Paddling Pioneers: How ERA and Wave Sport Conquered New Frontiers in Whitewater Kayaking
For many new boaters, having a good time on Class II or III whitewater like the Nantahala River is as good as it gets. You catch eddies, surf fun waves, maybe even jump in a big bubbly hole. You cheer on your friends or give them pointers on how to stay on longer, complete a flat spin, or get through a rapid more gracefully. At the end of a great day on the water, you hit the pub with your buddies, sharing food and drink and a river tale or two. You feel happy having enjoyed the great outdoors with good company in a tiny plastic boat. But you might not realize that the sport you enjoy so much looked a lot different not very long ago.

Breaking from Tradition
The year was 1993. Colorado-based kayak manufacturer Wave Sport, in business just six years, was exploring the marketplace east of the Mississippi. At the same time a small kayaking school called Endless River Adventures was being built high on a hill in the Nantahala Gorge.

Chan Zwanzig founded Wave Sport with the idea that it was time to break from tradition. "Prior to the mid 90s," explains Chan, "slalom was considered the pinnacle of athletic performance in whitewater kayaking.” Although plastic boats had been introduced in the mid 70s many recreational whitewater kayaks were still made of fiberglass. Racing regulations dictated that slalom boats be 13 feet 2 inches long, and many recreational boats where only slightly shorter. A proud tradition in Europe, whitewater slalom emphasized precision and technical ability. The goal was to move a long, fragile boat through whitewater without touching any rocks or gates. In Chan's view, this had limited appeal in the United States. Something needed to change and, according to Chan, it was boat design.

When Chan met Endless River Adventures’ cofounders Ken and Juliet Kastorff, Wave Sport had just four boat designs. Two were designed for larger boaters and two for smaller boaters, a novel concept at the time. They were plastic. At just over 11 feet long, the Wave Sport Lazer was a minor break from tradition but still strongly resembled a slalom boat, "because everything was based on slalom at the time," remembers Chan. "It took us a while to break the mold and make shorter boats. It wasn't a blinding revelation that we could do anything we wanted." "I actually moved to the Nantahala Gorge with a Wave Sport Lazer," recalls Juliet. Told by southeastern boaters that the boat's raised seat, fashioned after racing kayaks, made it unstable, Juliet attempted to sell her Lazer at an end-of-the-year sale held at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. "My Lazer was one of only two boats that didn't sell by the end of the sale." On a later trip to Colorado, Juliet sold the boat for more than she paid for it.

Chan cites the 1993 Freestyle World Championships (the second such competition ever) as the true game changer in whitewater kayaking. Held on the Ocoee, the event featured cutting-edge moves like the cartwheel and really opened people’s eyes to playboating.

A Partnership Emerges
Kayaking instruction was the main focus of Endless River Adventures at its inception. Neither Ken nor Juliet had any retail background. And they had major competition less than a mile down the road. The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) was the largest whitewater outfitter in the country at the time. "As if it was not enough that we set up kayak instruction, here we were opening up a retail store, all a mile upstream of one of the largest. It didn't take long to find out about proprietary agreements with specialty retail items," explains Juliet. "We had no clue that if there is a store selling a brand, another store couldn’t open up down the street and sell the same one." NOC was selling Perception and Dagger—the two dominant brands of kayaks in the southeast—so those boats were off limits. On past trips to Colorado, Ken and Juliet encountered Wave Sport boats and heard that people out west liked them. They told Chan that next time he came east they wanted to do business with him. He showed up at their doorstep with an initial lineup of designs that the two thought might not sell well east of the Mississippi. “But the designs were still cutting edge, and we saw a guy who believed in quality and innovation,” recalls Juliet. Chan had done some business in the past with NOC but a relationship never developed. The small owner-operated Endless River Adventures seemed to offer the opportunity for collaboration that would enhance both parties and kayaking as a sport. "I was happy to
work with somebody who had such a focus on customer service," remembers Chan.

"The raised seat of Chan’s boats was a big issue because it raised a boater’s center of gravity, making them less-stable. We told Chan he had to drop the seat because stability was a big sell in the shallower water of the southeast," remembers Juliet. "He listened and soon after came out with a modified drop seat option for us.” This was the start of a unique decades-long relationship between outfitter and boat manufacturer.

The Frankenstein
The first boat born of this partnership was the appropriately named Frankenstein. At 9 feet 9 inches long, this "short" boat was recommended for rodeo, the original term for freestyle. The lowered seat gave it added stability for the shallower water of the east, but the boat didn't get the reception that Ken, Juliet, and Chan had hoped for. Dagger and Perception had a lot of industry loyalty, and it was hard to introduce a new product to the market. Even ERA at the time was instructing out of Dagger and Perception boats because they were the more recognized brands.

