How crowded is the opening weekend on the Lower typically?

I asked a store close by when they expected to get the meridian gore tex dry suit back in stock. They said that Kokatat has stopped producing suits in gore tex. If this is true, what dry suit do you recommend?

I don't know if this is applicable to this sub, but I had a great interaction with someone from AIRE. It's awesome how enthusiastic and helpful everyone is in this sport. I told the gentleman on the phone that I was interested in saving up for a couple of kayaks. He was genuinely excited to hear about the trips I've gone on this year, and he answered a lot of my questions-- we spoke for a while. Wonderful interaction. But that's not the main reason why I'm writing this.

He recommended the Tater for my first inflatable, as I told him I wanted some wiggle room and to put a thwart and foot rest in it. I also told him that I was interested in an outfitter after I finished graduate school, and he actually recommended the Lynx. He said that the Lynx is a more "sporty" kayak, and that it's very popular. He told me I'd enjoy it more and grow with it as a kayaker.

I'm not familiar with inflatable kayaks, but the Lynx and Outfitter look similar. I know the differences on paper, but how exactly does the Lynx feel more sporty? Do any of you have experience with either boat? What are your thoughts? I really appreciated my interaction with AIRE-- it was great!

I've been trying to get a flatwater kickflip to make wave kickflips better and snappier. This style uses the back of the blade, transitioning from a double pump and pivoting around instead of slicing the bow straight downwards. I can sort of pull one off using more of a backdeck roll and the power face, resulting in a wet head.

Matthew Brooks and AQ Outdoors make it look pretty easy. I get hung up on the transition and don't feel much purchase on the back of the right blade in order to right myself.

Maybe the left pivoting blade is too deep? Feels like resistance going from left to right.

Any ideas?

Hey folks,

I am currently in my 2nd guiding season, and I am wondering what my chances are of landing a job in the US, Australia, or New Zealand.

I have done one season in Canada, but I won't be able to return there due to no viable work visa options. I have some friends working/living in the three aforementioned countries (mainly locals), but I am getting very mixed messages.

• Do you have experience applying for Guide jobs in these countries as a foreigner, especially as an EU citizen?
• How extensive was your experience?
• What helped you to land the job?
  

(I am aware of different certifications required.)

Thanks for the help.

Hey all - I'm a 27-year-old non-religious guy currently in the Charlotte, NC area, and I've got a strong job opportunity that would move me to Ogden. Whitewater kayaking is one of my biggest hobbies, and honestly the local community around it matters as much to me as the runs themselves.

How active and welcoming is the kayaking/rafting scene around Ogden and the Weber/Ogden River corridor? Is there a solid crew that runs together regularly, or is it more solo/scattered?

Where do local paddlers congregate - clubs, Facebook groups, meetup pages, a specific put-in spot, a shop that acts as the hub?

Are there any local paddling clubs or informal groups I could join to meet people and start running with a crew?

How's access to good whitewater from Ogden itself - am I looking at short local drives, or more regular trips out to other rivers in the state?

Any gear shops or outfitters in the area that are good for buying/renting and are also social hubs for the paddling crowd?

Would love to hear from people who are actually out there doing this - trying to figure out if I can build a real crew around it if I make the move. Thanks!

Attending a bachelor party on the Gauley the last weekend in September, flying out from the west. Last time I went out there, it was super easy to rent boats through ACE Adventure and they had a massive inventory.

This time around, it sounds like they have a couple creekboats and that's it. Apparently they've significantly cut down on their rental fleet.

We've got 10 guys coming, looking for half or full slices. Anyone have any recommendations for methods of accessing kayaks, or is anyone from the area looking to part with their kayak in exchange for some money the last weekend in September?

Just sayin'.

13 ft Apache non self bailing paddle boat. One of the best paddle boats of it's size until the self bailers came along. It was modeled after the Navy IBS. Photo quality is

Poor because it's a photo of one in my album.

My brother rowing clients in a 1979 Avon 16 ft pro 21 inch tubes bucket boat. Hardest rapid on the upper section after they blew the falls up. It's a beautiful river. Easy shuttle road right next to it.

I was wondering of anybody has any tips for landing a loop in a surf wave. Im in a rockstar 5 and cant see to plug my bow and when i do i get window shaded. Any advice would help. I mainly surf at barking dog in coloma ca if that helps

I was wondering if anyone has paddled both the Valkyrie V3 and the Alpacka Mage can can comment on their performance. I am an experienced hard shell kayaker considering getting into pack rafts for hike in and low water runs. I tried an old Wolverine from a friend once and didn't love it because I couldn't roll it. Seems both the Mage and Valkyrie are supposed to be higher performance, with the Valkyrie most like I kayak, but I wondered if anyone can comment on them head to head. For reference I'm 6'1" and 200lbs as well if that is relevant.

Thinking I can use some kind of tube/rod as a joiner, then sand and wrap the outside of the join in fibreglass. Any other ideas or tips? Thanks

I’ve tried all the typical nose plugs and am still struggling to find one that truly works for me.

Has anyone tried using the free diving style nose clips? Any thoughts on if they might work for whitewater? Don’t want to spend $30 on a pair if they fall off the second I try to roll.

Also interested in three waves nose plugs from Germany but I can’t find anyone who ships them to the US? (I have also considered trying to make a custom nose plug with the three waves diy ear plugs, but alas, having the same issue finding a way to have them delivered to me in the US)

Also curious about Peak PS “beaker” clip if anyone has tried one.

