Kayaking

I thought I’d found my calling guiding clients in mountains around the world. I sought out the highs of an adventurous life, but I wasn’t at all prepared for the dark side.

Here are the shorts and features screening at annual celebration of outdoor books and movies that we think should be on your radar

Sparkling alpine lakes, the highest point in the continental U.S., and 800-plus miles of breathtaking hiking trails: Sequoia and Kings Canyon in the Sierra Nevada are far more than home to the biggest trees on the planet.

From temperate rainforests to miles of coastline; from waterfalls and lakes to hiking, backpacking, and camping; from boating to skiing to glacier travel and mountaineering—Olympic has astonishing variety.

The kayaker shares what was going through his mind as he descended Idaho’s Lower Mesa Falls

A new National Geographic series streaming on Disney+ features everyone from Conrad Anker to Justine Dupont going deep about their most pivotal close calls and mistakes

You don’t have to know much about paddling to wend the dark waterways of Congaree, in South Carolina. But persistence and a good sense of humor will help you along.

Greg and Julie Welch were relaxing at their campsite in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters when a tiny fire in a nearby bog suddenly exploded into a massive blaze that began racing toward them

The four-part Teton Gravity Research series, premiering this week, captures incredible footage of terrifying expeditions, but it succeeds because of the compelling human stories at its heart

These seven destinations are the perfect summer base camps, with plenty of adventure on and off the water

Freestyle and whitewater kayaker Dane Jackson goes big. This video, by Novus Select and Flow Motion Ariels, highlights his best moments of 2020.

When, how, and what to tune in for running, cycling, sport climbing, surfing, and more

Thanks to the rise of engineered parks, it’s now easier than ever to learn to surf a wave in a kayak

Drawing parallels with the Galápagos Islands, this marine wonderland is a similarly diverse treasure found just off the Southern California coast, home to 2,000-plus species, some 150 of which can be found nowhere else

Save on hiking and camping equipment with Amazon’s biggest sale of the year

It took me months of cold, scary failure to learn how to roll my boat in the open ocean. The effort taught me that barriers to outdoor proficiency, no matter how daunting, can be overcome if you don’t give up.

If you want a swath of stunning wilderness all to yourself, book a trip to Lake Clark, says our 62 Parks columnist of the 37th stop on her quest to visit all the parks in the U.S.

Join L. Blount as she pushes her boundaries and tries an Oru Kayak for her first time

Plan a trip to this Alaskan treasure to explore vast glaciers and to see huge whales and a diverse array of other fauna, says our 62 Parks columnist about the 35th stop on her quest to see every U.S. national park

Stowable craft that can handle whatever the water deals you

Escape the crowds with a self-supported weekend paddle

With cruise traffic set to be at an all-time low this summer, you’ll be able to have the 49th state all to yourself

Traveling with your pod? Buy out these places for private stays.

The Platypus GravityWorks 4.0 is the best filter of its kind

Grant Horton and Michael Stevens take on a seemingly pleasant journey around Washington D.C. only to be hit with many environmental hurdles.

Five campsites with views worth the drive

Make the most of the warm days with these river and lake essentials

Chile's Rio Claro is a beautiful stretch of water, some sections of which are only accessible by kayak

On a solo expedition in the Himalayas, whitewater paddler Nouria Newman nearly drowned—then found her purpose

Watercraft suitable for everyone

Wade Holland teams up with pro kayaker Brad Ludden​​​​​​​ to share hilarious tips on how to train for the spring runoff—without leaving home

Anna Levesque uses yoga to slow down and fight self-doubt

These kayak, sailboat, and yacht itineraries have all the makings of a post-pandemic remedy: wide-open space and time with friends

So-called "flush drownings" lack an obvious cause like getting trapped underwater. Researchers now believe water temperature is a key factor.

The Mexico of your dreams still exists at the hiking and mountain-biking playground of Rancho Cacachilas

Don't let your insecurities stand in the way of what you want to do

With a résumé full of wins at kayaking's most prestigious competitions and historic first descents of the planet's deadliest whitewater, Nouria Newman is considered one of the greatest paddlers around. So why can't she turn her passion into a sustainable career?