About two or three years into the relationship, a real transformation began to take place. Chan remembers, "ERA was so good about providing us feedback on what was making their customers happy and what wasn't. We had to recognize that kayaking wasn't about what we at Wave Sport thought it was about." Up until this time, Wave Sport's tag line had been "The proof is in the performance." Based on feedback coming from ERA, Chan discovered what to him was a new goal of kayaking: fun. "Ken and Juliet are really responsible for putting the fun in our sport. Up until that point it was all about technical performance and how well you could handle yourself going down river. Their students wanted to catch an eddy, ferry out, and surf a wave. They just wanted it to feel good."

Wave Sport next released the Kinetic and the Godzilla, two options that moved even further from the traditional slalom design. Then everything changed. Wave Sport came out with the X, a market-changer that had a flat planing hull, edges, and uneven distribution at the ends."People started paying attention," remembers Juliet. It wasn't long before NOC approached Chan with an offer to start selling his boats. He declined out of loyalty to ERA.

Emphasis on Innovation
Wave Sport continued to innovate, releasing two new boat designs each year. "We sold a boat, improved it, and came out with another," explains Chan. "We spent a lot of money on research and development. Molds quickly became obsolete. It wasn't the most profitable, but I was still making some money and things were getting better every day for kayaking."

Around this time, Wave Sport also engaged in some pretty cutting-edge marketing efforts and began to build a culture around this new style of boating. Chan created a team of pro boaters to represent Wave Sport across the country. "We had seven men and seven women out there ripping it," he remembers. "We were dropping kegs in parking lots and partying on the weekends." Team Wave Sport attended festivals, socialized with other boaters, and even converted skateboarders into paddlers. "They developed this really cool tribe around Wave Sport, and it was all positive, " remembers Juliet. "They were really good boaters and good ambassadors. He even had females who rocked." At a time when boating was dominated by young males, a team of seven men and seven women really turned heads. Among their ranks was boater Eric Jackson, who would later found Jackson Kayaks. The relationship between ERA and Wave Sport flourished. People were now asking for Wave Sport by name. "We started building boats that were more fun, and ERA started being able to sell boats better than the competition," says Chan. "We were even selling boats to guides who worked for the competition," recalls Chan. Juliet adds, "The introduction of the EZ series to this day still stands out in
my mind: We got the EZs in the last weekend of October—no one had ever seen the boat on the water. People were lining up to buy them before we could even get them unloaded and the plastic off! Our business is based off word-of-mouth, and there was no more telling example of that than with the EZ." Endless River Adventures was quickly becoming one of the largest Wave Sport dealers in the world.

People and Paddling Trump Profit
"It was a huge gamble on our part to commit to one single kayak manufacturer," acknowledges Juliet. "Everyone warned us that if Wave Sport had a bad year or made a bad design, we'd be out of luck. But in 20 years, we've never had a bad year selling Wave Sport boats. The same was true for Chan; sticking with ERA was a huge gamble when he could have had the exposure of NOC." But for Chan it wasn't about the profit. It was about paddling. "If I was having fun, I wanted everyone to have fun," he explains. "It's always meant more to me to watch someone do better, have more fun, accomplish something, than to actually engage in a commercial transaction." "We just believe in loyalty," states Juliet. "We believe in partnerships with those who share the same commitments we do. Wave Sport helps us get people into the right boats for where they are in their paddling. Since day one, kayakers have trusted us more because we aren't just trying to be salespeople—we are instructors first. We know that if we give a kayaker the right product and the right instruction, we will see them work up to the Ocoee from the Nantahala, and then join us in Costa Rica or Ecuador. We have people who have been our customers since the day our doors opened—only now they are showing up with their kids!" Chan sums it up this way: "Ken and Juliet and I have fundamentally similar underlying mentalities and ethics. We relate to people. We want them to do well and have fun. And coincidentally we were both very successful companies. That success was founded on our relationships with our customers who were paddlers, who were like us because we were paddlers."

A New Kind of Relationship
In 1999, several whitewater kayak manufacturing companies were purchased by a group of investment bankers, Wave Sport among them. A new company, Confluence Watersports, combined eight boat
brands under one roof. No longer were boat makers actually boaters themselves. A new emphasis on profitability resulted. Would this be the end of the unique partnership between Wave Sport and ERA?

Thank you Andrea of CompassWriting.com for your great interview

The post Endless River Adventures-starting with Wave Sport appeared first on Endless River Adventures.

