About

Paddlinglight.com is an online resource for paddlers. It offers information about lightweight canoe and kayak travel, how-to articles, trip reports, adventure stories, kayak plans, canoe plans and reviews. We promote self-direction by emphasizing the do-it-yourself culture, and we believe growing paddlesport participation advances wilderness protection. Part of our mission is promoting the protection and preservation of our federal, state and local lands.

Quotes
People protect what they love. -Jacques Yves Cousteau

The more you know, the less you carry. -Mors Kochanski

Go light; the lighter the better, so that you have the simplest material for health, comfort and enjoyment. – Nessmuk

Life is what happens between the facts. – Robert Perkin

Check out Paddlinglight’s Lightweight Paddling Philosophy.

Paddlinglight’s Authors

Pedro Almeida

Predro Almeida describes how to make rope handles for your kayak. About Predro: I’m 37, married, and have a great little 4 year old boy who will hopefully be a future sea kayaker. I’m a Firefighter/EMT in one of the busiest areas of Miami-Dade county where I work with an awesome crew. Before that, I was a Physical Therapist (I’m still licensed) and before that I was a US Marine (Force Recon). I’m relatively new to sea kayaking, but I’m no stranger to the sea. I spent lots of time on and in the ocean as I was growing up; my father always owned a boat. I also spent lots of time on and in the water as a Recon Marine. Before I built my Cape Ann Expedition, I hadn’t paddled a narrow kayak before. I do own another kayak; it’s a wide, short, plastic Hydra that is designed to be paddled or sailed. It’s not the most efficient thing to paddle, but when the breeze is blowing, it can be a blast to sail. I’ve also occasionally paddled canoes. My other hobbies are Hang Gliding and Woodworking.

Rich Beaty

Rick Beaty writes about paddling and adventure at Crooked Blue Line. To pay the bills between adventures he trades in gold and silver rare coins in Boston. He’s a section paddler of the NFCT who enjoys nothing more than canoeing the great rivers of Maine. He reviews the Bushbuddy Ultra Wood-burning Stove.

Charles Campbell

Charles Campbell built and sails his own canoe: the Wigeon on which he built his own Easy Aluminum Fittings For a Sailing Canoe. He also reviews System Three Metlweld.

Bill Collet

Bill Collet is an experienced canoeist living on the mighty Mississippi in Iowa. He write about his trip on the Namekagon, St. Croix, and the Mississippi.

Christopher Crowhurst

Christopher Crowhurst is a self confessed Greenland rolling addict, hailing from Minnesota. Recently he published an innovative waterproof guidebook to kayak rolling designed to be used afloat, available at http://rollingwithsticks.com. He write about Shoulder Exercises for Kayaking.

Dave Freeman

Dave Freeman is an educator and wilderness guide. He has worked as a dogsledding, sea kayaking, and canoeing instructor for 15 years, introducing hundreds of people to wilderness travel. He and wife are in the middle of 3 year, 11,000 mile journey across North America by canoe, kayak, and dogsled. https://wildernessclassroom.org/

Amy Funk

Amy Funk writes about Why She Canoes. She runs Campgirlz.com which was created to encourage girls of all ages, from 1-99, to explore nature! It is dedicated to all girls, young and old, who have a passion for the outdoors. Is your passion hiking, bird watching, skiing, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and/or star gazing? Do you like to explore & play in the dirt? Then, you are you a camp girl. Don’t worry if you live in a city- your own backyard or local park can be a wild place to explore.

Richard “Doc” Gams

Richard “Doc” Gams writes, “After a year of paddling, I still feel I can call myself “beginner”. I’ve been paddling and camping and survived a class II run down the Middle Yough. I’m transitioning to retirement – half time at work for another year, then calling it quits. I’m 72 years old this October.” He writes about is 2007 BWCA in Last Day in Paradise.

“Eskimo” Tom Gerd

“Eskimo” Tom Gerds was adopted in Bethel Alaska and grew up in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He designs and builds wood boats at his home in Elk River Minnesota. He is an avid paddler and all season camper. You can learn more about his custom designs and building services at Finewoodwatercraft.com. For Paddlinglight, he’s written Nessmuking and Stitch and Glue Boat Building.

Richard F. Hayes

As befits a Newfoundlander, Richard Hayes lives for the time spent on the waters that wash the spectacularly beautiful shores of the world’s 16th largest island. He and his wife Chris Mousseau have enjoyed canoeing together for over thirty years, and started sea-kayaking about seven years ago. With over 9,650 kilometers of coastline to explore (not to mention the 7,800 kms.+along the Labrador coast, and the gazillion lakes, ponds and rivers in the island’s interior!), he reckons they live in the perfect place to put the VOLKSKAYAKs and paddles they build through their paces. He also makes The Simplest of Seats

Aaron Miller

Aaron Miller knows about composite use in canoe and kayak construction, and he’s willing to share his knowledge.

Jay Morrison

This year, Jay Morrison is attempting to become the first person to paddle solo across Canada from the Atlantic to the Arctic Ocean in a single year. Read about his adventure at The Great Canadian Canoe Quest. The canoe he is paddling was built with lightweight techniques.

Jim Muller

Jim Muller is a Leave No Trace Master Educator. He has been an American Canoe Association Certified Paddling and Basic River Instructor for kayaks, solo and tandem canoes.  He enjoys canoeing during warm months and winter camping (www.WinterCampers.com) during the cold months. He writes about Guerrilla Camping.

Scott Schuldt

Scott Schuldt is a Seattle based artist working in content- and concept-driven art (non-fiction, detailed and often narrative). Born and raised in Minnesota and schooled in engineering, Scott dropped the engineering career in 2005 to pursue artwork on a full time basis. His primary medium is hand-sewn beadwork, but has increasingly moved towards working with whatever medium will get the story across. ‘The View from the Canoe’ is his first step into writing and film work. The View from the Canoe Blog is found at- canoepost.blogspot.com Scott’s website – www.scottschuldt.com

Shipp Webb

Shipp Webb writes about his 2006 solo Boundary Waters adventure in an article called Up a Lazy River.