Paddling – Scout Life magazine

Two Scouts paddle inflatable kayaks through the rapids

Alabama Scouts Tackle Whitewater in Inflatable Kayaks

Troop 53 paddles the rapids using "duckies" on North Carolina's Nantahala River.

Scouts Keep Tradition of Canoe Adventures in the Adirondacks

These troops' summer traditions include padding for days on New York's lakes.

Canoe or Kayak? Which is the Better Choice?

Choosing a canoe or kayak depends on how you want to travel and what kind of water you’ll encounter.

Scouts Navigate the Same Northern Tier Treks That Launched Scouting’s Canoeing Tradition

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Northern Tier will offer historic canoeing treks.

Scouts Find Adventure on the Peace River (Spoiler: It Wasn’t Totally Peaceful)

Don't let the river's name fool you, Scouts saw alligators, shark teeth and more on this canoe trek.

Hike! Paddle! Bike! Troop 141 Did It All on One Epic Adventure

When Troop 141 couldn’t choose between kayaking and cycling, they decided to both. And some backpacking.

How Do I Keep Gear Dry in a Kayak?

Q: I'm going on a six-day kayak trek. I know what to bring, but don't know how to pack it to keep it dry. Any suggestions?

The Only Way to Truly Experience the Largest Swamp in the Country

Crew 62 explores a unique environment that many have seen on TV or in movies but few ever get to experience in person.

Scouts Take in the Sights and Sounds of The Great Lakes by Kayak

Explore this grand adventure of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Scouts Paddle 50 Miles in Homemade Kayaks

Triple-digit temps are perfectly manageable on a hot kayaking trek down the cool Colorado.

Paddling Away Through Yellowstone National Park

On a canoeing trek in Yellowstone National Park, Scouts leave civilization -- and their comfort zones -- behind.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding Buying Guide

The Gear Guy gives you the lowdown on SUP, one of the world's fastest-growing outdoor sports.

How to perform a canoe-over-canoe rescue

If you go canoeing enough, eventually you're going to fall in the water. Here are tips for safely rescuing a capsized canoe.

Scouts spend an unforgettable week at Swamp Base

Jump into one of the world's most exciting -- and challenging -- environments at Louisiana's Swamp Base.

Keep kayak paddles from slipping

When I'm kayaking, my paddle is always slipping through my hands. Can you help me?

Choosing a kayak

I am looking to buy a kayak but there are so many possibilities. Which one should I pick? Help me!

Stuff we like: Riviera Select 8′ Stoft Top Standup Paddleboard

By now, you’ve probably heard about—or even tried—standup paddleboarding (SUP). If not, the basics are you stand on an oversized surfboard and stroke with a long canoe-like paddle.

Scouts Save Stranded Kayaker on Wyoming River

When they saw a man stranded in the middle of a fast-moving river, these Scouts knew just what to do.

Canoeing Trek Teaches Teamwork

When the Scouts from Troop 224 in Ohio go canoeing, they really go canoeing.

Canoeing through Bowron Lake Provincial Park

See photos of Troop 136's canoeing trek through Canada's Bowron Lake Provincial Park, where they found majestic mountains, remarkable rivers and lovely lakes. And plenty of paddling.

Reduce sweating in your lifejacket

Q. My family has a great sit-on-top kayak and I love paddling it around the lake in the summer but my parents make me wear a lifejacket and my back gets totally sweaty and gross. Please help me!

Photos of 100-mile canoe trip through Tennessee wilderness

It takes a ton of toughness -- both physical and mental -- to tackle a 100-mile canoe trip through the Tennessee wilderness.

Stuff We Like: Old Town Heron Jr. kayak

Learning to paddle is great but it’s even more fun when you have a kayak that actually fits.

Use garbage bags to keep stuff dry?

Q. Are waterproof bags necessary or will garbage bags work just as well?

Gear for a canoe trip

Q. Hey Gear Guy, I was just wondering what kinds of special gear my troop should get when going on a canoe trip?

Buy a boat on a budget

Q. Gear Guy, I want a boat that is less than 8 feet and no smaller than a five-horsepower motor. The problem: My budget is $500. Do you have any ideas?

Stop kayaks from sinking

Q. When our troop goes on a kayaking trips my kayak always sinks? How can I stop it from sinking?

What’s SUP?

Q. Dear Gear Guy. I’ve heard people talk about something called SUP -- I think it might have something to do with surfing but I’m not sure what it is. Can you fill me in?