The Joy of Hand Paddling | Whitewater Kayaking by kylethomas | Jun 17, 2021 | Antix, Featured Post, Instructional, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, MixMaster, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, Whitewater Instruction, WW DisciplinesI’m going to talk about those plastic things you store in the stern of your kayak, hand paddles. Maybe you’ve used them on the river or at a pool session, but alas I’m going to encourage you to blow off the dust and take them for a spin. You don’t want your first time...
The Sky: Skykomish River, Washington by kylethomas | May 3, 2021 | Creeking, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, Nirvana, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW DisciplinesFlowing alongside U.S. Highway 2 on the west side of the Cascade Mountains in Washington state is the Skykomish River, affectionately known as “The Sky.” Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t. Or maybe you’ve driven by it on your way to ski or snowboard at...
Nirvana – The Best Creek Boat For Me by kylethomas | Mar 18, 2021 | Creeking, Featured Post, JAdventures Main Banner, Nirvana, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW DisciplinesI have the same Jackson Kayak Nirvana as I purchased in 2017. No hull replacements. SAME ONE. Simply put, I love this kayak! It has provided me the confidence needed to paddle challenging rivers, the safety to withstand a lot of rock contact over the years, and the...
Packing for a Raft Supported Grand Canyon Trip by kylethomas | Dec 1, 2020 | Antix, Exploration Feature, Featured Post, JAdventures Main Banner, River RunningThere are many lists online to guide packing for a Grand Canyon river trip. The packing list I provide is aimed to help those packing for a trip during the warm/hot months. Our trip was from August – September and a mix of kayakers and rafts. Temperatures exceeded 100...
First Jackson Antix 2.0 Ride on the Grand Canyon by kylethomas | Oct 16, 2020 | Antix, Featured Post, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, rivers, Trip Reports, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW DisciplinesI had the fortunate opportunity to test out the Jackson Kayak Antix 2.0 at one of the greatest American treasures, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. This was my first time seeing an Antix 2.0. What better than to take it on a 280 mile test drive? Having paddled...
Paddling the Large Antix as a Sporty Creekboat by kylethomas | Jul 11, 2020 | 2014 Karma UnlimitedThe Jackson Kayak Antix, a kayak you might see in videos throw ends, sending boofs, and performing aerial tricks. Well, I use my Antix a bit different. When the Antix first came out, I was in between the weight range for the Medium and Large sizes. I am 6’0’’ and 185...
ACA River Kayak Committee by kylethomas | May 7, 2020 | Exploration Feature, Featured Post, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW DisciplinesSince January 2018, I have been fortunate to be a member of the American Canoe Association (ACA) River Kayak Discipline Committee. Prior to being on this committee, I served as an ACA State Director of South Carolina, ACA Director of North Carolina, and then as a...
PNW Collegiate Whitewater Fest by kylethomas | Mar 18, 2020 | Creeking, Nirvana, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater FeatureThe Collegiate Whitewater Fest is a FREE race held every Autumn in Index, Washington. It is a staple of the PNW community. If you don’t know, now you know (you can always go next year). Students travel from around the PNW and British Columbia to race or offer support...
The Dynamic Married Duo by kylethomas | Aug 12, 2019 | Creeking, Dynamic Duo, Whitewater, WW DisciplinesOnce upon a time, a paddling dudette and a paddling dude decided to take their relationship to new heights. Get married? No, they already tied the knot. Get a dog? Nah, you probably already read about Oliver the Adventure Corgi in the Jackson Kayak Karma RG. They...
Nisqually River Clean Up by kylethomas | Jul 20, 2019 | WhitewaterThis year, I participated in the Nisqually River Clean Up for the first time. The Nisqually River Clean Up is an annual event to 1. Heighten awareness and appreciation of the Nisqually River; 2. Celebrate the river’s unique attributes; 3. Foster stewardship of the...
Becoming an ACA Instructor by kylethomas | Jun 21, 2019 | Antix, Clinics, Instructional, Nirvana, Whitewater, Whitewater InstructionOver the past five years, I have volunteered a tremendous amount of time to the American Canoe Association (ACA). I have been teaching whitewater and sea kayaking for the past decade, but have only been ACA certified for the past five years. Teaching has always gone...
“BC Class III” – Thompson River by kylethomas | Jun 12, 2019 | Antix, Creeking, Video, Whitewater, WW DisciplinesThe Thompson River in British Columbia is the largest tributary of the Fraser River. It is frequently paddled at flows of 250-600 cms (~12,400 CFS – 21,200 cfs). That’s a lot of water! It’s important to make this flow conversion from cubic meters per second to...
