At the start of this year’s paddling season, I found myself grappling with a double whammy of injuries in my right shoulder: a torn rotator cuff and a frozen shoulder. Combined, the two issues significantly impacted my ability to load up the kayak onto the car roof, let alone enjoy a good paddle.  It would be several more months before I would return to kayaking. If you’ve ever wondered what the options or prognosis is for kayakers with similar shoulder conditions (maybe even you!), read on. In this blog, I provide a firsthand account of the challenges posed by these specific injuries, d ..read more

Ever dreamt of slicing through glassy waters in a kayak, feeling the sun warm your skin. and leaving a trail of frothy freedom in your wake? Now, picture that you're doing all of that, except maybe you can't quite grip a paddle in the usual way, your right side is paralyzed, or your balance feels a bit off. Welcome to the world of adaptive kayaking, a place where these experiences are accessible to anyone, regardless of ability. Think tricked-out kayaks with mounted paddle systems, specialty hand grips, padded seating, or outriggers for ultimate stability. It's about breaking down barriers an ..read more

We’ve seen a lot of questions posted on kayaking forums lately asking what’s the “best” kayaking app for tracking paddling routes and fitness stats (e.g., heart rate, average pace, speed, calories, distance). Curious ourselves, we did a little digging, pouring through comments on Church of the Double Bladed Paddle, Yakkers Galore, Everything Kayaking and other social media groups to find out which apps experienced paddlers were using and what they liked about them. What follows is a high-level overview of the most oft-cited paddling fitness- and mapping-oriented tracking apps. Angle Oar has n ..read more

Nearly 19 million Americans, and roughly double that number of people worldwide, go kayaking each year. Kayaking gives people of all backgrounds the opportunity to embrace the serenity and adventure of nature's beauty, contributing to both their physical and mental well-being. It can provide a significant workout, burning up to 500 calories per hour, and improve cardiovascular health, increase strength and reduce stress. Though generally considered a low-impact activity, a myriad of factors related to injuries, disabilities and simply the passage of time (i.e., aging) can prevent some people ..read more

Note: This is a lightly edited version of a press release distributed on September 26, 2023. Angle Oar, a groundbreaking manufacturer of adaptive paddling equipment, is introducing an innovative array of new and re-engineered products designed to give people with limited strength or mobility the ability to kayak independently. The company’s paddle systems use custom mounts that attach to the kayak to support the weight of the kayak paddle while the person is paddling. This energy-efficient design eliminates the weight of the paddle, greatly reducing stress on the kayaker’s shoulders, back and ..read more

Among the scenic trees and rivers of Middle Tennessee, Rachael Cooper has built a life filled with adventure, love and the great outdoors. With her husband, Sean, and their teenage son, she enjoys a myriad of activities, including foraging, rockhounding, hiking and kayaking. Rachael was newly married the first time she tried kayaking. The experience motivated her to go several more times with local outfitters until, eventually, she and her husband purchased their own kayak and started exploring waterways near their home. “I definitely prefer kayaking on lakes and ‘low and slow’ rivers,” Racha ..read more

For kayakers, having the right paddle can mean the difference between an enjoyable and efficient experience on the water and one that leaves them fatigued and disappointed. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming for the novice paddler to decide which kayak paddle will best meet their specific needs. In this comprehensive blog, we’ll provide an overview of various aspects to consider when selecting a kayak paddle, including paddle length, paddling styles, blade and shaft materials, pricing, specialized options and blade shapes. This information is geared to paddlers who ar ..read more

Are you ready for the best paddling season ever? We at Angle Oar certainly are! We're excited to announce our new and improved line of products for this year's paddling season. We’ve listened to our customers and have created new designs and features to make your paddling experience even better. Our new products are estimated to arrive in early July, but if you place a pre-order of either a new Versa Paddle System or Gamut Paddle Holder before June 30, you can receive a $25 discount and jump to the front of the line. Or, you can submit your email here to be notified when the new inventory is i ..read more

As a kayaker, I was concerned when my tennis elbow flare-up became so severe that I couldn't use my regular paddle without experiencing significant pain. I was in so much discomfort that even the simplest of tasks, like unscrewing a jar or pumping lotion from a bottle, caused me to wince in distress. My injury was caused by the seemingly harmless activity of using a weed whacker for an hour to clean up my front and back yard. Our lawn mower had gone kaput after two years of neglect during California’s years-long drought. This year’s heavy rains, however, brought the yard back to life, albeit m ..read more

Our goal at Angle Oar is to help as many people as possible experience the transformational powers of the outdoors as independently as possible. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve our designs, adding new products to the mix, and pointing people to other adaptive resources that will get them out on the water or active in some way. Compiling this list of grants is one way we do that. Fundraising can be a challenging, time-consuming endeavor, so we've put together this list of grant resource,. These organizations may help you in your quest to secure funding for adaptive equipment, such ..read more