first waves sooner than any other craft. I even took it on a river run, which is outside of  its purview (because play boats are quite short and slow), and yet I still had a good time, and felt that it was easy to operate. 

Is the Jackson Kayak Rockstar V comfortable?

One of the reasons I’ve dialed back my whitewater kayaking is because of general discomfort. Since I’m a taller guy (6’ 2”), I found myself having to squeeze into small kayaks that could perform the way I wanted. Over the years I gradually made the shift to larger kayaks, in order to increase my comfort level, but at the cost of performance.

High performance and comfort

I was therefore thrilled to see that the Jackson Kayak Rockstar V brought together both high-performance and comfort. I finally had sufficient room for my knees and feet, though I would say that I’m at the max height/leg length for this kayak. If you’re tall and/or have big feet, be sure to get in there and feel it out before pulling the trigger. 

Bee's Knees, Sweet Cheeks and Sure-Lock Backbands

In terms of specific features, the trifecta of comfort was the Bee’s Knees Thigh Hook System, the Sweet Cheek Seat System, and the Sure-Lock Backband System. The first two were exceptional and the backband was solid. These systems did require a good deal of finagling to get them fitted for my preferences, but this was well worth it for when I hit the water. Top marks for comfort! 

Who is the Jackson Kayak Rockstar V for?

As I mentioned a bit earlier, the Rockstar V is for a wide range of whitewater paddlers – all the way from greenhorns to cream-of-the-crop experts. Any paddler who is looking to surf some waves/mess around in holes will get a welcomed boost of confidence from this kayak.

The thing to note is that play boating should be your primary focus. The Rockstar V does a passable job at river running, but it’s not specifically designed for that environment. Likewise, high-quality river runners won’t be able to compete with the Rockstar V when it comes to freestyling. 

Is the Jackson Kayak Rockstar V worth it?

$1,600 (USD) is certainly a lot of money, but that’s what high-performance whitewater kayaks go for these days. For what you get, this standard price point is worth it. If you’re interested in what the Rockstar V offers but don’t currently have that kind of spending money, then you may be able to find an older generation Rockstar kayak, or spot a second-hand sale in the off-season. 

The Jackson Kayak Rockstar V did exactly what it aims to do. I had so much fun that it felt like I was 15 years younger for the entire time I was in the cockpit. I will be flushing my sinuses out for the next week or so because of all the rolling I did, but that’s totally worth it for the two days of joy that this thing gave me.

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Take a free online safety course for canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddling (SUP), brought to you by the American Canoe Association and the U.S. Coast Guard: https://americancanoe.org/education/resource-library/paddlesports-online-course/

Other paddling gear I use and recommend

NOTE:  These are affiliate links where I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you, but it’s a great way to show your support. Thanks!

FOOTWEAR  

PADDLING SHIRTS / TOPS  

PFD’S – LIFE JACKETS

OTHER PADDLING GEAR  

SUNGLASSES

WileyX

The post Jackson Kayak Rockstar V Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Many people see whitewater kayaking on TV, or maybe watch some highlight reels on YouTube, and are impressed, but turned off from trying it themselves because it looks too extreme. Well, hurling yourself off a waterfall is sort of the “Everest” of whitewater kayaking, and yes, something best reserved for professional daredevils.

But, there is also the “day-hike” equivalent – something that is both safe and enjoyable. So let’s get into what’s great about whitewater kayaking and answer some common questions that beginners tend to have.

The Benefits of Whitewater Kayaking 

1. Sweet kayaking skills!

Learning to navigate whitewater conditions will give you a new set of tools that will translate into all other types of kayaking and paddling that you like to do. These abilities will also make you a more confident and safe paddler in a recreational kayak, SUP or sea kayak.

2. River dynamics and reading water

Another transferable development that will come from whitewater kayaking is an appreciation for the power of moving water – not just whitewater, but any strong current. This will further enhance your safety awareness when you are paddling on the ocean with strong currents.

3. You’ll have a lot of fun!

Not only will conquering the rapids make you a more proficient, more confident, and safer paddler, but you’re guaranteed to have a good time doing it. 

Top 5 Questions About Getting Into The Sport

1. Is whitewater kayaking for me?

I think that whitewater kayaking requires a person to be game for adventure, comfortable with water, and to be reasonably fit. It’s also important to understand and accept that there are some inherent risks, though this doesn’t mean that whitewater has to be dangerous.

