Tom Watson

Explore 24 safety tips ranging from stokes and recoveries to clothing and paddling safety. Even if…

A paddle float aid is a critical self-rescue/re-entry tool for the lone kayaker. When used as an…

Adhering to the fundamental safety rule that a lifejacket should always be worn when out on the…

Mention “pool session” and the first image that pops into most kayakers minds is a class in how to roll.…

One of the considerations for deciding which type of material you want your kayak to be made from…

Ranging from casual recreational crafts to sleek racers to bomb-proof whitewater and other rec’ boats,…

By general definition, a visual distress signal can be anything that draws attention to your location in…

Of all the safety gear used by those who enjoy on-water sports, none should be scrutinized more than the…

I remember the anticipation of the spring thaw when I could finally get out on the water again after a…

Tom Watson reviews some of the changes that are in store for defining “Life Jackets” and “PFDs”? It’s…

I learned to sea kayak in Alaska, in the waters of the Pacific Ocean surrounding Kodiak Island. From…

Our skin is our body’s largest organ, the ultimate “base” layer of protection.  It only makes sense…

I had just spent what seemed like hours painstakingly loading my kayak at McCargoe Cove, Isle Royale. We…

I learned the hard way, why, at certain times of the year – during spring flooding primarily – our local…

By the most basic definition, any form of rope or cordage on a vessel is referred to as a "line".…

For blue water paddlers, a good pair of paddling gloves is a standard piece of gear/wardrobe. Perhaps…

"Red Sky at Morning, Sailor take warning! Red sky at night, sailor's delight." Almost anyone who's…

Short of actually plastic welding, there are a few quick fixes that will keep a rotomolded hull from…

There was a time not too long ago when kayakers didn't have fancy neo' nylon stuff sacks, front…

Kayakers from antiquity utilized deck space for storing gear, namely hunting and fishing accessories.…

Each year the outdoor industry pulls back the curtain to showcase more and more "stuff" for us to drool…

I have to believe that one of the first things a critter did once it climbed out of the primordial ooze…

A couple of hundred yards from the island, the huge fog-like smudge hanging just above the water’s…