Beginners Guide to Whitewater Kayaking Gear

[@justintaylor375]

I think a throw bag is a must-have even for new paddlers

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for the thoughts Justin. We are in agreement. Once new paddlers have been trained on safe use and are aware of the safety implications, they should be carrying a throwbag.

[@apexclanosrs6379]

bro this information was unbelievable helpful. with all the crap on the internet today the message in this video was clear, correct, and concise. Thanks !!! time to get frothy

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for the kind words and great comment.

[@dewmontain123]

This was really well done. It explained everything for a beginner

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for the kind words. Super glad it was helpful.

[@Blake_Cowan]

A moto that my friends and I use when we are paddling play boats is “full send or no send” saying that before a rapid can really boost you up

[@rullywk9746]

Thks so much for the information 🙏🙏🙏 salam hangat dari Indonesia 🙏🙏

[@AQOutdoors]

You are most welcome.

[@Noxis009]

Thank you so much for relay helpful video

[@AQOutdoors]

our pleasure! if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us.

[@jimnight3598]

Great job!

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks Ted

[@smilecalm]

enjoyed this informative, well produced video!

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for the feedback. Stoked you enjoyed it.

[@adriano8729]

Brilliant informative video thank you!

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks so much for the kind words. We are stoked the video was helpful!

[@solonutiket564]

I think the first aid kit should have been closer to beginning paddling

[@AQOutdoors]

A good observation for sure.

[@madelinetorye9967]

I slightly disagree with his order of importance. But overall very informative

[@rvrkayaker]

Thanks.....great job on the video!

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks so much for the kind words. Let us know if there are any topics you would like to see us make videos on in the future!

[@gregorygo]

Fantastic video! Thank you. Do you know what was the song that you used for the 'Luxury Goods' section?

[@AQOutdoors]

N64kidg thanks for the kind words. Sorry I don't know the song

[@andreas956]

Bungee style skirt for me then. I prefer being able to easily put it on and off. Who cares that it let's in a little more water.

[@noahgreen1366]

Throwbag should be considered Essential!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@islandboypopo]

Eyebrows on fleek

[@oldford71]

I might just have to make the trip to Calgary and get a full outfit from you guys

[@h-m4869]

awesome video, exactly what I needed !!! what helmet do you recommend the most?

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks so much for checking out the video and for the comment.

[@bryais]

he never answered :'(

[@AQOutdoors]

Hi Carlos. That is a great question. For great protection for a mid price range it is hard to look past WRSI current or current pro. If you want the best of the best, the Sweet Protection rocker is pretty much the gold standard (imho). Lots of other great brands and options though

[@AQOutdoors]

@@bryais sorry.. missed that question. Juat posted an answer.

[@golferriley2328]

pranas are probable the best kayaks

[@adventure.guy_cjb]

I wanna ask sumn...but how to go back to your startin point after ya went all the way down river

[@AQOutdoors]

A good question. A vehicle or bike dropped at the take out first or having someone to drive for you is even easier..

[@the-guardian-1970]

great video thanks :)

[@AQOutdoors]

thanks so much for the kind words. stoked you enjoyed it

[@peterlyday8845]

what river runner is best for intermediate/beginner paddlers that want to grow and become better in the sport?

[@AQOutdoors]

+Peter Lyday hi Peter. Thanks for checking in. The answer to this question depends on a bunch of variables. However, as simply as possible... from the dagger lineup, if you are looking to run Class II/III whitewater and want a sporty fun boat that plays, surfs, stern squirts and is fast.. the axiom series is amazing. As a beginner the sharp stern edges can be a bit intimidating but with a good progression and instruction instability will be short lived. If you are looking for something with a bit more volume and stability the Mamba series is tough to beat. The Mamba can also be used as creek boat if (as you progress) you want to start running steeper whitewater. We would love to chat in more detail if you wanna give us a shout sometime.

