Finding Paddling Adventures
As the summer sun warms the water, paddlers everywhere start hunting for their next great launch spot. Whether you’re a crazy kayaker, a casual canoeist, or a stellar stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) enthusiast, the right app can turn “Where should we go?” into “Let’s go!” The Go Paddling, Blue Adventure, and PaddleWays apps each offer their own take on discovering new paddling locations, from massive global databases to SUP-specific trail guides and detailed trip planning tools. Here’s how each one can help you find your next adventure.
Go Paddling App: Your Global Paddling Guide
The Go Paddling app is a must-have for any paddler. Available for free on both iOS and Android platforms, this app provides access to over 48,000 paddling locations worldwide. Whether you are looking for a serene lake, a challenging river, or a coastal adventure, Go Paddling has you covered. Let’s take a look at some of the key features and drawbacks of this app.
Extensive Database of Locations
Go Paddling boasts an impressive collection of paddling spots across the globe. Users can explore locations via a comprehensive map interface, making it easy to find new places to launch their kayaks, canoes, or SUPs.
Community-Contributed Information
One of the app’s standout features is its community-driven content. Paddlers can read notes and reviews from fellow enthusiasts, providing real-time insights into the conditions and features of various paddling spots. This peer feedback helps ensure the information is current and reliable.
User Contributions
Beyond just consuming information, users can actively contribute to the app by adding their own notes and reviews about paddling locations they’ve visited. This creates a rich, ever-growing repository of knowledge shared among the paddling community.
Privacy and Data Collection
While the app collects location data, usage statistics, and diagnostics to improve user experience, it ensures that this data is not linked to individual users, maintaining user privacy.
Compatibility
The app is designed to work seamlessly across various devices, including iPhones, iPads, and desk top, ensuring that users can access their paddling information wherever they are.
Drawbacks:
Despite its many advantages, the Go Paddling app has a few drawbacks. Some users have reported that the app’s interface can be somewhat cluttered and difficult to navigate, especially for those new to the app. Additionally, while community-driven content is a strength, it can also be a weakness if the information is outdated or inaccurate. Users may occasionally encounter spots with little to no recent activity, making it hard to get up-to-date information about those locations. One time I found a location while at the beach for vacation in SC and the launch point was a personal boat ramp in someone's backyard.
But with all that being said, the Go Paddling app is highly recommended for those looking to discover new paddling locations or share their experiences with a community of like-minded enthusiasts.
Blue Adventure App: The Ultimate SUP Companion
For paddleboarders, the Blue Adventure app is an invaluable tool. This app is tailored specifically for SUP enthusiasts, providing detailed information on paddleboarding locations and related activities. The Blue Adventures app is only a few years old and is developed and designed by the people at iRocker SUP. Let’s take a look at the features that set Blue Adventure apart.
Interactive Water Maps
The Blue Adventure app features interactive water maps that guide users to the best paddleboarding spots. These maps highlight key details such as put-ins, boat ramps, and paddling trails, making it easy to plan your adventure.
Trail Guides and Route Planning
Whether looking for a calm flatwater experience or an exciting whitewater challenge, the Blue Adventure app offers trail guides and route planning tools. These guides provide detailed descriptions of various paddling routes, catering to all skill levels.
Local Insights and Recommendations
The app includes local insights and recommendations from the community of users, allowing you to discover hidden gems and popular spots alike. This feature is particularly useful for travelers looking to explore new areas.
Community and Social Features
Similar to the Go Paddling app, Blue Adventure emphasizes community engagement. Users can share their experiences, post reviews, and connect with other paddleboarding enthusiasts. This social aspect fosters a sense of community and shared adventure.
Drawbacks:
The Blue Adventure app, while rich in features, is not without its limitations. Some users have noted that the app can be slow to load, particularly when accessing detailed maps and route information. This can be frustrating when trying to quickly find paddling spots. Additionally, the app’s focus on SUP may limit its appeal to those who prefer other types of paddling activities, such as kayaking or canoeing. Lastly, the data base of community input and experience is only a few years old, so many locations do not have much information.
But the Blue Adventure app is a good choice for SUP paddlers seeking detailed, location-specific information and a growing vibrant community to share their passion with.
PaddleWays App: Paddling Locations and more
The PaddleWays app from NRS isn’t just a map, it’s a streamlined paddling trip planner built by one of the most respected names in the paddlesports world. Designed for paddlers of all types, it focuses on helping you find safe, accessible places to launch, along with the details you need to plan a great day on the water.
Detailed Water Access Points
PaddleWays features thousands of mapped access points across rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Each entry includes details like parking availability, launch type, nearby hazards, and seasonal considerations, giving you the kind of practical info that saves time (and frustration) when you arrive.
Route Mapping and Trip Planning
More than just a pin on a map, PaddleWays lets you plan your route directly in the app. You can measure distances, mark take-out points, and visualize your entire trip before you hit the water, a huge plus for safety and time management.
Community and Conservation Focus
True to NRS’s roots, the app emphasizes responsible paddling. Users can report issues like blocked access, low water levels, or safety hazards, and the data is shared to help maintain healthy waterways. The app also encourages paddlers to respect private property and leave no trace.
Offline Access
Because cell service can be spotty on remote stretches of river, PaddleWays allows you to download maps for offline use, ensuring you’re never stuck wondering where you are or where the next take-out is.
Drawbacks:
While PaddleWays is a polished and well-thought-out tool, its coverage is still growing. Some regions, especially outside the U.S. have fewer mapped locations than Go Paddling’s massive database. Also, because the app is more feature-rich, there’s a slight learning curve for first-time users.
But for paddlers who want professional-grade trip planning with an emphasis on safety, conservation, and verified launch info, PaddleWays is an excellent addition to your paddling toolkit.
Whether you’re casting a wide net for paddling spots worldwide with Go Paddling, zeroing in on SUP-specific routes and community insight through Blue Adventure, or planning a detailed, safety-conscious trip with PaddleWays, these apps each bring something unique to the table. From global databases to specialized trail guides and professional-grade trip planning, they make it easier to find, prepare for, and enjoy your next paddling adventure. Download one, or better yet, all three, and head to the water with confidence, knowledge, and maybe even a few new paddling friends.