The two biggest choices you have to make when thinking about buying a spray skirt for your whitewater kayak are

1) whether you want a rand or bungee skirt, and  2)the composition and features of the skirt.

Bungee vs. Rand  for the Cockpit

A bungee skirt is more common and skirts have been made with bungees since the beginning. Bungee cockpits are considered easier to get on and off a kayak.  They are, by nature, very stretchy– which means they are easy to stretch around the cockpit of all different shapes.  They are very good at keeping water out of your boat because the bungee is sewn to the outer edge, bottom side, of the skirt, which allows it to maintain its elasticity and yet create a tight seal.

A rand around the cockpit of the skirt is an extruded piece of rubber that is glued onto the underside, outside rim of the skirt. It is a thick piece of rubber so it does not stretch like a bungee, which makes it more difficult to put on the boat.  On the other hand, because it does not stretch easily, it does not stretch out over time, meaning it keeps a tight seal longer. 

Supratex versus Reinforced versus Kevlar

There are several types of skirt materials available on the market, and which one you decide on is based on your priorities. 

Basic/Entry Level Skirt: The basic/entry level skirt is typically made of Supratex 4 way stretch, abrasion resistant neoprene. This will be the most economical choice.   A Supratex skirt is also recommended for people who have trouble getting a skirt on a boat, as they are the easiest of skirts to stretch around the cockpit.

Reinforced:  Upgrading to the next level is a skirt that has a rim guard reinforcement.  A reinforced rim helps to protect your skirt from wear and tear, such as abrasion from your paddle rubbing against the rim.  For a boater looking for a skirt that will last for several years, boating 20-30 times a year, this is a great option. A whitewater-reinforced skirt will last a lot longer than a supratex, and is much drier as well.

The Big Gun Skirt: Looking for the skirt that will last the longest, and stay the driest?  A Kevlar reinforced skirt is what you want.  These are the skirts which are reinforced with Kevlar so that they last under heavy hits and lots of wear.  For the boater paddling 50+ times a year, or running harder whitewater where a skirt implosion would be bad news, this is the skirt for you.  Of course, you get what you pay for, so the price of a skirt reflects the durability and construction of the skirt.

How does a spray skirt Implode?

When downward pressure is put on a skirt, it can implode (come off the cockpit).  This tends to happen when dropping off a waterfall/steep drop, surfing in and/or through big holes, or running big crashing wave train rapids.  A rand skirt will help avoid implosion because of the tight fit. Another option is to invest in a skirt with an implosion bar sewn into the skirt. 

I’m Scared My Skirt Will Not Come Off the Boat

 Probably one of the biggest challenges for newbies is getting comfortable with a spray skit securely closing off the cockpit area.  If you are correctly trained in the first 15 minutes of kayaking with how to properly release a spray skirt, your stress level will diminish to almost nothing.  But for some, it is still in the back of their mind. 

How to get comfortable releasing your skirt

The “what to do” is to practice taking the skirt off. Get training in all the methods for removing a skirt, not just using the grab loop.  Initially walk through releasing the skirt on dry land, then head to the water and practice being upside down and removing the skirt.  It is not intuitive.  But once you are comfortable with the options , you won’t think about it again.  For those who are fixated on the grab loop, and worrying about whether it can be found when upside down, get a tennis ball or something that can be attached to the grab loop (preferably not a carabineer). 

The “what not to do” is to have additional cords or straps on your skirt thinking that they will help you. They are a liability.  Anything a stick or a branch can snag can set up a deadly situation.  If you have young kids, rather than buying a skirt with additional straps on it, start out with a loose nylon skirt and work up to a neoprene skirt. 

If you are new to the sport, this seems like a number of things to consider when shopping for a spray skirt.  Here at Endless River Adventures we make it our business to help you choose the best gear for your personal needs. Stop in for more information about your choices in finding the best spray skirt for you, as well as how to care for your skirt.  We are proud of our industry partners and we feel we carry the best of the best. The bottom line is that if you choose the right skirt and care for it properly, it will help to keep you dry for a long time.

Final Thoughts on Skirts: Whitewater skirts are made out of neoprene. There are some maintenance tips that will help you get more time out of a skirt. You can reference our neoprene tips article for just the information you need!

We look forward to helping you. Happy Paddling!

The post What is the Best Spray skirt for a White water Kayak? appeared first on Endless River Adventures.

The Helmet is one of five essential pieces of kayaking gear

Whitewater kayaking necessitates an investment in 5 essential pieces of paddling gear: boat, paddle, sprayskirt, helmet and pfd (personal flotation device).  When headed out to purchase your gear, or replacement gear, it is important that each piece of gear is sized and fitted specifically to you.  The helmet is hands-down the most important piece of gear to fit properly – and the most complicated.