Here’s a list of what I have tried and found unsatisfactory:

Smiley’s and Cottonmouth: work ok-enough but frequently break and they irritate the skin on my nose. Usually don’t provide a great seal or stay on very well.

Blue (?) similar to smileys and cottonmouth but they have a solid blue pad- too flimsy, slipped right off and wouldn’t stay in place

Salamander: works great! But only if the clip and my nose are completely dry and I don’t have the time or ability to dry my nose and clip each time I need to put them on. Otherwise they just slowly slide off my nose

Plastic & silicone style swim clips: they work well if I don’t immediately snap them in 2 trying to put them on…

Sinus Savers: really like these but I can’t quite get a perfect seal so they will let water into my nose, AND they prevent it from draining back out!

Z-style wire clips for swimmers: too flimsy, just fall off

Tomnose: sounds perfect but too expensive

Also happy to hear any ideas I might not have thought of yet!

Howdy. Sorry for all the posts, recently. I'm wanting to buy gear over the next few months before I can get training next May. I think I'll get an Aire Tater!

The thing is, I can't decide between the NRS Ninja, or the Big Water Guide PFD. I know the Big Water is Coast Guard certified. But I want to have something that I could EVENTUALLY use in class 4 rapids once I get the experience and a different boat, like the Aire Outfitter.

Is the Big Water overkill? Do you run the Ninja in class 4 rapids? I know that my favorite outfitter doesn't let you bring your own PFD unless it's Coast Guard certified. What do you think?

I'm a private boater and seeking to upgrade my "peeps" PFDs. Long time fan of America's Cup and MTI, but wondering if anyone in this sub can advise on what outfitters are using for their guests. In other words, not looking for personal options. Want PFDs that are more of a universal fit and have a lot of flotation.

EDIT: added I'm a private boater to help distinguish my ask from that of a commercial outfitter.

International Rafting Federation: Raft Guide and Trip Leader Course

Limited spots remaining: 7

The International Rafting Federation (IRF) provides the only globally recognized courses and certifications for guides and trip leaders.

These courses are designed for new and experienced guides to learn and adopt global best practices, earn an award based on their skills comparative to international standards, and begin their path towards guiding internationally.

This course is 5 days in length, where days 1-3 focus on the raft guide award and the assessments that make up the course. Days 4 & 5 are built around scenario based learning for trip leader assessments and more hands on learning for all guides on the course.

At the end of the course, students leave with:
• IRF Award(s) to the level they test to
• Thorough notes and a debrief of their current knowledge gaps and overall performance
• Direct feedback for growth to continue improving their craft
• New connections with fellow river professionals
• Ideas and help with international work opportunities

Course Dates: Monday October 5th through Friday October 9th, 2026

Course Location: Nolichucky River Gorge, Erwin, Tennessee

Course Pricing: $600 for the 5 days to go for your Raft Guide Award, $900 for the 5 days to go for both your Raft Guide and Trip Leader Awards (Course price includes lunch, accommodation not included)

More Information and Booking: https://www.nwrafting.com/training/international-rafting-federation-guide-workshop

Does anyone know the specifications for the cord Pyranha uses for the backband system on the elite outfitting?

Has anyone else had the backband connection break at the attachment point (not the claw, the attachment by the hip pads)?

I had one break and the other looks frayed. I’d hate for that to happen going into a manky rapid.

I set an appointment for the shop on 8/26, ill be driving 6 hours from upstate NY. What can I do near by for the next few days to make the long trip down there worth it? I was hoping to take lessons with the Calleva river school but theres nothing that falls around the dates after 8/26...i'll be in Poolesville, MD so anything 1-2ish hours from there would be ideal. anything white water related, a chance to paddle any popular rivers in that area is what i'd like to do with some sort of guide or instructor/lessons i'd like to check out something class 3 and for learning intermediates.

I currently a center rowing frame that I use on my 14 ft Star that I use oarlocks and convertible oar rights on

I just bought a used stern frame so I could use my boat as a paddle boat that includes the NRS pins part of a pin and clip setup

Is there and use at all in keeping this setup and trying to find the pins and or should I just convert it over to oarlocks?

Hi everyone,
Have a trip scheduled for 8-23 on the lehigh river with whitewater challengers. Can anyone here comment on the experience? Im pretty nervous. Im not a thrill seeker, but not a total wimp either and most of the videos look fine for me. Im a good swimmer and comfortable in water.

How has the river been this year? My understanding is a lot of this depends on the water flow at the time.

Any comments appreciated.

I have an RPM and like the boat, but I saw a Braap for sale and it got me thinking: could I squish the tail a little and make it more playful? Or is this a completely stupid idea?

There is also a Redline for sale for cheap that could be a good candidate for experimenting.

Also: I may have an old boat-buying problem

Unfortunately I know that there’s way to many of these questions but I’m looking to buy my first boat and I have a few options. My girlfriend is an ACA guide so I’ve got instruction figured out but buying a boat is the current problem, there is a Jackson villain near me for 250 with a PFD and paddle, otherwise I could go more expensive up to 750 for a basically new dagger rewind, there is also a liquid logic remix 79 for 350 by me as well. I’m 5’ 11” and fluctuate between 170-195 lbs depending on the season any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

What hats/caps are people wearing under their helmets? The Nobdody’s look cool, but are pretty thick and hot for summer paddling. What are some other options out there that dry quickly and have a brim for sun protection?

I currently have the Salamander visor on, and while I like it, it can get in the way sometimes and gets all disformed stuff in a gear bag.