By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Tester with over a decade of experience testing stability systems on the Columbia River and in Puget Sound. The Short Answer The Aqua Marina Island Floating Platform offers a unique hybrid approach to stable water entry and exit, blending the footprint of a pontoon with the flexibility of a traditional…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Watersports Gear Editor with over a decade of testing drysuits in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Coast, and Puget Sound. The Short Answer The Palm Stikine Drysuit stands out as a robust, no-nonsense option for paddlers facing the chill of the Oregon Coast or the deeper waters of Puget Sound. Its…
Ryan Calloway is a certified white-water guide with over a decade of experience navigating the treacherous currents of the Columbia River Gorge and the temperate waves of the Oregon Coast. His expertise spans technical rescue, cold-water immersion survival, and the selection of gear that performs when conditions turn hostile. He has logged thousands of hours…
Ryan Calloway is a certified windsurfing instructor and paddling guide with over a decade of experience testing gear on the Oregon Coast, Puget Sound, and the San Juan Islands. His expertise spans technical kayak touring, SUP fishing, and kiteboarding in challenging conditions. The Short Answer The Slingshot RPM 12m Kite stands out as a versatile…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Editor specializing in offshore safety and cold-water paddling dynamics. With over a decade of field testing in the Puget Sound and along the Oregon Coast, Calloway focuses on how equipment performs under real-world stress conditions rather than brochure specifications. The Short Answer The Aquaglide Rockit Blob stands out as a…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Watersports Equipment Specialist with over 15 years of experience testing gear on the Oregon Coast and Puget Sound. The Short Answer The Kokatat Meridian stands out as a top-tier drysuit for cold water paddling, offering exceptional durability and a comfortable fit that allows for full range of motion during long sessions….
Ryan Calloway is a veteran coastal paddler with over a decade of experience guiding trips along the Oregon Coast and in the San Juan Islands. He has tested gear in freezing 45°F water off Newport and in calm bays near Astoria, focusing on durability, safety, and performance under real-world conditions. The Short Answer The Swimline…
Ryan Calloway is a veteran coastal paddler and safety instructor with over a decade of experience navigating the treacherous waters of the Oregon Coast and Puget Sound. His expertise spans cold-water rescue, surf zone navigation, and technical kayak touring, ensuring every recommendation is grounded in real-world survival scenarios rather than theoretical specs. The Short Answer…
Ryan Calloway is a Pacific Northwest-based paddling guide with over a decade of experience navigating the Columbia River and testing recreational gear across the Oregon Coast. He specializes in open-water stability tests and cold-water safety protocols. The Short Answer The Intex Excursion Pro K2 stands out as a robust inflatable option for beginners seeking a…
By Ryan Calloway Ryan Calloway is a veteran paddling journalist and former rescue swimmer who has spent over two decades testing gear in the Pacific Northwest. His expertise spans from cold-water ocean kayaking on the Oregon Coast to technical whitewater work on the Deschutes River. He specializes in identifying equipment that withstands the harsh realities…
By Ryan Calloway Ryan Calloway has spent over two decades navigating the rugged waterways of the Pacific Northwest, from the turbulent rapids of the Deschutes River to the calm, misty mornings on the San Juan Islands. As a certified guide and gear specialist, he specializes in selecting equipment that withstands the harsh conditions of the…
Ryan Calloway is a veteran Pacific Northwest paddling guide with over a decade of experience navigating the Columbia River Gorge and testing gear across the Oregon Coast. His expertise spans from technical sea kayaking in 50°F water to long-distance touring on the Willamette. The Short Answer The GILI Komodo 10.6 Yoga SUP Board stands out…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Watersports Gear Editor with over a decade of testing experience in the Columbia River Gorge and Oregon Coast. The Short Answer The Stohlquist Amp drysuit stands out as a versatile cold-water companion for paddlers tackling the chilly currents of the Columbia River or the surf zones of the Oregon Coast. It…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Editor with over 15 years of experience testing paddling equipment across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The Short Answer If you are paddling cold water in the Pacific Northwest, the Kokatat Meridian stands as the undisputed benchmark for performance drysuits. We spent three weeks testing this suit in the Columbia…
Ryan Calloway is a veteran gear editor with over a decade of experience testing kayaks, drysuits, and paddles across the Willamette, Columbia, and Oregon Coast. He specializes in identifying real-world performance flaws and verifying manufacturer claims against harsh conditions. The Short Answer The Perception Pescador Pro 12 stands out as a highly adaptable sit-on-top kayak…
Ryan Calloway is a certified paddling guide with over a decade of experience navigating the Columbia River and the rugged Oregon Coast. He specializes in testing hybrid kayaks and fishing gear under real-world conditions ranging from 45°F winter water to 75°F summer lakes. The Short Answer The Nova Craft Prospector 16 is a versatile hybrid…
Ryan Calloway is a veteran guide with over a decade of experience navigating the treacherous waters of the Pacific Northwest. His expertise spans from the icy currents of the Columbia River Gorge to the exposed shores of the Oregon Coast, where he has tested gear in conditions ranging from calm mornings to sudden squalls. The…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Gear Tester with over 15 years of experience navigating the Columbia, testing gear in the San Juans, and guiding clients through the rugged conditions of the Oregon Coast. The Short Answer For women paddling cold water in the Pacific Northwest, the Stohlquist Women’s Rocker PFD offers an unmatched balance of mobility…
Ryan Calloway is a senior gear editor with over a decade of experience testing watersports equipment in the Pacific Northwest, from the icy fjords of the San Juan Islands to the surf of the Oregon Coast. The Short Answer The Kokatat Meridian stands out as a top-tier drysuit for serious paddlers facing cold water conditions,…
By Ryan Calloway, Senior Watersports Gear Editor with 15 years of field experience testing drysuits across the Oregon Coast and Puget Sound. The Short Answer The Kokatat Meridian stands out as a robust choice for serious cold-water paddlers who demand a balance of flexibility and durability. During testing sessions on the Columbia River and the…
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