Fitting a Kayak Helmet is Just Part of Good Customer Service

It takes time to fit a helmet to one’s head.  Much of the job of fitting that helmet should fall on the folks selling you the helmet.  Stop in Endless River Adventures to do a little helmet shopping and you will learn what an emphasis we put on helping you fit that helmet to your noggin.  Why do we take the time?  Because if it does not fit properly, it will not provide the protection you are looking for from a good helmet.  We spend as much time with someone who bought a helmet elsewhere and did not get it fitting properly as we do with someone who buys it from us.

There are a handful of features to consider when deciding what kind of helmet is right for you. Following is a short list on those features to help you navigate the helmet selection/fitting process.

Composite vs ABS Helmet Helmets

One of the first things to decide is whether to go with Composite or ABS for the shell material of a helmet. Composite helmets, usually Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass, Kevlar or some combination of, is more impact resistant, less shock absorbing, lighter weight and more expensive. ABS (plastic) helmets have less impact resistance, do a better job of dispersing impact so you don’t feel the hits with as much force as you would composite, are a bit heavier and less expensive.  Note:  Every helmet you will find at Endless River Adventures has been through rigorous testing by the manufacturer.

Which Material is best for you?

Some people ascribe to the theory that if you are paddling whitewater on the lesser end such as class II-III and even some class IV, a plastic helmet may be better because the helmet can take more hits before needing to be replaced, and are more affordable. But that if the paddler is paddling big, fast water, and/or running creeks that composite may be the way to go.

Helmet Design and Coverage

Beyond shell material, you have many choices as to the design of the helmet and about how much coverage the helmet gives you.  Design – part of the choice is which one do you look best in. You’re wearing that helmet every time you go kayaking.  Look good!!  Then there is coverage.  A half cut helmet covers your noggin but not your ears.  Full cuts add ear protection.  Full face helmets have a guard all the way around your jaw.  There is also the “cap” version that looks like a baseball cap and has a visor that provides some additional sun protection.  There are many opinions out there about which coverage is best.  It’s your decision.  In addition, helmets also have different retention systems for stabilizing the helmet on your head.

Some help from ERA Store manager, Braden:

1. If you take a big hit with your helmet, REPLACE IT. I know it hurts to spend the money, but think of what the doctor bills would have been if you haven’t been wearing it, or if you keep the now compromised helmet and take another hit and the helmet can no longer protect you as it should.
2. The little “triangle” piece on the straps of your helmet. They are a key part of getting the straps cinched properly. The triangles should not be down by your chin. They should beup near your ears. 
3. Take care of your helmet!!
   -As with ALL paddling gear wash it periodically with sink the stink.
   -If any part of the helmet is compromised, fix it, or call us and we can help figure out if it is fixable.
   -Dry your helmet completely (away from heat or sun) and store in a cool dry place without anything on top of it.
   
   FInally, NEVER put your gear bag down in front of or behind the wheels of a parked car. Seriously.  We see it all the time. J

As with every piece of gear we carry in our store here at Endless River Adventures, we stand behind every helmet we carry. I invite you to top in, and let us help to find the helmet that is right for YOU, or help you properly adjust the helmet you already have.

Happy Paddling! Braden, Team ERA

The post Unraveling the Mystery of Choosing a Kayak Helmet appeared first on Endless River Adventures.

Looking out of the shop at the cold winter scene outside, we are so grateful for all of the great cold weather gear available to paddlers! For those who don’t want the temperatures to keep them from the river, choosing the right gear is important. But there is no getting around the fact that good cold weather gear is an investment. Once you have purchased your cold-weather gear it is important to know how to care for it properly. Of all the cold weather gear out there, the number one material that makes it great is neoprene.

What is Neoprene

Neoprene is basically closed cell foam that traps warmth against your body to keep you insulated. Originally made from petroleum, neoprene provides both insulation and buoyancy which is a nice added bonus on the water.

Can Neoprene be Environmentally Friendly?

it is now possible to make neoprene from Limestone. This newer material is lighter, warmer, less permeable, more durable and stretchy, and a bit more eco-friendly. We are proud to say that all insulating neoprene here at Endless River Adventures is made with this limestone neoprene. We are as passionate about the environment as we about sharing our passion for whitewater which means that having BETTER gear that is also GREENER makes us happy paddlers!  We have a variety of neoprene pieces to insulate you from head to toe and are happy to help you figure out what is best for your needs. But we want to go beyond your purchase of neoprene and make sure you know how to care for and repair it once it is yours, so it lasts you as long as possible. This is good for your wallet and good for the earth.

