Hey! Are you new to boating? Do you have thoughts on the permit system?

I’m a freelance journalist (& graduate student) working on a story about the paddling boom and how it has changed river use. I’m looking to speak with people who are just getting into paddling and willing to share their experiences, especially if you are interested in floating Oregon's Rogue River. I’d also love to talk to people who have shifted their paddling habits due to a lack of permits.

Please comment or message me if you are willing to chat. Thanks so much & happy paddling!

How do you deal with oversized drysuit booties when they are, say, size 12 and your foot is a size 10? Do you scrunch them up at the toe? Fold the middle of the bootie over on itself to shorten it? Pull the heel of the bootie up towards your ankle? Curious minds want to know! Well, mine does at least.

I’ve been kayaking mostly class 2 rivers that have an occasional class 3 feature in my XP9. But to take another ww course, I need another boat. I’ve been searching for a Remix 59 & finally found one. I almost feel bulletproof (not really) in my XP9 even though I’m on the low end of the weight recs. She takes care of me. I won’t have any place to try out the Remix 59 before I make the purchase. I’ll be taking it down to a big lake to get the feel of it as soon as I can. My question is: they both have displacement hulls, so how much different will my first day in it be? I love the secondary stability of my XP9 and the hulls look similar though the XP9 hull seems a bit more rounded. Is the Remix 59 really that tippy if I have good balance and a brace. I’ll be alone so not excited about having to take a swim this time of year. I don’t have a solid roll. 😞 It may sound like a weird question, but my inquiring mind demands as much information as possible. Thanks, y’all.

Looking to get a new throw rope/bag for whitewater kayaking (not guiding). Mine was 50’ and likely want to go to 70’ I think but reasonably compact. NRS Compact Rescue Throw Bag or other recommendations?

PFD, skirt, drysuit, neoprenes, helmet…they all STINK!! I usually wash and hang dry them at the end of our local season, but the minute they get wet and dry out again, they stink. Tips? Thanks.

Sincerely, The Guy with Smelly Gear #getoutofthevan

Long time commercial guide and finally bought my own raft (SB-120 from RMR) and want to take some friends down river (West coast USA). Many of my friends don’t have their own gear tho, so I’d like to buy a bundle of PFDs and paddles to supply my pals while they’re on my boat. Any recommendations on type III PFD bundle packs that are both safe and affordable? Don’t need bells and whistles, but I obviously need em to be sturdy enough for whitewater. From looking online I find it hard to gauge the material quality of different PFD bundle packs, so would love any insight on what’s good and what to avoid.

Obviously my truck takes more gas then my Toyota Corolla but did anyone experiment if it takes them more gas with a truck shuttle or a small car with a rack full of kayaks.

Hi everyone. I’m having trouble getting any kind of information for a trip to Europe later this year. The Google algorithm sucks and I’m only getting marketing without the essential info.

#WHAT

Rafting, not kayaking or canoeing — apologies if I am asking in the wrong community, I am a novice at river sports and I know it, I’m not trying to put myself into a dangerous position, only trying to experience and appreciate nature from a different perspective. Thinking one of those rafts with like 8 people and a guide. I am fit, but don’t paddle.

#CONCERN

It seems like water level and water flow is a major factor on Soca River and Noce River for a lot of people. When searching around the internet, sometimes people refer to the good season as being a month long, sometimes half a year. I’m expecting to be in the area during tourist shoulder season, early to mid October.

#QUESTION

Will the water level and water flow be enough that it will be physically possible to go rafting, and if so, will it be an enjoyable experience at that time? I am looking at both Soca and Noce rivers, but the timing for me would be early to mid October.

Thanks in advance.

Hello, I'm interested in buying a drone to be used for filming kayaking trips etc. Does anyone have recommendations on good models or things to consider for this purpose? Any help is appreciated, thank you!

When the Rewind came out it was advertised as an “instant classic, serving as the ultimate downriver playboat for paddlers of all abilities.” Does the Rewind live up to its expectations? I have read comments about it being dated and it seems like there isn’t as much excitement about it anymore.

I currently own a Mamba and RPM and am due for an upgrade. I’m looking at getting a new half slice and can find a medium 2023 rewind at my local shop for $1250 after taxes and local pickup - specs seem to mesh with my body well too. Boats in the same category will cost > $1800 after shipping and taxes. But… I don’t want to buy a dated boat.

It’s not an easy choice! There are too many good boats to choose from right now. But… if the Rewind lives up to its expectations - it’s an easy choice due to cost.

I recently found this Dagger Vortex (10.5ft) and would just like some thoughts on if it was worth it. I don’t have much experience whitewater kayaking but have a good friend who does it and said to have a look.

I checked it out today and it seemed to be in pretty decent condition. No damage other then normal ware and was only used a few times.

Obviously it’s in used condition.

Apparently it’s from the late 90s - early 00s

Anyone have beta on whitewater within a couple of hours of Fairbanks? Seems like limited information on the AW site.

I’m looking to take a rafting safety course this year somewhere in Oregon or Washington (I’m based in Portland). I’m a total beginner and would like to learn the basics of rowing and safety and what to do if I end up in the water. Any recommendations?

Hello all! I was hoping to get some advice on boat selection if possible.

I paddle a medium Dagger Code as well as a medium Jackson Antix 2.0. I'm 5ft 5 and due to health reasons I have had to lose weight. I've gone from 72Kg (159lbs) to 60kg (132lbs), losing 12 kg. When I was heavier I was still on the lighter side for the Dagger Code and found it to be very forgiving but a bit too cumbersome for my size. Now I'm even lighter it's difficult to keep the boat pointing the way I want it too.

