In Today’s Newsletter: From technique debates to dream destinations and on-the-water know-how, this week’s lineup covers everything from mastering the goon stroke to spotting incoming weather.
The Reality Of Whitewater And Parenthood
When Elisha McArthur agreed to let filmmaker Sarah Hamilton make a short film about her life, she had no idea how far her story would reach. The next thing she knew, River Mamma was winning Best Short at the 5Point Film Festival, being declared a Finalist at the Banff Mountain Film Festival, and being screened at various other film festivals across the U.S. and internationally. Most recently, River Mamma won Best Rafting Film at the 2026 Paddling Film Festival.
The film’s name refers to a nickname Elisha was given just after Charlotte was born. She says that as a single mom with a baby who was less than a year old, she felt pressured to get a “real job.”
“But I had this realization that if I was going to be the best mom I could be, I had to be the best me I could be,” she says. “Which meant doing what I love.”
In Defense Of The Goon Stroke
The surprisingly useful stroke canoeists love to hate.
Sweepstakes
Enter To Win 1 of 2 Salus Ungava PFDs
The Salus Ungava is a premium touring life jacket designed for serious comfort and performance on the water.
10 Luxurious Destinations For Honeymooning Kayakers
If you're dreaming of a kayak adventure for your honeymoon, here's a world of romantic paddling possibilities in exotic kayak destinations.
Ask An Expert:
“Are there simple signs I can watch for to predict if bad weather is on the way while I’m paddling?”
Changes in wind direction hint at coming weather. A counter-clockwise shift in wind direction (“backing” in mariner parlance) predicts approaching low pressure with its attendant low clouds, strong winds and miserable weather. A clockwise shift in wind direction (known as “veering”) is a sure sign of approaching high pressure, with fewer clouds, lighter winds and pleasant weather. Wind typically backs from west to east and veers from east to west.
Rising humidity and shifting winds can cause tree leaves to flip before a storm, revealing their paler undersides. Some flowers may close to protect their pollen, a subtle sign of nature preparing for rough weather.
Nature offers clues too. Birds fly lower before storms because the insects they feed on stay close to the ground in low-pressure, humid air. High-flying birds usually signal good weather.
Want more time-tested wisdom? 🌦️ In A Paddler’s Guide To Predicting The Weather, Conor Mihell shares nine classic signs every paddler should know.
Have a question? Reply to this email to submit your paddling-related question, and we’ll do our best to answer it in an upcoming newsletter.
From Prison To Eight-Time SUP World Record Holder
David Haze's transformational journey will see him attempt 33 more SUP-related world records.
Inside The Whitewater Accident That Led To An Underwater Amputation
A Lithuanian whitewater rafter with 50 years of experience was scouting rapids on the remote Franklin River in Tasmania when he slipped, falling into the rapids and wedging his leg between the rocks. So began a more than 20 hour rescue effort.
