ARC Holiday Gift Guide: Whitewater Boaters
Whether the whitewater paddler in your life is a beginner or a pro river guide, we’ve got the perfect gift ideas. We have suggestions here for whitewater boaters of any type, but as always, feel free to shoot us an email or call us at 800-442-4837 for recommendations, sizing info, or any gear questions you might have. Happy holidays from the ARC crew!
Dagger Phantom : $1259
For those who like to go fast, the Dagger Phantom perfectly blends speed and volume. A well-rounded contribution to the fast creeker category, the Phantom performs beautifully on big, pushy water and maneuvers deftly on edge. The Phantom comes in one universal size, so it’s an uncomplicated gift for someone getting into racing.
Pyranha Machno: $1429
Perfect for beginners who want a boat that grows with them, the redesigned Machno is a dream to paddle from class II to class V. With softer edges and enough volume to reassure beginners, the Machno will easily become a designated big water boat once you’ve graduated to something a little more playful. Plenty of rocker in the bow and stern and predictable chines make this boat a creek conqueror that will earn its place in any paddler’s quiver for years to come. Machno? Mach-yes.
Werner Powerhouse: Starting at $260
For maximum power and optimized swing weight and durability, the Werner Powerhouse is the final word in river running paddles. Ideal for stronger paddlers who want the most control out of every stroke, the Powerhouse offers 720 sq cm of surface area but weighs only 34 oz. For those who need extra wrist support, the Powerhouse also comes in an ergonomic bent shaft version.
And, for the giftee who already has everything, consider a 4-piece breakdown model ideal for backup. There are few things worse than finding oneself up a creek without a paddle, so set them up with a solid plan B.
Kokatat HustleR: $229
For the river guide in your life, a new rescue vest can never go amiss. Constructed from 500 denier Cordura® nylon and PVC-free Gaia® foam, the HustleR blends bomber durability with supreme comfort. Curved panels form gently to the torso, and the foam is seriously soft. Complete with a quick-release belt for towing, the HustleR is one of the most comfortable yet functional vests we’ve tried on.
Kokatat’s Icon: Starting at $1270
Dry wear isn’t just about comfort- it’s also one of the most important safety tools in any whitewater paddler’s kit. Cold water kills, and for those looking to extend their season with high quality dry wear, you can’t go wrong with Kokatat’s Icon series. A comfortable back entry and breathable Gore-Tex® construction make this suit lightweight and easy to move in. The women’s version features a full drop seat relief zipper for when nature calls.
Shred Ready Zeta: $169.95
A perfect first helmet, the Shred Ready Zeta will complete any new paddler’s safety kit. The Zeta features graded sizing, and the fit is tailored with the easy-to-use BOA retention system, which only requires one hand to adjust. The wide brim is perfect for west-east flowing rivers where the sun is often in your eyes. Comfy fit pads and cool two-tone colors round out this helmet for any boater who needs durable protection.
Thermo Hood: $25.00
The .5 mm neoprene Thermo Hood from Immersion Research keeps your noggin toasty in chilly water. It’s low-profile enough to fit under a helmet, covers the ears, and stays put with the built-in chin strap. What more could your year-round boater friends ask for?
Fox 40 Whistle: $6.95
The Fox 40 Whistle is the stocking stuffer that might just save a life. Super loud and designed to work in the harshest of conditions, the Fox 40 is the gold standard of boating whistles.
Note: colors are assorted and whistles come with a lanyard.
Rumpl Nanoloft Puffy: $179
Ideal for everything from river trips to road trips, the Rumpl Nanoloft Puffy is the perfect partner for wanderlust-inspired journeys. Each Rumpl Puffy is constructed from recycled materials, treated with a DWR coating, and equipped with a Cape Clip and corner loops for ultimate versatility. It’s equally at home snuggled on the couch or rigged up as a hammock under quilt. The Nanoloft is Rumpl’s warmest synthetic blanket, which means it's the perfect sub for a sleeping bag in mild weather, and it rolls up small enough to fit in a whitewater boat’s stern for overnight trips.
Rumpl Beer Blanket: $8.00
As the puffy blanket's (much) littler cousin, the Rumpl Beer Blanket keeps hands warm and drinks cold, and stuffs into its own tiny little pocket when you’re done. It’s the ultimate stocking stuffer for any beer drinking paddler, and packs down so small and light that it’ll earn a place in even the most compact camp kitchen set.
NRS Co-Pilot Knife: $49.95
A river knife can save a life. Ropes, branches, and tangled clothing all represent significant entrapment hazards, and the best way to prepare for such a situation is with a high quality, easily accessible river knife. The NRS Co-Pilot Knife is the perfect size to stay out of the way, and features a safety tip, oxygen tank valve wrench, and bottle opener for the takeout. It locks into any standard PFD lash tab, so it’s there when you need it, even if you never expect to.