Why Does Neoprene Break Down?

Some of the biggest contributors to neoprene decay are chlorine, mold and mildew, how it is stored, sunshine and excessive heat.  So let’s take a look at each of these:

Chlorine
This may be less of a risk factor than the others since you are usually on the river. However, if you use your dry top or wetsuit for a pool session it is important that you clean it afterwards. A great product for cleaning your neoprene is Gear Aid’s Wetsuit & Drysuit Shampoo (which we carry in our shop). If you do not have this, at least rinse thoroughly in cool water after your session.

Mold and Mildew
These can develop in your neoprene if it is not dried fully after use. Mold can also feed on any mud or sand that is left on your suit. So, again, wash your suit occasionally and properly – ideally with the shampoo above, and leave it to dry completely in a cool place out of direct sunlight.

Storing
When it comes time to store your gear, you first make sure it is clean and completely dry and then either hang it or lay it flat without anything heavy on it so that the tiny closed cells do not crush.

Sunlight and Excessive Heat
First off, just don’t put your neoprene near heaters or in the dryer. It isn’t worth the faster dry time. As for sunlight, we don’t recommend that you dry your gear in the sun. However, we know you are in the sun when paddling, so for added protection, occasionally spray your gear with 303 Protectant and wipe off the excess.

Caring for my Gear

With proper care, these garments can last many seasons. However, these materials are very susceptible to damage under certain circumstances. Here are some tips to help extend the life of your gear. Gaskets are always one of the biggest repair items. There are many articles about how to care for and replace your gaskets. As far as repairing your own gasket – feel free to use us!! We are trained to help you figure out how to fix your gaskets and which of the products we carry that do the job. Please, don’t hesitate to come by and ask our advice.

The Do’s and Don’t of Taking Care of Your Gear

There are definitely some do’s and don’ts when it comes to taking care of neoprene gear. Smell seems to be the most nagging problem with your cold weather gear. An antibacterial dip is what’s needed to get rid of that “kayaker funk.” It just so happens that you can get some Sink the Stink the next time you are in our shop.

The post Cold Weather Gear: Starting with Neoprene – What is it and How Do You Take Care of It? appeared first on Endless River Adventures.

With 27+ years’ experience running trips and paddling in Latin America – we’ve got some pretty good beta on paddling DIY (Do It Yourself) in a foreign country  specifically in Latin America; even more specifically, in Ecuador. The short answer to paddling on your own in Ecuador is “Yes!” And “No.”

The “yes!” is for all of you who have any combination of the following:

1. At least a month set aside to travel and paddle
2. Enough money to make ends meet for an extended period of unemployment
3. At least a minimal grasp of Spanish, or a knack for picking up a foreign language easily and/or comfort in a country that speaks very little English, which is the case in Ecuador.
4. A good stomach to deal with lower-end budget restaurants where food prep is not typically scaled to gringos.
5. Solid boating skills and comfort running unfamiliar rivers. Don’t come to Ecuador on your own without a solid roll.  Period.
6. Have someone who is willing to babysit you. 
7. A sense of adventure for dealing with whatever the day brings you.

That’s a short list of must have’s for having an awesome time on your own traveling/paddling in Ecuador. 

The “No” list for paddling on your own is also any combination of the following:

1. Having a short, specific time to travel and paddle, with little room for “adventures” that will throw off your schedule
2. Having a preference for focusing your time on the paddling and culture expedited by guides that are super experienced on the rivers, know varying water levels, and know the people and the culture. 
3.  A preference for letting someone else deal with the logistics of a foreign country, from the rivers to transportation to hotels and restaurants.
4. Not really interested in the dirt bag lifestyle of low rent hotels full of a lot of young bros – many who are as interested in the partying end of things as the paddling and are able to do both with gusto. 
5. Not jazzed up about the idea of jumping on new rivers, at wildly varying water levels, with people you may or may not know, who have a wide range of paddling styles and idea of responsibility on the river.
6. Not interested in public transportation as your day-to-day means of getting to and from wherever you are going.
7. Little to no Spanish.

That’s the short list for why joining a commercial paddling trip Ecuador will be your best bet.

