Blog — Products in the Spotlight

Last Sunday we met some friends, currently from Roanoke, that we knew back in our WV days and hit the river. The Balcony Falls run was chosen for the meet up and paddle. This was our first river trip of the summer as a family. Our friends were bringing whitewater boats, so I decided to take some inflatables for me and the girls. Harriet, my wife, took a Jackson Antix 2.0 that she'd never paddled before. 

The Balcony Falls run on the James River is often referred to as the Glasgow to Snowdon paddle. It is 4.8mi. with Class II+ (III) rapids. It's a great, fun run for beginner to intermediate paddlers and a fantastic run for family adventure. 

I packed the Star Raven II tandem for our youngest (10 yrs.) and I to paddle together. The Star Viper XL was for our eldest ( 12 yrs.) to paddle solo. Arriving at the put-in, it took me all of 10 minutes to pump up both kayaks, and get them ready for the river. The Star kayaks from NRS come with backpacks, pumps, and repair kits. 

Our eldest did great in the Viper XL.

The Viper XL comes "with an aggressive rocker design and eight more inches of length, the STAR Viper XL Inflatable Kayak is built for bigger paddlers looking for an inflatable that can ride over waves, punch through holes, surf and ferry like a hard-shell." And we currently have it on sale for $896. 

The Raven II tandem was equally as fun on this float. 

The Raven II Inflatable Kayak is good to paddle "with a friend for whitewater thrills and lazy-floating fun. Or, load it with gear and paddle solo for multiday adventures. The tandem Raven II gives you unlimited possibilities for fun and adventure on the water." The Raven II is also on sale for $821.

Harriet enjoyed the Antix so much she decided to hold on to it for the rest of the year to paddle it a few more times. We have 2023 Antix on sale.

The whole day was a ton of fun, and it was such an easy load to carry to the river between the Antix and the two inflatables. The Viper XL even served as a great lunch table when we took a break. River lunches are a favorite in our family.

Our eldest has now paddled Balcony solo twice. It feels like she is starting to come into that phase of life that brings the right amount of physical capabilities with her youthful drive for independence. But she's still smart enough to follow her mother's line. 

And young enough to still love "jump rock."

Our youngest on the other hand, has been in a kayak or canoe with me since she was 10 months old. This trip was the first where she starting asking about paddling her own craft. It won't be long, and these inflatables seem like the perfect transition kayak for that personal growth. 

They are great for adults as well. Whether you don't want to worry about having a car rack for transportation, or you don't have space to store a rotomolded kayak, inflatables are a great option. Plus they are lighter!

Whatever craft you choose, get out on the river this summer and soak in the beauty of our bounty! Here in Virginia, from mountains to the sea, we have the chance to paddle in splendor! 

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.

Check out all the quality content coming from our community of paddlers, both whitewater kayaking and kayak fishing. Tune in, read up and get psyched. This is the Friday's Finds, where we seek to highlight some of the paddlers who call Virginia home. PaddleVa is about all of us. While some of the stuff shared in these posts will come from outside our waters, Virginia will always be the primary focus.

Read more

Check out all the quality content coming from our community of paddlers, both whitewater kayaking and kayak fishing. Tune in, read up and get psyched. This is the Friday's Finds, where we seek to highlight some of the paddlers who call Virginia home. PaddleVa is about all of us. While some of the stuff shared in these posts will come from outside our waters, Virginia will always be the primary focus.

Read more

Check out all the quality content coming from our community of paddlers, both whitewater kayaking and kayak fishing. Tune in, read up and get psyched. This is the Friday's Finds, where we seek to highlight some of the paddlers who call Virginia home. PaddleVa is about all of us. While some of the stuff shared in these posts will come from outside our waters, Virginia will always be the primary focus.

Read more