Paddling Guides, Gear Advice & How-To Articles

How to Make a Flip Line

Build your own flip line! Whether you're kayaking, rafting or canoeing, you'll find multiple uses for this easy-to-build webbing sling or guide belt.

Equipping Your PFD for Rescue

Experienced rescuers equip their life jackets with pulleys, prussics, crib sheets, carabineers and other essential items.

How to Choose a Whitewater Paddle

Selecting the perfect whitewater kayaking paddle is an important decision; knowing how to choose the proper blade shape will make paddling more fun.

How to Choose a Touring Paddle

Selecting the perfect sea kayaking or kayak touring paddle is an important decision; your paddle is your tool to transfer energy to the water.

How to Do a Preseason Raft Inspection

Better to find problems with your boat before hitting the river! Learn tips for inspecting your raft or cataraft to make sure it's ready for the season.

How to Install Kayak Hip Pads

Learn to properly install hip pads, an important part of the kayak outfitting that allows you to be one-with-your-boat for maximum control and ease of rolling.

How to Put on a Drysuit

We share a few tips for easily donning this most protective piece of cold-water boating apparel.

Boating Safety’s Five Golden Rules

No matter what kind of boating activity you participate in, these five golden rules will go a long way toward ensuring that your trips on the water end safely.

SUP Board Bracing Techniques

How you handle your paddle when you lose your balance on your SUP makes the difference between staying upright and going for a swim.

Using Yoga to Strengthen Your Hips for Kayaking

River runner and yoga instructor Andria Davis shows you some yoga techniques to help improve flexibility and strengthen your hips for paddling.

Balancing Game: Yoga Therapy

River runner and yoga teacher Andria Davis explores the mind-body connection and how it can help us recover from injuries.

Restorative Yoga for Boaters

Not all exercise routines make you more tired. You can reduce fatigue from paddling and the daily grind with these yoga techniques from Andria Davis.

Yoga for Boaters’ Back Pain

Use these yoga routines to strengthen your core, improve spinal flexibility, and reduce back pain from paddling. Learn safe poses tailored for boaters to ease discomfort and support your back before and after time on the water.

Yoga for Boaters’ Shoulder Pain

Don't let shoulder problems keep you from boating. With good technique and some guidance from Andria Davis, yoga can help you reduce pain and prevent injuries.

Yoga for Off-Season Paddling Fitness

Cold or dry times can be a bummer for paddlers. But as author Andria Davis reminds us, the off-season gives you an opportunity to rejuvenate your body and mind.

Get on Your SUP Board

This video shows the simple steps for getting on, standing comfortably and moving around on the your SUP board so you can get out there and start having fun.

How to Launch Your SUP Board in the Surf Zone

Surfing your board in ocean waves is great fun. This video gives you the basic pointers for paddling out through the incoming waves.

SUP Safety

Standup paddle boarding is really a very safe sport, but since you're out on the water, there are a few things you need to do to keep it that way.

The Kayaker’s Pledge: Improving Your Kayak Roll

NRS ambassador Devon Barker-Hicks shares one of her favorite tools for rolling better the "Kayaker's Pledge."

Gear Storage Ideas

Putting your boating gear away until next weekend, or next year, there are steps you should take to protect your investment.

How to Organize Straps

Keeping your NRS straps organized will save you a lot frustration.

How to Install SUP Fins

Installing the fins on your stand up paddleboard is quick and easy. Just follow these simple instructions.

Clean and Care for Your Inflatable SUP Board

Proper cleaning and maintenance will help prolong the life of your inflatable SUP board. Learn how to protect it from UV light and repair common valve problems.

How to Transport an Inflatable SUP Board

Follow these simple suggestions to ensure that your inflatable SUP board safely makes it where you're going.

How to Do the SUP Sweep Stroke

This video demonstrates proper paddle plant and body rotation to turn efficiently while keeping your balance and forward momentum while SUP sweep stroking.