About.com Paddling

How to Buy a Whitewater Helmet

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:01:07 +0000

In my last post I began a discussion regarding the advances in paddling gear design and the difficulty in knowing what type equipment to buy.� We first looked at kayak paddles.� In this post we'll take a look at whitewater helmets.� At this point you may be thinking, "how difficult could it be to buy a whitewater helmet?"��

While it is true that you can simply go to a paddling outfitter and buy any whitewater paddling helmet that fits you, wouldn't it be better to make an informed decision?� Paddling helmets actually offer a number of different features that you may want to consider before making your purchase.

Read How to Buy a� Whitewater Helmet for more details.

How to Buy a Whitewater Helmet originally appeared on About.com Paddling on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 08:01:07.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

How to Buy a Whitewater Kayak Helmet

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:46:54 +0000

Buying kayak gear seems like a straight forward endeavor.� While that may have been the case just 10 years ago, the advances in materials and gear design has made things a bit more complicated. Take kayak paddles for instance.� Kayak paddles have many different options that the untrained paddler would not generally notice.

Read How to Buy a Kayak Paddle for more details.

How to Buy a Whitewater Kayak Helmet originally appeared on About.com Paddling on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 07:46:54.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

American Whitewater Holiday Offer

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:39:52 +0000

In the last post I petitioned you all for what would make some great presents to give paddlers this holiday season.� The American Whitewater Holiday Offer�is one gift that will keep on giving all year long while helping to support a great organization.� When you join American Whitewater you will not only get their magazine throughout the year, you'll also receive a free copy of Doub Ammon's book, "Whitewater Philosophy."

American Whitewater Holiday Offer originally appeared on About.com Paddling on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 11:39:52.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Start Making Your Christmas Paddling List

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:29:51 +0000

Well, if most of the country can't paddle due to the weather, it doesn't mean you can't think about paddling and get some new gear.� "Black Friday" is right around the corner.� Whether or not you'll get any new gear that day, it should trigger your thinking for some Christmas presents to hit up your loved ones for.

Let's start up a list of great Christmas presents that paddlers can use.� What new gear or paddling paraphernalia will you get in this paddling offseason?

Start Making Your Christmas Paddling List originally appeared on About.com Paddling on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 11:29:51.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

What Sports Take the Place of Paddling for You in the Winter?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:05:47 +0000

Many of our readers live in places that make winter paddling near impossible. It's a tough situation to be in when you can't do the thing you love. But, paddlers of canoes and kayaks are resilient and rather versatile. One of the main reasons we do what we do is to be in the great outdoors and get a true breath of fresh air, so to speak. And that is why it is very rare to find a paddler who only, well...paddles. There are a lot of ways to enjoy God's earth, especially in the winter.

So the question is, what do you do for exercise and enjoyment in the winter?

What Sports Take the Place of Paddling for You in the Winter? originally appeared on About.com Paddling on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 16:05:47.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

November's Here! Paddling Goals for 2010

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:08:05 +0000

As each month begins I tend to write a post saying "where did 2009 go?�"� It really�does baffle me how time flies.� It seems�like just�yesterday we were entering 2009.� Remember when that new�president took office, well that was almost a year ago.�

This year is practically over and�2010 is on the horizon!�

Start thinking about the goals you want to set for next year.� Remember, as I've said in the past, you should set goals in �every aspect of your life that is important to you.� If you're reading this post then I assume that includes paddling.�

So, what do you want to accomplish next year that's related to paddling?�

Read: 5 Goals for Every Paddler

November's Here! Paddling Goals for 2010 originally appeared on About.com Paddling on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 11:08:05.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Happy Halloween! And Paddlers, Remember to Turn Your Clocks Back

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:00:24 +0000

Just curious, is anyone going to be a paddler for halloween tonight?

This is just a friendly reminder to turn your clocks back tonight.� If you forget you may just be waiting for your paddling meetup an hour early tomorrow.

Be safe out there, both tonight at the parties and tomorrow on the water!

Happy Halloween! And Paddlers, Remember to Turn Your Clocks Back originally appeared on About.com Paddling on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 07:00:24.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Paddling Halloween Weekend?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:54:41 +0000

I haven't heard of even one paddling event across this country of ours for Halloween.� This weekend would be perfect for a killer (no pun intended) Halloween paddling festival.� Halloween is actually on Saturday night, rather than on a weeknight, and everyone will get an extra hour of paddling in on Sunday.�

So who's up for starting a Halloween paddling event for 2010?� Events could feature best costume on the water, a midnight paddling excursion, and dunking for apples while in your kayak.

Let me know if you learn of anything and remember, you heard it here first!

Paddling Halloween Weekend? originally appeared on About.com Paddling on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 10:54:41.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Paddling Weather Across the Nation

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:26:49 +0000

What a wide range of paddling conditions across this country of ours.�� There's a snow storm in the Rockies, buckets of rain all over the South, wind and wet weather in the Midwest, damp conditions in the Northeast, and its sunny and in the 80s in South Florida.

I guess if I had my pick I'd stay right where I am, in sunny FL of course.� But the rain along the east coast should make some rivers pretty interesting.� For those of you near the Rockies, you must be thinking about skiing right about now.

Paddling Weather Across the Nation originally appeared on About.com Paddling on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 10:26:49.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Be Careful Out There

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:17:25 +0000

For those of you paddlers who brave the chilly temperatures and brisk breezes, remember, theirs more to prepare for than the cold air.� This is actually a really dangerous time to be paddling because the pleasant conditions and beautiful scenery can lull paddlers into a false sense of security.�

Many people during this time of year dress for water safety based on the air temperature but are not fully prepared should the worst happen, meaning they end up in the drink.� Of course wind breakers will keep the breeze off, but should you capsize they will only make things worse.� Consider wearing polypropylene and even neoprene as in wetsuits.�� Dry suits should also not be out of the question, but that is a decision you'll have to make.�

Above all else, be sure you are prepared both mentally and physically, in your knowledge and ability, to handle any circumstance you may come across in these beautiful yet risky paddling times.

Kayaking and Canoeing Safety: Swimming, First Aid, Drowning, and Hypothermia

Be Careful Out There originally appeared on About.com Paddling on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 at 10:17:25.

Permalink | Comment | Email this