Here’s a few extra clarifications about paddling in Ecuador:

Boats.  There are no well-stocked outfitters stores in Ecuador full of paddling gear and boats to replace what you may not bring down/break/lose/have stolen.  One of the biggest challenges to doing things on your own is the kayak. Airlines continue to be a coin toss as to whether they will check your kayak/surf boat/windsurfer/fishing vessel.  During the holidays Ecuador always places an embargo on the airlines, limiting travelers to two bags.  The airlines cannot get around that in their computer system.  If the person checking you in is happy to check in your kayak, there will be a cost involved – up to $150. Say thank you as you pay the fee and be happy you have your boat.  And please DO NOT bring a welded boat to Ecuador with the intent of selling it to some unassuming person once you are done. You are bringing trash into another country that will end up in the landfill after a few weeks of hard boating.  Leave your trash at home.  If you want to try and sell your boat after you paddle, have the courtesy of selling a boat that at least arrived in good condition.  Ecuadorian paddlers do not have the expendable income most Americans do and if you rip them off with a welded boat, you are doing all of us a disservice.  A great idea is to work out selling your boat to someone who is coming down after your travel is over.  A win win for both of you!  There are options for renting boats short term and long term in country. If you rent a boat from someone in country remember that if you break it you buy it. It will not matter if you break it on the first rapid of the first day; you break it you buy it. 

Public Transportation. It is great in Ecuador! There is bus service throughout the country. And in local paddling communities, locals have pick up trucks and provide shuttles to boaters.   Make sure you always keep an eye on your belongings when using public transportation. You stand out like the gringo you are. And it is obvious that you have money, electronics, cell phones, and passports – all of which have street value for a savvy thief.  In using the local shuttles, make sure you have a dry bag for your personal belongings and be prepared to bring them along in your boat since you cannot leave them in the shuttle vehicle.  Plan on having your passport with you at all times.  And always – have a copy of your passport somewhere safe in case you lose it. 

Rivers. It is no exaggeration that the water levels in Ecuador fluctuate drastically.  Not just over night after a hard rain, but within mere hours.  Ecuador is not the United States.  Most rivers are not road access.  Most treks off isolated rivers are hard going.  And there is no medivacing off a river if you get hurt.  In fact, if you do get hurt, you are most likely going to need to go to Quito for any serious injury (including dislocated shoulders). 

Food.  The food is inexpensive and nutritious. But you will not find vegan, organic, gluten free, non gmo American nonsense on the menus of most of the Ecuadorian restaurants outside the big cities.  Eating in the local restaurants – especially once you get out of the main cities, means food not prepared with the gringo in mind. Water might not be treated and food prep is not freakishly sanitized the way it is at home.  Your American stomach will find itself in a battle with new bacteria so be prepared for some stomach issues. The saying in Ecuador is “never trust a fart.”  Oh – and you’d best like eggs as you will see them served three meals a day. 

Female Paddlers. Ecuador is a very female friendly place to travel. With that said there are a few things you just need to be prepared for. The boating scene in Ecuador is a pretty strong bro atmosphere.  You will not have a lot of privacy in the hang outs in the main paddling areas.  If you like to do yoga, meditate and read a book in your down time, you will have to work to find that space.  There are also definitely some rules of thumb for female travelers that will help with enjoying your time.

Finally – a plug for supporting the commercial groups that have been running trips in Ecuador for a very long time (Endless River Adventures being one of them).  Yep – you are going to spend more money than if you do it on your own. That goes without saying. The experienced outfitters in Ecuador have spent years investing their time and money in getting to know the rivers up and down, investing in infrastructure, investing in building community relationships, and adding a cultural side to their trips so that you see more than just the paddling.  Word to the wise: If you sign up with a legal outfitter in Ecuador, they are running their trips through an agency, they are working with Ecuadorians, their driver is insured and so is the private vehicle they are using.  If you choose to go commercial, make sure and do your homework and support one of the reputable commercial outfitters invested in Ecuador.  Folks that run commercial trips without the above are running under the radar and would be kicked out of the country if caught.   Supporting one of the commercial groups that have run trips in country for many years is a guarantee that you will have as much of a hassle free great experience as possible in a wonderful country.  It will also help assure that those companies will be there long after the private boaters have moved on to their next winter destination.

#allyouneedisecuador is no exaggeration.  It is a paradise for boating, for exploring, for culture, for new experiences that will wow you.  Don’t miss the opportunity.  We hope to see you in Ecuador this winter!!

PS – have some time free this winter that could be used for an awesome paddling trip? Check out our trip dates to see if one might work with your schedule. This year the airline tickets are mush lower than usual.  Now’s the time!!

The post Is DIY the Way to Paddle Down South in the Winter appeared first on Endless River Adventures.

First, some background on the bow draw. We agree – it is a cool stroke.  Slalom boaters wouldn’t be slalom boaters without it.  When a slalom boater paddles toward an upstream gate they move toward the eddy and then drive the bow across the eddy line with a forward or sweep stroke (called pre-turning). Then they rotate upstream, lock in a bow draw and pivot turn. The bow draw becomes a forward stroke, pulling them through the gate. This move was once called the “Duffek,” now we call it a bow draw.

