Our second Be WaterWise video series, produced by Deane Parker (Adventure Channel), in conjunction with the American Packrafting Association, Packrafting New Zealand and various sponsors, is a practical safety education resource for packrafters at every level. Episodes 11 through 14 form a complete arc that takes you from selecting your first boat all the way through planning a safe river trip. Whether you are brand new to whitewater or coming back to refine your systems after a season on the water, the series meets you where you are. The core message is consistent throughout: confidence on the water is built before you get there, through knowledge, preparation, and the right habits — not through expensive gear or bravado.
The first step is understanding what you are paddling with and why it fits your situation. Episode 11, hosted by Alaska Packrafting School’s Jule Harle, on a riverside gravel bar, walks you through a full boat lineup to help you match a packraft to your water type, load, and trip length. There is no single best packraft — the right boat depends on variables like whether you need a self-bailing design, how the bow is shaped for your intended current, and whether a spray deck is appropriate for the conditions you face. The same principle applies to paddles: shaft length and blade shape and size matter more than brand name, because paddling efficiency is built on proper fit, not on specs.
Safety gear gets the same careful attention. A PFD that rides up above your chin does not fit, full stop. A helmet with loose straps is decoration, not protection. Episode 12 builds directly on this foundation by covering pre-launch setup — dialing in thigh straps, foot blocks/pads, and backband so the boat becomes an extension of your body rather than something you are merely sitting inside. The paddler's box concept introduces the correct paddle hold and explains why maintaining an 85-degree shoulder angle protects your joints over a long day on the water. The guiding principle is simple: your boat should fit like a glove, and simple, intentional kit always beats complicated gear.
Episode 13, led by Glenn Murdoch, owner of NZ’s Blue Duck Packrafts, covers the maintenance side of the equation — what you do after the trip to make sure your gear is ready for the next one. The golden rule is clean, drain, dry, store. Master those four steps and you are already ahead of most paddlers.
The episode goes deeper than the basics, covering proper inflation and deflation technique, how to prevent mold and hydrolysis in packraft storage, and TIZIP zipper lubrication — a detail most people skip until it becomes a problem. Drysuits and latex gaskets require their own discipline, since latex does not forgive neglect. Safety gear, throw ropes (such as Sockdolager Equipment’s new bag), and repair kits each get dedicated attention, along with guidance on what to carry: Aquaseal UV, Tenacious Tape, and the knowledge of how to use them. The underlying message is direct — small leaks become big problems. A few minutes of post-trip maintenance is far cheaper than a rescue. For more information on throw bags, check out the review we did in conjunction with 4Corners Riversports and Four Corners Guides, “The Packrafting Life” podcast.
VIDEO #14 HERE
Episode #14 makes the case that river accidents do not start in the rapids. They start weeks earlier, in the planning stage, when decisions are still easy to change. Hosted by series producer Deane Parker and filmed on location with map overlay graphics, the episode walks through route selection from the ground up: matching a river to your group's actual experience level (planning for your weakest paddler, not your strongest), reading flow charts and difficulty ratings accurately, and identifying hazards, constrictions, and bail-out options before you ever reach the put-in.
Weather and catchment awareness matter even when the sky looks clear where you are standing. A solid trip plan covers put-in and take-out points, emergency contacts, expected return times, and essential gear — and someone on shore always needs to know the plan and what to do if you do not come back. Leave No Trace principles, wildlife awareness, and reading ice, wind, and storm cues round out the planning picture. Digital tools and GPS are useful supports, but they are not a substitute for understanding. Phones fail. Rivers do not wait. Know the river, know your group, and always have a way out.
Check out the video series on APA’s YouTube Channel, or visit our Be WaterWise Page to see all 20 videos!
