Ropes & Knots

The most important knot for all paddlers to know is the Trucker’s Hitch knot. It is a simple knot that…

Casting out a rescue throw line, either contained within a Throw Bag or gathered in coils requires…

Throw ropes are a critically important “life line” in certain rescue situations where approaching…

What do you do if your canoe trip begins or ends with a long open water crossing? You can paddle the big…

Running white water contains inherent risks, and every boater should learn to practice proper safety and…

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

In Kurasawa’s classic film Dersu Usala, the two principle characters, Usala, the Mongolian guide…

One of the most critical, and versatile pieces of kayaking gear is a workable length of line. Most…

One of the lowest-risk and most effective techniques for reaching a victim is by use of a throw rope. In…

Picture yourself approaching a set of rapids, with only a faint out-of-the-way animal trail heading up a…

I absolutely love the scene in Bill Mason's Waterwalker film where he lines his canoe down a…

Read this article to get tips on the process of guiding your canoe on a rapid from the shoreline with a…

In the mid-seventies, I shared an afternoon with the famous woodsman, Calvin Rutstrum, whose flagship…