Expert Advice: Learn Articles, Tips & How-To’s

Search our extensive collection of how-to articles and videos to help you safely raft, kayak, SUP, camp, fish and care for your NRS gear and apparel.

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Everything How To 102 Repair 53 Apparel 27 Rafting 87 Whitewater Kayaking 54 Kayak Touring 60 Stand-Up Paddling 50 Packrafting 5 Camping 15 Safety 82 Fishing 7 Fly Fishing 7 Yoga & Fitness 17 Rescue 19 Gear 61 Straps 5
1:55

How to Do the Kayak Sculling Brace

The sculling brace is an essential kayak technique that will help you advance in your paddling.

  • How To
  • Whitewater Kayaking
  • Kayak Touring
2:57

Kayaking Fundamentals: How to Do a High Brace

Expert kayaker Ken Whiting shows you how to execute the high brace in this second Kayaking Fundamentals video.

  • How To
  • Whitewater Kayaking
  • Kayak Touring
2:06

The Three Golden Rules of Kayaking

Watch as Ken Whiting shows you the golden rules of paddling, three key concepts that apply to every kind of kayaking.

  • Kayak Touring
4 MIN

Life Jackets Stop the Senseless Loss of Life

Boating and paddling safety isn’t optional. Dive into real accident stories and learn why wearing a life jacket and respecting cold-water hazards matters on rivers and lakes.”

  • Rafting
  • Whitewater Kayaking
  • Kayak Touring
  • Stand-Up Paddling
  • Safety
3 MIN

Whitewater & Touring Kayak Paddle Sizing Guides

Choosing the right paddle length or oar length is an important decision that may greatly enhance—or even extend—your time and happiness on the water.

  • Rafting
  • Whitewater Kayaking
  • Kayak Touring
4 MIN

Leave No Trace, Please

NRS is partnering with Leave No Trace for the month of May. Donate today and well match your contribution.

  • Rafting
  • Camping
5 MIN

Boaters and Dehydration

Body fluid loss can lead to serious consequences. How to recognize it and prevent it.

  • Rafting
  • Whitewater Kayaking
  • Kayak Touring
  • Safety
4 MIN

We’ve Come a Long, Long Way, Baby

There wasn't always such a great selection of life jackets to choose from.

  • Apparel
  • Safety
2 MIN

High-Water Wisdom

High-water brings more dangers to your boating. Learn tips to avoid them.

  • Rafting
  • Whitewater Kayaking
  • Safety
1:46

How to Inflate and Deflate Cataraft Tubes

Tips for inflating and deflating cat tubes and preventing damage to baffles.

  • How To
  • Gear
2 MIN

Quick Guide: Rubber Boat Repair Adhesives

This guide walks you through the essential adhesives and repair techniques specifically made for rubber and synthetic-rubber boats.

  • Repair
  • Rafting
2 MIN

Quick Guide: Urethane and PVC Boat Adhesives

Helping you choose the best glue for urethane and PVC boats.

  • Repair
  • Rafting
  • Stand-Up Paddling
1 MIN

Quick Guide: Temporary Field Boat Repairs

Learn how to make temporary boat repairs in the field by adding just a few pieces of equipment to your kit.

  • Repair
  • Rafting
  • Whitewater Kayaking
  • Kayak Touring
  • Stand-Up Paddling
5:09

How to Patch a Hypalon Boat

Video with step-by-step instructions for Hypalon repair.

  • How To
  • Repair
  • Gear
3:30

Drysuit Folding and Zipper Maintenance

Step-by-step instructions to neatly fold your drysuit, without putting pressure on the entry and relief zippers. We also offer tips for cleaning and lubing those drywear zippers.

  • How To
  • Apparel
  • Gear
9 MIN

Why Fish From a Kayak

Read about a few reasons why many people have chosen to embrace the sport of kayak fishing. Far from being a fad, kayak fishing is here to stay.

  • Fishing
2:00

How to Inflate Your Raft

Learning to properly inflate your raft will go a long way toward protecting its seams and the baffles between chambers from strain and damage.