A week of running rivers around Voss, Norway, with French kayaking sensation Nouria Newman and her buddies

Adventures take a lot of planning. But what if all that stress means you don't go at all?

New Zealand's South Island is undoubtedly one of the world's most beautiful places, where golden beaches and dense rainforests border the snow-capped Southern Alps and adventures are endless. But for those of us who can't pick up and move to Christchurch, here's a definitive guide on how to make the most of your time there.

Mexico's 775-mile-long Baja Peninsula is a magnet for travelers in search of their own arid slice of adventure paradise. From surfing to mountain biking to beach lounging, here's how to get off the beaten path and do it right.

Extend that layover—these megacities have plenty of outdoor activities within an hour or two of downtown

These shorts are a summertime staple for editorial assistant Claire Hyman. The quick-drying, DWR-coated fabric is ideal for paddle sessions, sweaty bike rides, and lazy days at the beach. There’s nothing subtle about the look of these shorts, and that’s why we love them.

The 'Long River Home' follows three kayakers as they overcome challenges while navigating through the Grand Canyon

Two Outside gear editors go head to head in a contest to see who can set up the new Oru Inlet kayak fastest

Expedition kayaker Scott Lindgren knocked off first descents of the most remote and dangerous rivers on earth, from the Himalayas to the Sierra. He paddled with an aggro attitude and saw weakness as an unforgivable trait in himself and others. But when a brain tumor started to derail his athletic performance and threaten his life, everything changed.

Use the best open space NYC has to offer: the water

'Wild Olympics' is a tribute to the pristine rivers of Washington's Olympic Peninsula

In 2018, New Zealand–based photographer Mike Dawson and his two kayaking partners dodged crocodiles, land mines, and torrential rains to paddle wild rivers in a remote corner of Africa

From We Are Hungry Productions and NRS, 'The River's Call' documents a whitewater kayaking adventure on the Apurímac River in Peru

Sea kayaker Pa Arding has suffered two traumatic injuries, but 'Looking Out' shows how she uplifts herself and those around her

Welcome to a gearhead's paradise: Demo Day at the 2019 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market

Five casual timepieces that offer a pop of color and don’t mind a swim

We pulled together a few of our favorite places to camp—some developed campgrounds, some not—alongside America’s most stunning rivers

Rowing is a great workout but can be somewhat boring. The RW900 fixes that.

Why we name, talk to, and occasionally kiss our gear

Three paddlers sail to Havana in order to kayak 27 hours all the way back to Key West, Florida

You can set up your own, off-the-cuff version of summer camp in one of these stellar settings

An assortment of oars to take you where you want to go

Hoffmeister is no stranger to long kayak trips—she's already paddled around Ireland, Australia, and South America

In 'Road to 100,'​​​​​​​ kayakers Liam Fournier and Aniol Serrasolses set out to drop Ram Falls in the remote Canadian Rockies

Teach, plan, supervise, and let go

What started as an experiment will soon be available for DIYers everywhere

For active mamas-to-be, nine months of playing it too safe feels wrong. Good news: you don't have to give up on outdoor adventure.

In Cascade, Idaho there’s a family of whitewater paddlers continuously training for the north fork of the Payette River.

This video from Google Maps follows a group of five blind kayakers through the Grand Canyon

The U.S. Coast Guard closes the Potomac River any time President Trump wants to hit the links.

Classroom time isn't so bad when you're building fly-fishing rods in Virginia or barbecuing in the Lone Star State

Kayaker Kenny Unser has circumnavigated Manhattan almost six dozen times. This film explores his motivation.

Shred for the South Fork follows nine whitewater paddlers on an overnight trip down the South Fork of the Salmon River.

‘Weight of Water’ follows adaptive adventurer Erik Weihenmayer on a whitewater kayaking trip through the Grand Canyon’s lava falls

Investing in trails, rapids, and other adventure-sports assets transforms culture and cash flow

After nearly 40 years of attempts by multiple people—and at least one mysterious disappearance—Scott Donaldson became the first person to paddle alone across the 1,400-mile stretch of ocean

Don’t let the funky shape fool you