Courage, adventure and inspiration, today's top paddling stories include a young hero, expert skills, family expeditions and unforgettable adventures.

An eight-year-old helped save his grandfather after the pair capsized while kayaking on the Vale coastline in South Wales. As strong currents swept Marley Jones and his grandfather David ‘Dai’ Jones away from shore, Marley remained calm and called for help.

“When I called my Nan, I told her I was okay, but Granscha looked like he was drowning and we needed help,” Marley told rescuers after the incident.

Marley and his grandfather were kayaking on a vacation in May when they capsized. While the weather was warm and sunny, the outing quickly turned into an emergency when the pair found themselves in the freezing sea, unable to get back on board.

“I was getting tired and cold, and there was a point where I wasn’t sure I’d make it. But I was trying to stay positive and keep calm for Marley because I didn’t want him to be frightened,” Dai told the Barry Dock Lifeboat Station after the incident…

After paddling the Mississippi River source to sea and thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail with her kids, Nikki Bettis sets her sights on a new expedition.