PNW’s New ACA Instructor Trainer Kyle

by kylethomas | Feb 28, 2022 | Featured Post, Instructional, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, Whitewater Instruction, WW Disciplines

My experience with the ACA dates back to my days volunteering as a sea kayak and whitewater kayak instructor and trip leader for Outdoor Recreation Georgia Tech (ORGT). I started volunteering with ORGT back in 2009 as an Instructor-in-Training (IiT). While in that...

BIPOC Paddling Skills Day – Greater Seattle Area

by kylethomas | Oct 18, 2021 | Clinics, Events, Exploration Feature, Family Zone, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com

On September 18, 2021, the Greater Seattle area paddling community gathered at Lake Sammamish to share our passion for paddle sports with community members. The fun and free paddling skills day was designed to introduce Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) to...

Ready, Set, Go | Middle Fork Championship

by kylethomas | Aug 9, 2021 | Creeking, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, JK Team Posts, Karma, Karma RG, Karma Rock Garden, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

After a tough year I, like so many others, needed a distraction and something to look forward to. Along emerges an idea to put together an informal (and free) whitewater race on the popular after-work “Middle Middle” section of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River...

Medium vs. Large – Reflecting on the Antix 1.0

by kylethomas | Jul 6, 2021 | Antix, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

I know, I know. The Antix 2.0 is the hot topic right now, but I want to talk about another awesome kayak that’s been a hot item on the used boat market, the Antix 1.0. For years, I enjoyed paddling the Large Antix 1.0. I am 6’0’’, 190 lbs, and wear a size 12 Astral...

The Joy of Hand Paddling | Whitewater Kayaking

by kylethomas | Jun 17, 2021 | Antix, Featured Post, Instructional, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, MixMaster, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, Whitewater Instruction, WW Disciplines

I’m going to talk about those plastic things you store in the stern of your kayak, hand paddles. Maybe you’ve used them on the river or at a pool session, but alas I’m going to encourage you to blow off the dust and take them for a spin. You don’t want your first time...

The Sky: Skykomish River, Washington

by kylethomas | May 3, 2021 | Creeking, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, Nirvana, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

Flowing alongside U.S. Highway 2 on the west side of the Cascade Mountains in Washington state is the Skykomish River, affectionately known as “The Sky.” Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t. Or maybe you’ve driven by it on your way to ski or snowboard at...

Nirvana – The Best Creek Boat For Me

by kylethomas | Mar 18, 2021 | Creeking, Featured Post, JAdventures Main Banner, Nirvana, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

I have the same Jackson Kayak Nirvana as I purchased in 2017. No hull replacements. SAME ONE. Simply put, I love this kayak! It has provided me the confidence needed to paddle challenging rivers, the safety to withstand a lot of rock contact over the years, and the...

Packing for a Raft Supported Grand Canyon Trip

by kylethomas | Dec 1, 2020 | Antix, Exploration Feature, Featured Post, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running

There are many lists online to guide packing for a Grand Canyon river trip. The packing list I provide is aimed to help those packing for a trip during the warm/hot months. Our trip was from August – September and a mix of kayakers and rafts. Temperatures exceeded 100...

First Jackson Antix 2.0 Ride on the Grand Canyon

by kylethomas | Oct 16, 2020 | Antix, Featured Post, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, rivers, Trip Reports, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

I had the fortunate opportunity to test out the Jackson Kayak Antix 2.0 at one of the greatest American treasures, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. This was my first time seeing an Antix 2.0. What better than to take it on a 280 mile test drive? Having paddled...

Paddling the Large Antix as a Sporty Creekboat

by kylethomas | Jul 11, 2020 | 2014 Karma Unlimited

The Jackson Kayak Antix, a kayak you might see in videos throw ends, sending boofs, and performing aerial tricks. Well, I use my Antix a bit different. When the Antix first came out, I was in between the weight range for the Medium and Large sizes. I am 6’0’’ and 185...

ACA River Kayak Committee

by kylethomas | May 7, 2020 | Exploration Feature, Featured Post, JAdventures Main Banner, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, WW Disciplines

Since January 2018, I have been fortunate to be a member of the American Canoe Association (ACA) River Kayak Discipline Committee. Prior to being on this committee, I served as an ACA State Director of South Carolina, ACA Director of North Carolina, and then as a...

PNW Collegiate Whitewater Fest

by kylethomas | Mar 18, 2020 | Creeking, Nirvana, River Running, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature

The Collegiate Whitewater Fest is a FREE race held every Autumn in Index, Washington. It is a staple of the PNW community. If you don’t know, now you know (you can always go next year). Students travel from around the PNW and British Columbia to race or offer support...