Experience

Kayaking Cured What Chemo Could Not

By: Chris Loomis Cancer is lonely. Young adults affected by cancer know this all too well. One of the biggest contributors to feelings of loneliness for young adult survivors is the lack of belonging. It can be hard not knowing if there are others out there like you, dealing with the unique challenges a cancer diagnosis presents during the “formative” years of your life. On September 26, 2013, just two weeks after my 24 th birthday, I was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Just mere months after graduating from college, I was to be sidelined for the next 6 months...

CKS PaddleFest 2015

Date: 05.22.2015 to 05.24.2015

Join us for PaddleFest in Buena Vista, Colorado, every Memorial Day Weekend. Fun for the whole family. For more information, click here . 2014 PaddleFest | Watch Video

Women in Charge! Dagger hosts a Green River Takeover

Over 50 women met to paddle the Upper Green, and 24 continued down the Class V Green Narrows section. A raffle was held, in which over $650 was raised for the Shannon Christy Fund, a fund dedicated to getting more women into paddlesports. It was an amazing day, well captured by this video from Gareth Tate, Robby Hogg, and Daniel Brassuell. Enjoy!

Tyler Bradt explores remote jungle river

This remote, committing river features Class V and VI rapids and inescapable slot canyons and gorges. Here is the first part of this amazing journey Leg Two, Ep. 11 from Wizard's Eye on Vimeo .

Add Extra Waterproof Protection to Your Kayak

How-to blog written by Team Dagger's Todd Wells I think it's safe to say that no one likes a leaky kayak. I especially don't like a leaky kayak, so I decided to take note on a few of the things I do to keep my kayak and everything inside it extra dry. First and foremost I make sure to tighten the screws on my kayak on a regular basis (every few weeks for myself). When we paddle our kayaks we put stress on each of the joints where pieces of outfitting (i.e. seat, thigh braces, bulkhead) meet with the plastic shell of the kayak. Over time this stress will slowly loosen the screws, and to keep...

Welcome to the Longboat Revolution: Greenboat on Site Zed

By: Todd Wells Initially utilized by the Inuit, Yup'ik and Aleut people, kayaks were utilized for hunting and fishing. These long kayaks constructed of wood, bone and/or animal skin were a revolutionary invention that transformed the way of life for the North American Natives. A longer kayak meant speed and efficiency, which was necessary for the long distances to be covered in short periods of time. With a drastic transformation in boat design over the last few decades, especially within the whitewater world, kayaks have grown shorter and shorter. This metamorphasis has brought upon revolutionary changes...

Another week in the Columbia River Gorge....with a helicopter!

By: Brendan Wells I know it's a bit late, but here's a post from a few weekends ago. Rush told me that over the weekend, there would be a helicopter filming some of my favorite rivers and waterfalls around my home town of Trout Lake, Washington. I was super excited to see a new perspective on kayaking, especially on the rivers that I have grown up with and have shaped me into the person I am today. We started out the weekend by driving to one of my very favorite drainages that runs off the east side of Mt. Adams-- the Lewis River. The all too classic Upper Falls was at a perfect level and something like...

How can I retrofit my Dagger touring kayak with bulkheads?

Many touring boat manufacturers (including Dagger, until we introduced welded plastic bulkheads) use minicell foam to fabricate bulkheads. This is a fairly inexpensive and effective method of retrofitting bulkheads in a boat that didn't originally come with them. For current models, simply ask your dealer to order the respective pre-cut minicell bulkhead(s) from us. For discontinued models, you can fabricate bulkheads from 3" minicell foam. (Also available from your dealer. Start with a chunk of foam slightly larger than the area of the boat where you plan to install the bulkhead. Shape it...

How to properly throw your paddle off a waterfall

Reposted from the Dagger blog, written by Iker Beristain Throwing your paddle off a waterfall is not something you should just decide spontaneously, if you've decided you are going to throw it, you should know it before running. This move has some pros and some contras: Pros Softer landings, less impact, less probabilities to heart your back (if done properly), it’s safer for your face (the paddle can be dangerous around it), and hands (hands take big impact by holding the paddle), you are not going to break your paddle, and it can be very stylish. Contras Ones you lose your paddle it´s...

Get in, Get a grip, Get going!

Before getting it wet, hop into your kayak on flat ground to adjust the foot pegs and back band to fit you. Then, with kayak in the water parallel to shore, place your paddle shaft behind the cockpit or seat, extending one blade to rest shore-side on firm ground to lend stability when entering. Get a Grip A white-knuckled death grip can lead to discomfort. Relax. Hold the paddle shaft with thumbs and forefingers forming rings, like you’re making the “OK” sign, and keep your other fingers loose. Now you can orient your blades and gain reach without stressing your wrists. To find the right hand...

Tom Janney - North Fork of the San Joaquin

Tom Janney's very sobering account of his descent of the North Fork of the San Joaquin, which included a devestating injury to paddler Thomas Moore. Stay safe out there! http://thenexthorizonline.blogspot.com/2014/08/mistakes-we-knew-we-were-making.html

Rush Sturges in the Toyota "Keep It Wild" Campaign!

Check out Rush Sturges in the Toyota "Keep it Wild" campaign! Isn't it great to see the auto industry supporting and promoting our incredible sport?