  • How To
  • Rafting
2 MIN

How Neoprene Is Stitched

Learn about the various stitching methods on our neoprene products. Single-Needle Stitch, Flat-Lock, Blind-Stitch? Here we explain the differences.

  • Apparel
  • Gear
3:45

How to Maintain Your NRS Barrel Pump

The NRS 5" Barrel Pump is built to last, to get wet, and to get used. Watch this video from NRS Repairs on how to disassemble, clean, lube and maintain it.

  • How To
  • Repair
  • Gear
2:38

How to Tie the Figure 8 Knot

Demonstrating the tying of the versatile Figure 8 Knot.

  • How To
  • Safety
2:07

How to Tie a Taut-Line Hitch Knot

There are some knots every boater should know how to tie, and the Taut-Line Hitch is one of them. Watch this video to learn how it's done.

  • How To
  • Safety
8 MIN

Lend Me Your Ear: About Kayaker’s Ear

What you need to know about this serious boater health hazard.

  • Whitewater Kayaking
  • Kayak Touring
  • Safety
2:25

How to Remove a Knife from a PFD Lash Tab

Tips for safely removing a knife sheath from a life jacket (PFD) lash tab.

  • How To
  • Gear
0:41

How to Seal an NRS Dry Bag

Your dry bag protects your stuff. Watch this video to learn how to properly close and seal it to provide maximum protection for your gear.

  • How To
  • Gear
3:01

How to Fix a Pressure Relief Valve in a Raft or IK

Learn how to fix a pressure relief valve, which protects your raft or IK floor from over-inflation, with this video from our NRS Repairs department.

  • How To
  • Repair
  • Gear
3:23

Find and Fix Inflatable Boat Valve Leaks

Learn how to troubleshoot and fix leaks in the valves used in rafts, cataraft and SUPs. This video demonstrates with a Leafield C-7 Valve, but the same tips work for Halkey Roberts, Summit and military valves.

  • How To
  • Repair
  • Gear
6:02

How to Clean and Store Your Inflatable Boat

Step-by-step video instructions for cleaning and storing your inflatable.

  • How To
  • Repair
  • Rafting
  • Gear
5 MIN

How to Prevent Shoulder Injuries

Prevent kayak- and raft-related shoulder injuries with targeted rotator-cuff strength, proper paddling technique and a solid warm-up/cool-down routine.

  • How To
  • Safety
  • Yoga & Fitness
3 MIN

Kicking the Cooler Habit

Learn how Lacey Anderson can outfit a 10-person group for an eight-day trip that doesn't require refrigeration or costly coolers.

  • Rafting
  • Camping
4 MIN

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Whitewater SUP

In the image-obsessed world of action sports, whitewater SUP has reached its most awkward teenage years, complete with pimples and unknown potential.

  • Stand-Up Paddling
2 MIN

Is Your Life Jacket Safe?

Learn how to know with certainty that the life jacket or PFD you've purchased is safe and Coast Guard approved (and what that even means!).

  • Safety
  • Gear
1 MIN

NRS Terraprene Neoprene

What is Terraprene and why does NRS use it? Sure, it's warmer and lighterthan traditional neoprene. But the big deal is that Terraprene leaves the oil behind.

  • Apparel
  • Gear
3 MIN

Fabrics That Protect You From the Sun

UV radiation carries a significant health risk, but sun protective clothing uses modern fabrics (NRS H2Core) to keep you protected and on the water.

  • Apparel
  • Safety
7 MIN

How to Fit a Life Jacket (PFD)

Not sure if your life jacket fits? Learn how to size, adjust and test a PFD for a secure fit—plus tips for fitting kids safely.

  • How To
  • Safety
  • Gear
3 MIN

Know the Ropes

Learn about the important characteristics for ropes used in many boating applications, including the ability to float, its visibility and its strength.

  • Rafting
  • Safety
  • Rescue
4 MIN

West System G/flex Epoxy Adhesive

G/flex Epoxy is a resilient two-part epoxy that gives a superior waterproof bond to plastics, metals, fiberglass and more. Add some to your repair kit.

  • Repair
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