The carbon-fiberglass blend shaft and carbon/plastic blade make the Aqua Bound Sting Ray the right choice for those who plan to cover some distance and want to reduce fatigue. I love the feel of this paddle in the water; it is high performing but allows for more of a relaxed paddle stroke, meaning I can still cover some miles with horizontal strokes. I usually recommend the Aqua Bound Sting Ray Paddle to those who want to upgrade from their first entry level paddle, but are not ready to invest $300-$400. This gives you the feel of high-end, with a middle of the road price. Hard to beat that!

Order this paddle on Tumalo Creek’s online store, or read more specs and our official description. You can also check out Drew’s quick and simple demo video below:

The Aqua Bound Manta Ray Paddle offers a great value and a great performance for an entry level paddler. We use a lot of these in our rental demo fleet, which shows they are great quality, lasting season after season, without breaking the bank. Our customers who are trying out paddling for the first time usually get attached to their demo paddle, and this is often what they will buy with the purchase of their first rec boat.

This is also a great paddle for those who are looking to continue to improve. The ferrel on the shaft makes it easy to break down or feather for more aggressive paddling. If you are a recreational kayaker looking for a great place to start your fun on the water, you gotta check out the Manta Ray from Aqua Bound Paddles.

See all the specs on our online store Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. This paddle is priced at just 89.95 and we’ll throw in shipping.

Check out Drew’s video demonstration of the Aqua Bound Manta Ray below:

I’ve been raft guide and been whitewater canoeing for years and it has been a real challenge to find a rescue jacket that actually fits, seeing as it seems they are all made for guys. This is definitely a unisex PFD, but I can get the right fit with a small adjustments. The panel in the front stays out of the way when I’m in my canoe or kayak and the big pockets are plenty for all I have to bring when I’m teaching classes. I have a lot of friends who kayak and raft recreationally and really like having this jacket because it has all the safety features without the bulk.

One of my favorite parts of this jacket, I have to admit, is the really cool design. Astral Buoyancy issues just a few limited edition lifevests a year that are made in small batches in their factory in Ashville, and the one I have is called “Dark Water.” It was actually inspired by Tibetan thangka artwork! The images in this blog were taken from Astral’s website showing the inspiration and the final design.

See the specs and pricing for the Astral GreenJacket PFD on Tumalo Creek’s online store, and watch a quick video about the coat featuring Drew Oldfield, Tumalo Creek’s whitewater kayaking expert:

Okay… we do have a special place in our hearts here for the folks over at Ruff Wear. They are our neighbors, with their company based right here in Bend, Oregon. They are also our friends, and we love seeing them out on the river or at our events here at Tumalo Creek.

So while we may be particularly biased that the Ruff Wear Portage Float Coat is the best doggie PFD out on the market for your furry friend, we also know it is the truth! This coat was designed to keep your pooch afloat if he or she happens to go overboard on a raft trip, and will help your dog feel more floaty in flatwater, giving her more time to play. It’s comfortable and adjustable too.

We’ve got lots of shop dogs here at Tumalo Creek, and in the video below our white water expert, Drew Oldfield demonstrates how the coat works and come of its best features. His dog Hank is happy to put it on because he knows it’s time to play in the water.

I’ve been working as a whitewater professional for decades working as far north as Alaska and as far south as Ecuador, where I teach whitewater rescue to local guides. But during the summers in Central Oregon, I spend a lot of time in my kayak, and the Stohlquist Descent PFD is a great all-around choice for those who are often in situations that may require some river rescue.

The shoulder protection is great for hiking a few yards or a few miles with your kayak on your shoulder and it has all the features you would expect with a rescue vest including tons of pockets, a D-ring and a huge main pocket for your camera or rescue ropes. And of course there is a quick releasing rescue harness, a must have if you helping swimmers or gathering up gear.

You can read our official description of the Stohlquist Descent PFD below, and check out the specs on Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe’s online store.

If you are looking for a PFD that quickly feels like it is part of your body, the Stohlquist Rocker Lifejacket will definitely fit the bill. I can’t stand the sloppy and abrasive way that some lifejackets fit me, and the Rocker feels more like a glove. There is also this great grippy fabric on the inside that prevents it from riding up. And like most whitewater jackets these days, you can just pull it on over your head, for quick and easy on and off.

If you’d like to see the specs and learn more about the Stohlquist Rocker, visit our online store: Store.TumaloCreek.com. And here is a quick description from our website:

The Rocker is the go-to Stohlquist whitewater PFD for runnin’ the big $%*@#. It’s real comfortable, and features Stohlquist’s specially shaped “Wrapture” torso, which ergonomically fits to the body. It cinches across the chest, and also features a non-slip panel to prevent ride up. You’ll get the perfect fit with Rocker’s six adjustments, plus there are three pockets for your gear and a lash tab for your river knife. Because your personal flotation device is the last thing you want to worry about when your hucking yourself off waterfalls.

Labor Day Weekend – 2011 at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe

There is no better time of year to buy a boat. With predictions of a beautiful fall, get your boat now, and enjoy it for the rest of the season. Huge savings!

Check out the highlights below:

Hobie Adventure Island – Red: $3,250  (slightly used)

Jackson Journey – Blue: $995 (new)

Eddyline Whisper Tandem Carbonlite – Yellow: $1750

Tumalo Creek NRS River Tube: $65 – $75 (depending on condition)

Rebel SUP: $850

Naish Nalu 10’6: $850

Plus a ton of used whitewater boats at the best prices in Oregon.

Attention well-endowed women: This is the PDF made specifically for you. The special “Wrapture” design features sculpted foam for support and comfort. There are large zip pockets in the front for easy accessibility and storage and the lined hand-warmer pockets will keep your hands toasty in foul weather.

Best of all, the jacket is pretty. Real pretty. A baroque floral design, a 3M reflective strip along the seams, and the variety of colors (yellow, pink, blue) means that you’ll be comfortable AND lookin’ good out on the water.

We have a bunch of smalls in larges in stock in all colors, so give us a call at the shop if you’d like us to ship one out to you, or if you live in Bend, come on down to the shop and try one on.

Tumalo Creek: 541.317.9407

Save big on boats with slight imperfections.

On Labor Day Weekend, September 3, 4, and 5, 2011, Tumalo we’ll host our Annual Scratch & Dent Sale out on the back lawn behind the shop. There will be plenty of brand-new boats and SUPs with slight imperfections available to buy at huge savings. Area kayak and canoe representatives will also have some boats for sale from their demo fleets.

Our SUP collection will be included in the sale.

This event is a precursor to Tumalo Creek’s Annual 10-Day Fall Sale, which begins the last weekend in September. Paddlers will have the opportunity to peruse some of the demo boats that will be released on September 24 and pick out the vessels they hope to buy at the end of the summer.

Tumalo Creek’s Labor Day Scratch & Dent Sale is three days only, so come down to the shop, try out a few boats, and plan to take one home. There is no better time of the year to buy a kayak or canoe.