Canoecopia 2015

Date: 03.13.2015 to 03.15.2015

Canoecopia is the largest paddlesports consumer event in the world, with over 250,000 square feet of kayaks, canoes, Stand Up Paddleboards, outdoor equipment and clothing. Over 150 seminars, speakers and clinics make Canoecopia an educational event where you can be inspired and learn everything you need to know to select, purchase and use the perfect gear for your style of paddling. Learn more about Canoecopia here !...

Jersey Paddler's Paddlesport Show 2015

Date: 03.27.2015 to 03.29.2015

Mark your calendars for The Jersey Paddler's Paddlesport Show - the largest canoe, kayak and standup paddling show on the East Coast. The show features manufacturers of kayaks, canoes, accessories, sportswear, paddling clubs professional instruction and expeditions, as well as lectures and video and slide shows of paddling trips, expeditions and paddling techniques. Click here to learn more about Jersey Paddler's...

ACK Demo and Outdoor Expo

Date: 04.04.2015 to 04.05.2015

Whether you're a novice or expert, Demo Days is a great event for any paddler to attend. It's absolutely free and an opportunity to try out 80+ models, talk with representatives from top brands in the industry, and save up to 30% on select kayaks. This is our favorite event to put on every year and it's always a ton of fun - we hope to see you out there! For more information, click here .

El Río Verde en Colombia! Part One...

By: Hannah Kertesz I arrived in Medellín on Thursday night (11/6) and the next day I was hiking through the jungle towards my first Colombian river - el río verde! We drove 2 hours outside Medellín to a village called San Francisco. Not exactly the same as the San Fran we all know. The streets are narrow and more populated with donkeys and horses than with cars. Jules met up with his friend who owns a hardware store full of machetes, etc and arranged for a shuttle driver. We packed in with the driver and continued down a dirt road through San Fran, pushing through the herds of donkeys. We came to a fork in the...

ROAM designer Snowy Robertson talks with RapidTV

While we were at Outdoor Retailer, Rapid Media TV stopped by to chat with Snowy Robertson, Dagger's lead designer, about the new Dagger Roam. If you were looking to learn more about this boat from the guy who designed it, check out this video.

Dinkey Creek

By: Tom Janney We had to divert back to the takeout and jam into one vehicle but luckily Rolf was able to get us a shuttle driver saving us 2-3 hours of driving. We made it through the maze of backroads to the hike in spot just past ross crossing at 4pm and down the hill we headed through a nicely groomed trail thanks to Darin Mcquoid. We were geared up and shoving off at 5:30pm, all of us had done the run and felt good bombing most of the first big drops. Jim got out to scout the biggest drop on the run since it had been 5 years since he had been down but besides that we stayed in our boats and made good...

Why I love to race kayaks!

By: Jason Beakes “Flow” is a state of mind – achieved when athletes feel completely engaged in their performance, lose their perception of time, concentrate on the moment (without distraction or dilution), and, perform at extremely high levels. Essentially, these are the moments in sport that we as athletes, coaches, and consultants are all striving to accomplish. Not only has the Flow state of mind been linked with outrageously positive accomplishments in sport, it is also the state of mind that has been shown to offer us meaning in our lives.” Racing kayaks down hard whitewater is one of the finest ways to...

Top five winter paddling accessories

Reposted from the Dagger blog, written by Anna Levesque I have to say that I’m not a hardcore winter paddler, obviously, since I run winter trips in Mexico! So, I can relate to those of you who hang up the paddle for other, dryer, sports in the winter. However, I do know paddlers who still motivate even with snow on the ground and icicles hanging from the brims of their helmets. And, I admit that when I do drag myself out when it’s 40 degrees or colder (what I consider cold weather paddling) I have a lot of fun. So, if you’re planning on getting out this winter, or spring here are my top five...

Dagger Alchemy: Performance Touring Kayak

A brand born in whitewater, Dagger carries aggressive performance inspiration from the mountains to the sea. For eyes seeking far off possibility, performance touring offers an exciting world of weekend adventures, shoreline exploration and flat water expeditions. For the control and assurance to meet the challenge, choose the kayak trusted to always go the distance.

Dagger Axis: Crossover Multiwater Kayak

Outside the box? For you, there is no box. Your tastes for outdoor adventure change like the wind and you wouldn't want it any other way. Take it to the water with a kayak that performs in them all. Relax on the lake, cruise the winding river, or get a taste of whitewater action. Dagger Crossover Multiwater - limitless possibilities.

Dagger Nomad: Whitewater Creeking Kayak

Experience the stunning, remote locations thought to exist only in pictures. Not just for kayaking daredevils, creeking is perfect for any explorer who wants to do more than test the waters. From the multi-day expedition to Class V rapids and waterfall hucking, Dagger is the industry standard for those never satisfied with standing still.

Rey del Rio Waterfall Championships

Dagger athletes Aniol Serrasoles, Todd Wells, Galen Volkhausen, and Iker Van Dusen competed, and Aniol took third in the waterfall competition. It was a great showing by the world's best kayakers. Todd Wells shot some amazing video, here: Faces of Rey Del Rio from Mountain Mind Collective on Vimeo .

Green Race 2014

This year over 160 competitors battled snow, freezing temperatures, and a monkey in the quest for the glass. Congratulations to champions Isaac Levinson and Adriene Levknecht. Notable Dagger finishes were Andrew Holcombe taking fifth, Chris Gragtmans taking ninth only three months out of shoulder surgery, and Dagger's quality control manager Wade Harrison finishing tenth! Way to go!