There are some key elements that make that stroke successful:
-The bow is deflecting upstream before the stroke starts, so it is easier to pivot-turn the boat.
-The paddler locks up their arms relative to their torso and draws the paddle to the hull with ab-muscles.  It’s all about using your core – which  is a key concept in kayaking: You should rarely engage musculature in your shoulder on a turning stroke. If the blade will move on a radius out away from the hull, you should be locking your arms in position relative to your torso and rotating at the waist to power the stroke with your  abdominal muscles.  

Number one reason why using the core is essential is because the shoulder’s anatomy just isn’t evolved enough for the loading you get when a paddle blade is offsetting lateral tension on the bow. This is probably the number one mistake made in stroke technique,. All humans are likely to swing their arm some (or a lot) on a sweep, reverse sweep, or bow draw. It’s not good for the shoulder, but it’s just what we do. The main idea here is not to sweep the paddle behind your torso with just an arm. Huge strain on the rotator cuff and bicep tendon. You should rotate at the waist to get the paddle there, and convert to stern draw if necessary.  

There is a time and a place for using the bow draw. Or not using it.
When is the bow draw your stroke of choice:
Pivot Turns
The bow draw is great for pivot turns when done correctly. It integrates well with the element of bow deflection and ab-tensioning and creates minimal pressures on the shoulder. And it feels super cool.  
*Side note: You may see racers Duffek with their upper arm above or behind their head. This offers all the freedom to dislocate that you associate with external rotation. The upper arm should be in front of face, lower than the scalp. In this positioning the anatomy acts as a lock mechanism for the upper arm during the move. It is one of the rare things slalom racers do that makes the rest of us mortals cringe.

Angle Adjustment (not angle correction)
You are moving downstream and want to adjust your angle a few degrees to one side or other. You reach out relatively close to the hull, bow draw to the angle you want, then roll the wrist as it becomes a forward stroke. This small adjustment is very common, and acceptable. But, just know that you are doing something a little awkward anytime you roll your wrist out like that. Especially considering that a sweep to other-side forward stroke works as well or better, with none of the possible strain in the shoulder or wrist.  

Closing the Turn Radius
If you have set a penetrating angle into an eddy and the boat is already turning, you can close the turn radius some with a bow draw. The main thing to understand here is that it is an accessory stroke. If you drove forward into the eddy at a penetrating angle, then there you are. The bow is deflecting upstream, no assistance needed. Or downstream when you leave.    

When Using the bow draw can be a problem
Using a Bow Draw to Correct an Angle
When a paddler gets deflected off an eddy line, or did not present an entry angle into the eddy and is running down a band of current, and then reaches into the eddy with a bow draw without pre-turning the boat and driving across the eddy line.  As they fly by the eddy, they usually make a funny face, roll their wrists forward and drop into a drag stroke to turn the boat  This  move is attempted too often, yet it rarely works.  And it puts heavy strain on your shoulders.  

When using it creates external rotation
Hold your arm out to side with forearm up, palm facing forward, like you are pledging an oath. This is called external rotation, and it is the most common way to dislocate a shoulder. Now drop your elbow about three inches. This is about how you hold the paddle on an incorrect bow draw. Feel much difference? When someone flies by an eddy and reaches in there with a bow draw, imagine springs and ball bearings flying out of their shoulder as it explodes.  Ouch.  

If you just can’t live without that bow draw, you first need to turn the bow in the direction you want to go with a sweep or forward stroke, then rotate, plant the paddle, and use abs to get your feet around, without moving your arm relative to your torso. You need to lock in that position between arm and shoulder and gut tug the boat around. Just remember: unless you are looking to do a pivot turn, the draw wasn’t really important.  

Bottom line here: the bow draw should be taught sparingly and with a huge dose of context. Or better yet, not at all until someone has nailed their correction strokes and learned how to control their boat angle.  Focus on your foundation correction strokes: forward sweep, reverse sweep and stern draw, and leave the bow draw for something fun to learn down the road. 

The post The Coolest Stroke is not always the Best Stroke to Use: the Bow Draw appeared first on Endless River Adventures.

Outfitting a helmet is part of what we do to help you get the best fit for the river!