To use biking as an analogy, recreational paddling is like cycling on a paved road, whereas whitewater kayaking is comparable to mountain biking. Anyone familiar with mountain biking knows that this term includes gentle trails, gnarly descents, and everything in between. What kind of route you choose is up to you. Where the analogy drops away is in regards to the potential consequences. If you wipe out while mountain biking, even on an easy trail, the hard ground might cause some injuries.

Whereas with whitewater kayaking, a spill usually just means getting soaked. Of course, to be fully transparent, anytime water is involved, and more-so with current and rougher conditions, drowning is a possibility. But this risk can be greatly mitigated by learning the ins and outs of the sport, and by practicing in easier settings. 

2. When to start whitewater kayaking

In terms of age, my daughter started when she was 9 years old. She then took the reins in her own kayak when she was 11. And then on the other end of the spectrum, I’ve taught people in their 70s how to run the rapids. As long as the rate of progress is appropriate to the physical capabilities of the paddler, then just about anyone who is excited for the challenge should be able to get out there. 

3. Is whitewater kayaking dangerous?

To continue on with this discussion, it’s important to understand that there is some level of risk with all sports. And anytime you head out into the wilderness, there will be extra dangers to consider. Thankfully, there are things within your control that can help mitigate the risks involved in whitewater kayaking. The most important thing is to get professional instruction!

Take a course in whitewater kayaking

I got started with a 5-day course that not only gave me the proper know-how, but also made me fall in love with whitewater kayaking. I actually ended up taking another course shortly after, and by that point, I had found an awesome community of like-minded paddlers to grow with. 

Stay within your comfort zone

Once you know what you’re doing, the level of risk depends on if you stay within your comfort zone, or decide to push your limits. Most whitewater paddlers that I know stick to lower classes of rapids, and largely do so in order to open up a massive world of routes/experiences that flat-water paddlers wouldn’t be able to access.

Get help reading and reacting to the different classes of whitewater

Some people encounter unexpected rough sections and decide to push through, without knowing the proper techniques. This can certainly be dangerous. So once again, getting professional instruction on how to deal with whitewater can be a huge asset for all paddlers, even if you don’t intend on vigorously pursuing the rapids. 

4. Can I get trapped in the kayak if I flip? 

It’s theoretically possible, but highly unlikely if you’re comfortably fitted into the kayak and have practiced the “wet exit” with supervision. Once you have dunked and then surfaced (which only takes about 2 seconds), you’ll see how easy it actually is. That being said, I can understand why people might be concerned about getting stuck.

A good whitewater kayak feels comfortably snug, there are hip pads and thigh hooks to keep you anchored (when you want to be), a supportive seat, and a skirt to cap it all off. But the skirt has a rip-cord, is still easy enough to pull off if you can’t find it in the moment (or if you tuck it inside by accident), and when you flip, gravity naturally wants your body to exit the boat.

If you’re newer to whitewater and are nervous about getting stuck, you can opt for a skirt that goes on easily (which also means it comes off easier), and outfit your kayak so that everything is a bit looser. A little wiggle room isn’t an issue, especially if it brings you more peace of mind. As your skills, confidence, and goals progress, then you can look at tighter/more aggressive customizations. 

5. Do you need to learn how to roll a kayak?

It depends on what your goals are. For example, if your aim is to be able to push through Class 1 and 2 rapids as part of a multi-day paddling trip, then no, you don’t need to learn how to roll a kayak.

But if you want to pursue more intensive and exciting whitewater kayaking, then yes, you absolutely need to learn this skill. In fact, next to wearing a life jacket and helmet, I consider a proficient roll to be one of your most important safety tools.

Learning to roll the kayak will save you a lot of hassle compared to if you have to swim out each time you flip. And nailing the roll will be a major boost to your confidence and overall enjoyment. I recommend popping in some good ear plugs (to prevent ear infections) and hammering out your kayak roll until you feel confident doing it anytime, anywhere. 

Take a course in whitewater kayaking!

As I mentioned before, I think the best way to get started is to take a whitewater kayaking course with quality, professional instructors. They will get you properly outfitted and steadily increase the challenges as your skills progress. Another cool option is to take some pool lessons. You’ll be able to hone the craft in a controlled environment.

