When you work in the paddlesports industry spring represents not only good run off in rivers and lakes for awesome paddling, but also the season of paddlesports shows.  This is the time when retailers have their spring sales and get paddlers excited about new product and about the upcoming season.  Top paddling instructors give talks and seminars providing tips on kayaking technique and slide shows from their adventures.  This year Girls at Play attended both Canoecopia hosted by Rutabaga up…

With all the broken backs lately I thought I would make a post about running waterfalls, and doing it well.  Back when my focus was on running waterfalls the group I was paddling with rarely ever got hurt.  I attribute that to three things.  Better fundamental paddling skills, better ability to read the water, and better judgment. 

Obviously gravity determines that we will all make it to the bottom of the waterfall.  The question is, will we do it with consistent style, or…

The last week as been a hectic one I have to say. I set off from Montana in hopes of catching high water on the west coast for the third annual Northwest Huck Fest. Upon arriving in Hood River we found exactly what we were looking for: lots of water!

The Huck Fest…

Brendan Wells answers a few questions on paddling and himself.

Where are you from? Where do you live?

I was born and raised in the small town of Trout Lake, Washington and still live there today. 

How/Why did you start…

New, just-announced Dagger comfort and performance apparel is now available.

Get this Dagger-brand apparel by visiting your local Dagger kayaks retailer, or shop online at our store! Click a link below for more details on our different products.







Quality and comfortable shirts for days both on and off the river.

Available in 5 sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL, & XXL (while supplies last).



Click an image for…

The Upper Wind River Race is always a great way to kick off the whitewater racing season in the Northwest. This event is hosted by the Oregon Rafting Team …

6 questions with Team Dagger's Todd Wells on his life, kayaking, and plans for the future. 

Where are you from? Where do you live?

Trout Lake, WA. Trout Lake, WA

How/Why did you start kayaking?

Throughout my…

It's a question that most of us kayakers ask ourselves all too often. It's what draws us to the sport. Through challenge we grow, learn and find presence.

What many of us don't realize is that challenge can be more than just a life refresher. It can be medicine...therapy. At least that's the feedback we've had at First Descents. Through legitimate outdoor challenges, our participants defy cancer, understand it,…

Mexico has gotten a lot of bad press lately so we’d like to give you some good news about our favorite country south of the border.  Our whitewater kayaking trips in Jalcomulco, Veracruz went off without a hitch this winter!  We experienced the same friendliness, slow-paced lifestyle, delicious fresh food, sunshine and amazing rivers as always.

We started off…

Over the past couple weeks the Southeast has been getting a lot of love from the rain gods, and it just reminded me of just how good the southeast is when its raining! With tons of great options within a couple hours of Asheville, it really is hard to beat. In the past couple weeks, I have managed to get on a number of NC classics that rival the best rivers in the world.

Upper Big Creek, The Green (with water in it),…

Here's a POV Video that I put together from a day this spring out on the Little White Salmon River in Washington. On this particular day the water levels kept at a juicy 4.9-5.0ft. On this high water day, I was lucky enough to be joined by local paddlers Max Blackburn, Lane Jacobs, and Tao Berman. Enjoy the video.

Paddling into the light on the West Prong

With spring starting off well here in the southeast I figured now would be a good time to give you a little bit of East Coast paddling tour.  These are some of my favorite areas to paddle on the East Coast and highlight some of the top destination…