Apr 19

Apr 19 The Gear Shed - Sotar Rafts

What Goes Into Building A Whitewater Raft

Picking the right boat for the right river has been our philosophy for a long time. Having a reliable boat that works for the conditions you raft on most of the time helps you gain a serious edge in your boating ability. One of our longtime favorite rafting manufacturers offered to open their doors and show us what they are all about.

Team Paddler Kailee hit the road to check out the Sotar factory in Merlin Oregon to find out what goes into building a Sotar raft. These guys are hands down one of the best boat builders out there in terms of customization and they offer an incredible range of options to get you into a boat that most closely fits your boating style. From tried and true stock designs to ground up custom builds find out what makes a Sotar such a strong contender for one of the world's best rafts.

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In our latest article (link in bio) we're talking about that strange popcorny smell that seems to spring up right when it gets warm. Fungus and bacteria take a huge toll on your body and your gear. So when your buddy be like, bro you stink, take that seriously because it can quickly lead to some equipment and medical issues.

In today's quick lesson, we're talking about how to achieve a little more power out of your strokes when you're hitting a big wave. Giving the thwart a little kick when you're pushing through a wave can give you a bit of an edge in your paddling. To do this effectively, you want to make sure you are really biting into the water with your blade and planting a good forward stroke. Remember, it is about moving the boat, not the paddle or the water. If you have a well coordinated team, you can do this in any paddle configuration to gain a little more of a push over short distances. If you want to learn more, check out our beginner and intermediate rafting series at the link in our bio.

In today's quick lesson, we're talking about layered safety. This is where we engage in safety practices with redundant backups in place. This can be as simple as 2 people in different places with throw bags, or a little more complex with shore based safety and a raft in an eddy below the shore based safety to help pick up swimmers. It's especially important coming out of winter when you may have boaters who haven't paddled in a while to just make sure we're watching each other's backs super well. Stay safe out there, friends!

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Apr 19 The Gear Shed - Sotar Rafts

What Goes Into Building A Whitewater Raft

Apr 25 What does a rafting company provide?

Mar 14 Raft Materials and Manufacturers