At some point in the past 20 years, boating got way too serious. Every new model was designed for charging hard in gnarly conditions. Sure, surf kayaks built for aerial maneuvers and creekboats with hulls that plow over waterfalls helped push the sport. But most boaters were left behind. This year we’re giddy to report that the pendulum has swung back to accessibility. Most of the boats we tested had playful designs suitable for intermediate conditions, from Class III whitewater to forgiving beach breaks. Liquidlogic Mullet. (Liquidlogic) Liquidlogic Mullet ($949) The biggest story right now is river play—boats with

We don’t all surf like John John Florence. Most of us need board shapes that are forgiving—more volume here, less rocker there. But you still want one that won’t bog through turns or pearl on takeoff. To that end, these three models nail the delicate blend of performance and usability.  Channel Islands Mini 5'5" (Courtesy Channel Islands) Channel Islands Mini 5'5" ($805) Hands down, the Channel Islands Mini 5'5" was our favorite of the test. It has the speed and drive of a full-bodied fish combined with the rocker and outline of a performance shortboard. That means it works in

Effortlessly cool accessories for a day on the water.  Raen Wiley Rectangular Sunglasses (Courtesy Raen) Raen Wiley Sunglasses ($135) A classic wide silhouette with 100 percent UV protection means you won’t be blinded during a late-afternoon surf check. Buy Now ​ Mr. Zog’s Sex Wax (Courtesy Mr. Zog’s) Mr. Zog’s Sex Wax ($2) Funny name. But good, sticky results. Buy Now ​ FCS Premium Leash (Courtesy FCS) FCS Premium Leash ($27) Surfing at a warm beach sans leash is one of summer’s great pleasures. But if you must tether your stick to your leg, FCS’s seven-millimeter Premium is great for everyday use.

Just add water. And, in some cases, air. Red Paddle Sport 11’3”. (Red Paddle) Red Paddle Sport 11'3" ($1,529) Gear of the Year The paddleboard industry continues to boom, thanks largely to inflatables. Blow-up boards allow those space-challenged adventurers among us to reach places rarely touched by a paddle, and are no longer too floppy or too bulky to be considered unworthy alternatives. Take Red’s 11-foot-3-inch Sport. Lightweight at 22 pounds, it can handle everything from alpine lakes to open-ocean jaunts. Included battens make it amazingly rigid, more so than any other inflatable we’ve tested. And given that the Sport

Snag that monster brown you’ve been chasing.  Orvis Battenkill III Disc reel. (Orvis) Orvis Battenkill III Disc Reel ($169) You could blow a mortgage payment on a high-end reel, or you could get the Battenkill. This updated classic has a drag that can haul big rainbows from the Rio Grande. Buy Now Voormi River Run hoodie. (Voormi) Voormi River Run Hoodie ($129) Weather changes fast on the water, so you need versatile apparel. Voormi’s American wool is so breathable, we wore the River Run with the hood up and sleeves down and didn’t roast. Buy Now   Fishpond