The detail of buying a whitewater helmet is in the fit.  How often have you purchased a pair of shoes, eye glasses or anything else of value, only to realize after that the fit isn’t right? How about a helmet that looked nice on display, but doesn’t seem to fit quite right when you put it on to go kayaking?   If the salesperson had only taken the time to help you choose the right product……

Seeing folks with ill-fitting helmets on the river worries us as much as you.    Your helmet is one of the essential ways you can protect yourself in whitewater. An improper fit can expose your head to direct impact.  We follow a number of rules when it comes to helmets:

1. All helmets are not created equal.  Ask about the features of each style of helmet so that you make an informed decision.
2. If the helmet does not fit, then it is not the right one.  Don’t compromise because of style or color or price preference.  It needs to fit properly.
3. The well known adage: how much is your brain worth.  Don’t compromise. And accept that helmets do not live forever. At a certain point, upgrade if your helmet is old, well-worn, or damaged.
4. A helmet does not replace good paddling skills, so do not use it as a substitute for investing in your skills.

Selection and fit are where we can play a role in helping you find the right helmet!  When you come to us to purchase a helmet,  we want to see you walk away with the helmet that fits your head the best (which isn’t always the priciest helmet we carry).  We will help you to adjust the helmet so that it offers you the maximum protection.  Sometimes that takes a few tries with a few different helmets, but that is what we believe we are here for. We want you to walk away feeling satisfied not only with your purchase but with the knowledge that your helmet will be able to do the job it was designed for.

Endless River Adventures believes in putting our guests first, and we are happy to go above and beyond. We take that customer service a step further. Even if you already own a helmet and purchased it somewhere else, please feel free to come in for help in getting a proper fit. We are happy to take the time to take the time to help. (We just ask that you come in just about anytime other than a busy Saturday!)

See you on the river!!  Peace – Braden Henry, ERA Store Guru

The post The Details are in the Fit of a Whitewater Helmet appeared first on Endless River Adventures.

Make your Black Friday a time to #optoutside!!  Now is the best time of year to avoid the crowds and enjoy being outside here in the Nantahala Gorge!!

What to do as an alternative to standing in lines at the Mall? Here are just a few ideas to get you thinking about an #optoutside day:

#shopsmall

If you must shop – #shopsmall!!  Skip the lines and support your local businesses! We will be open Fri-Sun 10am – 4pm, stop by or contact us by phone (828) 488-6199 or email store@endlessriveradventures.com to take advantage of our weekend-long 25% store-wide discount!

The post Make Your Black Friday an #optoutside day – and here’s some options for you! appeared first on Endless River Adventures.

We are excited to add Garmin as one of our partner brands

• It starts with what they stand for – “engineering on the inside for life on the outside”
• Their wearables and cameras are state-of-the-art
• They are waterproof.
• They track more activities than any other wearable on the market
• Garmin has bought Delorme – which means they now have the best GPS.

VivoActive 3

Newest product in their wearables department – the Vivoactive 3 is not just for tracking sleeping and heart rate, but also tracking paddling, hiking, and running logs… not to mention how classy it looks!

Vivoaction HR

The Vivoactive HR is sporty looking, can track steps, heart rate and for the outdoor adventurist – you can see the GPS imaging of where you have paddled/walked/run/supped on your phone.

VIRB 360

Taking video and photography to a whole new level!  The VIRB 360 takes real time 360-degree photos and videos.  Imagine its use in your business – creating real time 360 views. And then there is on a bike or kayak or any outside activity you want to capture.  The VIRB 360 gives you true 360-images or video, as well as adding mapping image on the footage to share.  The fact that it is completely waterproof was what wrapped it up for us.
Not sure yet?  Check out the image stabilization of the VIRB 360!

All three are perfect gifts for the outdoor enthusiast – especially if the recipient’s name is “you!!”

The post Adding Garmin as one of our Partner Brands appeared first on Endless River Adventures.

• Sunlight is not a friend of your gaskets.   Leaving latex gaskets exposed in direct sunlight will expedite the need to replace.
• If you have a slight tear in the gasket – use very sharp scissors and trim it very (really – very) carefully
• Regular Gasket care can extend the life of your gaskets and save you costly gasket replacements. I find it best to treat gaskets with 303 when I bring it our of storage every year. Some companies recommend treating your gaskets every 4 – 6 weeks. I find that to be a tedious schedule but the key take-away is regular treatment is good for your gaskets.

• First rinse off your gaskets with clean tap water and allow them to dry completely, using a towel if necessary.
• Coat your gasket with 303 Aerospace Protectent. A clean rag or old t-shirt can be useful to help spread and rub in a generous amount of 303 – those gaskets can soak up a fair bit. Be sure to treat both sides of each gasket.
• Store your treated dry gear in a cool, dark place away from damaging light sources, oils and solvents

PS – ready to upgrade from a dry top to a dry suit? We carry Immersion Research’s Best – the 7-Figure and Shawty! Call us today to talk dry suit options.

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