Give whitewater rafting a try

And finally, if you just want a taste of the whitewater experience, you can sign up for a rafting tour. This will make for a fun, wet, and adrenaline-fuelled afternoon, without having to invest fully in the sport. 

Whitewater kayaking for beginners

So that’s my pitch for why you should give whitewater kayaking a shot. If you’ve been curious, but also a little trepidatious, then I hope this information sets your mind at ease, and gets you excited for your first attempt. Learning to thrive in the rough stuff really will make you a better paddler, and I think you’ll have a lot of fun too. Good luck out there, and until next time, check out more videos on PaddleTV to discover even more exciting paddling content. 

Big thanks to Jackson Kayaks for sponsoring my segments on whitewater kayaking. They continue to be a leader in the sport, making whitewater kayaks to get beginners started, as well as models to help elite paddlers push past apparent boundaries. I recently did a full review of the Antix 2.0 that you can check out here.

Take a free online safety course for canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddling (SUP), brought to you by the American Canoe Association and the U.S. Coast Guard: https://americancanoe.org/education/resource-library/paddlesports-online-course/

Other paddling gear I use and recommend

NOTE:  These are affiliate links where I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you, but it’s a great way to show your support. Thanks!     

FOOTWEAR  

PADDLING SHIRTS / TOPS  

PFD’S – LIFE JACKETS

OTHER PADDLING GEAR  

SUNGLASSES

WileyX

The post Whitewater Kayaking for Beginners – Why YOU Should Try It! appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Ontario’s Petawawa River is recognized as one of the top multi-day canoe trips in eastern North America. While canoes are a great way to navigate the river, we opted for a different approach.  We swapped the canoes for fishing kayaks, and we brought a raft with a center-mounted oar rig that could be rowed by a single person, while hauling an extraordinary amount of gear.  We chose to bring the fishing kayaks versus canoes, because the Petawawa River is not just a world class backcountry trip, but a world class musky fishery.

I’m not going to spoil the story before you get to watch the video.  What I can tell you is that the trip lived up to our high expectations.  The Petawawa is truly a world class backcountry river trip, and something that any experienced backcountry paddler should put on their bucket list.

If after watching the episode, you’re interested in doing a trip down the Petawawa, then check out our Petawawa Paddling Guide video releasing soon on PaddleTV. The Petawawa River Paddling Guide offers a lot of valuable information about what to expect, how to prepare, and a lot of other things you should know before heading out, so be sure to check it out! 

Check Out Paddle Tales

Paddle Tales follows World Champion kayaker, Ken Whiting, around North America as he explores the continent by sea kayak, whitewater kayak, canoe, and stand up paddleboard, while telling the stories of the unique people and places that he encounters.

Made in Partnership With:

Special thanks to:

Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Algonquin Provincial Park

The post A 5-Day Wilderness Camping Adventure in Algonquin Park | Part 1 appeared first on Hazeadventure.

For the first few years, we stuck to taking our raft down the river, as it allowed for a bit more flexibility with a toddler in tow.

Eventually, Chelsea was big enough to ride in the front of my Jackson Kayak Dynamic Duo – a two-person whitewater kayak. Although I had complete control over the kayak on those trips, it wasn’t long before she started helping me out, without even knowing she was doing it.  She would lean into the eddy turns without me asking her. She would lean her body the right way to help us carve when we were surfing waves.

It quickly became clear to me that even though I was doing most of the work those days, Chelsea was subconsciously learning how it should feel to paddle through whitewater.  I knew this was going to be a huge asset when it came time for her to paddle her own whitewater kayak.

Chelsea surfing her kayak on the Middle Channel of the Ottawa River.Well, that time came this summer.  Chelsea and a bunch of her girlfriends took a kids whitewater kayaking course with the great folks at Liquid Skills Kayak School. Next thing I know, Chelsea can roll her kayak, and she’s paddled the river in her own kayak.  Although I was sad that I wasn’t there to see it first hand, I couldn’t have been more excited to head out on our first paddling trip down the Ottawa River, with each of us in our own whitewater kayak.

Check Out Paddle Tales

Paddle Tales follows World Champion kayaker, Ken Whiting, around North America as he explores the continent by sea kayak, whitewater kayak, canoe, and stand up paddleboard, while telling the stories of the unique people and places that he encounters.

Made in Partnership With:

Special Thanks To:

The post Ottawa River Whitewater Kayaking: The Next Generation appeared first on Hazeadventure.