I've been paddling consistenly for about a year and a half now, and improved my river running mainly up to grade 4. Paddling lots of rivers in the UK, including the Dart, Leven and Etive to name a few. Considering my height and weight, I was wondering if anyone has any real world experience with smaller Creek boats and what would you recommend?

Any ideas are welcomed.

Cannonball!!!!!

Hi all! Crazy stuff going on in soca valley, the season has officially opened with a surprise, usually you're required to pay a ticket of 3 euros/day or 30€/year for all the section, but from 2024 they divided the river in 3 sectors, so you need to buy 3 tickets, the most interesting part is now 10€\day or 250€\year and on top of that the most beautiful part, soca katarakt is now forbidden for safety reason (!!!!) Please sign up the petition and make some noise! https://www.change.org/p/stop-soca-river-kayak-permit-crazy-new-prices

A buddy and I were talking about the new boats coming out this year from Pyranha and Dagger prototypes. And I remember seeing somethings from Waka popping up but he said he hasn't. But I feel like I've seen a freestyle/play boat(with a front handle mounted width wise), a full slice sort of boat (looks kind of like an Ozone or chopped up Steeze) and a kids boat(like a mini OG or Billy Goat) from Waka prototyping in the past year or so. Was I dreaming? Or is there anything to this?

I think it's mainly been like little snippets or videos but I can't find anymore. Some tell me I'm not going crazy!

This might be a silly question, I’ve never been white water rafting and am going to Futaleufu soon. My friends want to do the IV bridge to bridge course. I’m excited for it after watching a few vids (had no idea about water rafting before this) but am a bit scared of knocking out a tooth or something. I am aware of it likely being a fear built on nothing, but seeing all the comments on all these videos of people mentioning t bars being let go of and knocking out people’s teeth / injuring their faces has me a bit concerned 😂🥲

Would love to know if mouthguards are a reasonable device to wear, esp as if it’s a long course maybe it’ll stop me from clenching… and potentially protect teeth from a stray t bar

Thinking about sending it on fall city float route on a kayak tomorrow, anyone done the river this time of year. Begginer kayaker, thoughts I’ll make it out alive ?

Anyone driven down to the clay hills boat ramp on the San Juan recently? Looking for any recent intel…

The crew is considering some raft support for our packraft trip starting this weekend. (Packrafts will exit upstream, but oars would need to continue to the clay hills boat ramp) We’ve got a capable 4x4 truck and trailer, but TL is concerned the road will be a mess and not worth the hassle.

Any thoughts?

Looking to pull the trigger a small raft or paddlecat that could be R1/R2ed and additionally could have a small frame made to row solo.

Prioritizing something durable (i’m luckily in a buy well cry once pricing position), and can be rolled small to be able to easily stow in my car or truck camper. The boat would be for “let’s just go” day runs when up in NorCal or in Idaho, or cross country adventures that don’t have a particular rafting destination planned. (Or possibly to bring on a multiday trips as a stowable play boat if that’s not piling to many things on) Under ~60lb for this raft is a must.

Looking at:

— Airtight Rocker/Big Rocker Shedder

— Hyside Battlecat

— Hyside Mini-Me

— Aire Cub

Each day i’m sold on a different option, so hit me with your thoughts please to add to my decision making soup.

Open to other boats not listed here but again nothing bigger (have access to those sorts thru friends already) nor heavier than ~61 pounds please. (The weight of the Cub)

Thanks!

Im just getting into whitewater kayaking and im looking for advice on what is best to wear. I have a multi-day trip coming up in early june on the main Salmon River in Idaho (if the flows are right). Ill be using a dagger katana 10.4 and with the class III+ potential rapids im sure ill need to do a few rolls or possibly wet exit at some point. With the water likely being cold im wondering what clothing would be best suited to those conditions?

I probably cant afford a full on dry suit right now. Trying to find something cost effective that will keep me warm but still be comfortable. Would wearing a 2 piece wetsuit and a splash jacket work? Or would i need something more waterproof so that im not freezing the rest of the day after one swim.

Appreciate any advice!

What would your absolute dream shuttle rig be, money, market, availability be damned?

I think mine would be a Toyota Sienna, with a 4 inch lift, 4WD, manual, plug-in hybrid with like a 20 gallon tank for when the battery range dies, TVs inside with all the Substantial / Demshitz / Etc videos on repeat for the homies, big ol bolted on racks on the roof, a winch, and flames on it. Comfortably seats 7, with plenty of room in the hatch for gear and paddles down the middle (sorry for that one homie sitting in the back row).

You?

Edit: Could only get the AI to give me flatwater boats with "whitewater" as text on the side so, this is the best I've got.

https://preview.redd.it/pdxknc2wufoc1.png?width=1792&format=png&auto=webp&s=34a5e9898030e9f8276c88342819b7329967e2c8

I have an old Palm drysuit in need of a zipper replacement and am hoping for some insight as to whether or not this would be possible/ worth while to attempt on my own. It has the old metal tooth style zipper and the teeth are separating, making it near impossible to zip either direction.

Originally, IR said they could swap it to a plastic YKK zipper for $150 but upon dropoff said it is not worth the hassle and refused the repair. At this point the suit is a paperweight and I figure it is worth throwing some time/money into for a backup suit.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance

I know this sub is mainly for solo rides and pros, so definitely grateful for anyone who takes the time to respond.

Planning to take five friends in 2025 with beginner to moderate level of experience rafting in the lower 48. Not a bachelor party, so being outdoors and slaying some rapids are definitely the main focus of the trip. All of us are dudes in our mid 30’s, decent to great shape.

Looking for 2-4 day trips that won’t break the bank (so middle fork and GC are out). Would be looking for a guided trip. Any great recommendations?

Right now I have on the list as potential spots Westwater Tuolumne Rogue River Cataract Canyon

Thanks!