top of page
NWOC Blog Posts
Search
Gear Guides
These articles help you find the right gear for how and where you paddle — whether you're just getting started on Lake Union or
planning longer trips on Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.
How to: Replacing the Seat Back Padding on Delta Kayaks Contour Seats
Step by step guide to replacing the backrest padding on a Delta Kayak with their contour seat system.
How to Choose a Sea Kayak (Puget Sound Guide)
Find the right sea kayak for Puget Sound. We break down every Delta touring model — from the 12s to the 17 — to match your size and goals.
What to Wear Kayaking in Seattle: A Month-by-Month Guide
This guide covers what to wear for three Seattle-area paddling environments: Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and Lake Union.
Drysuit vs. Wetsuit for Cold Water Kayaking
Cold water protection is one of the most important decisions you make as a kayaker on Puget Sound. This guide goes over the pros and cons of wetsuits and drysuits for paddling.
Rudder vs. Skeg: Which is Better for You?
Trying to decide between a rudder and a skeg? Learn how each affects control, tracking, and real-world paddling—and which one is right for you.
How to Choose a Kayak Paddle: Length, Blade Shape & Touring Paddles Explained
The NWOC staff's guide for how to choose the right sea kayaking paddle
Cold Water Kayaking: What to Wear on Puget Sound
This guide explains the clothing systems many paddlers use when kayaking on Puget Sound and similar cold‑water environments.
Tow Systems for Sea Kayaking
A brief list with pros and cons of towing systems for sea kayakers in 2026
Essential Tips for Storing Your Kayak Safely This Fall
Proper storage helps prevent hull damage and keeps your kayak ready for next season.
How to Choose a Kayak Spray Skirt
Northwest Outdoor Center’s guide to finding the best whitewater or sea kayaking skirt for your paddling style
End of Season Paddling Gear Maintenance
A few simple steps at the end of the season can make your paddling gear last much longer. Here's how we clean, and maintain paddling equipment at the end of the season.
Gift Ideas for the Kayaker in Your Life
A few thoughtful gifts that paddlers actually use, from small accessories to useful gear compiled by the staff at NWOC.
How to Choose the Right Kayak
Buying a kayak can be overwhelming, This guide walks you through the main types if kayaks and how to choose one that fits the kind of paddling you want to do.
bottom of page