[@alexbunn1905]

Great video but I thought I'd just say that I've seen a few videos like this and they have all said that playboats are for intermediate or higher level paddlers yet when I first started paddling my first boat was a playboat and I could use it fine and although they may be harder to roll now I've got to that stage but that doesn't mean that the boat is only suitable for intermediate or higher paddlers because when I started I used my playboat for everything I could including flat water paddles upto whitewater sessions. So I'd say to anyone thinking about getting a boat it doesn't matter you're skill level it how you use the boat and what type of water you want to paddle when the skill comes in to it

[@simoncoward34]

Hi Alex. Thanks for the kind words and for your insight. In our neck of the woods (western canada) we tend to start beginners out in river runners or smaller creek boats for a few reasons. Firstly most people here tend to be drawn to river running due to the low volume nature of the rivers. So, we want to get people started out in the boats they are going to paddle moving forwards. There is also the benefit of learning how to carve a kayak when you start in a longer boat. We have found that by starting people out in the longer boats and teaching them carving moves (eddy turns, s turns etc) That their river running progression is much faster. On the flip side of that I know instructors on the Ottawa and they start students out in playboats as that is what they will paddle moving forward. So, you can certainly start out in a playboat as a beginner. Newer paddles will just start to shape their paddling early on based on the boat they are in. It really depends on the local waterways and what paddlers want to get out of it. Cheers for the comment. Glad you enjoyed the video. Lots more to come into the future.

[@alexbunn1905]

+Simon Coward yeah I totally understand. I come from Norfolk England and although there isn't many whitewater places close I find it really fun doing flat water and what I can but I totally understand that on faster water it is easier for beginners to start in longer boats

[@andyfarquhar3402]

Rope is a luxury?

[@AQOutdoors]

Not a luxury.. I guess not perfect terminology on our part. Not something a new paddler needs. Something to get as you advance and get good rescue skills. Thanks for commenting

[@moskic153]

PDF man i still hear from peopole why i need this i can swim ? yeah on whitewater

[@jamiereinke8622]

whats a good beginners kayak ?

[@AQOutdoors]

Hi Mike. What kind of kayaking are you looking at doing? Lake, multi-day flatwater trips, ocean, whitewater or slow moving rivers?

[@MrSupernova111]

How much is all this going to cost me?

[@AQOutdoors]

It really depends on how high end you go. If you buy everything new and get mod range stuff you are looking at somewhere I the $2200 - $2500 range. It depends a lot on if you live somewhere with the need for Coldwater gear. You can also often pick up used gear to supplement the new to start..

[@MrSupernova111]

AQ Outdoors - Aquabatics Calgary. Wow! Thanks for the reply.

[@Rockerrobin]

No boats in stock anywhere 😢

[@AQOutdoors]

So hard to find right now. Where are you located?

[@Rockerrobin]

@@AQOutdoors ponoka been to the Edmonton store last week guy wouldn't even take my money said I wouldn't get a boat for at least a year.

[@AQOutdoors]

@@Rockerrobin it is tough right now. What kind of boat are you looking for? Whitewater, recreational? We do have a boat swap and consignment sale online on April 24th. That could be a place to start? Would be happy to provide more info...

[@Rockerrobin]

@@AQOutdoors I currently have a elis 100nx (pelican clone from atmosphere. Want something more fun to take down the red deer and other class 3 rivers. Do lakes sometimes which my current boat does fine with was looking at crossover like the katana or even the stratos 12.5l which is a little more white water oriented. Edmonton guy keeps recommending the axis which I personally didn't like much. Markets so bad pyrahna aren't even sold in Canada stores anymore other than what's left in stock in small an medium. Im 185+lb 5"10 second in line for a used katana and someone offered a river runner setup for $750 but still haven't gotten a good picture of what it is the smaller boat they had was a dagger rpm so would assume the other boat which looks like a jackson is probably as old.

[@AQOutdoors]

@@Rockerrobin I think the boat swap would be a great thing to keep an eye on. We often have crossovers available in that event. Please email us at [e-mail] if you would to go on our email list to get updates. Alternately you can check in on Facebook as we will be providing regular updates on there.

[@SteepVisions]

paddle's not needed, just use your hands life jacket's not needed, don't swim helmet not needed, don't hit your head sprayskirt not needed, it's called OK1 kayak, well you could swim, but then is it kayaking?