Writers Guidelines || Photographers Guideline

General Information

Thanks for your interest in Paddling Life, the magazine for people who love and live paddling. Good writing is the core of Paddling Life's appeal, and we pride ourselves on publishing the best paddling writing in the world.

Our contributors are both professional writers and first-timers, but all of them are paddlers with authentic and compelling stories to tell. We cover every aspect of paddling, including sea kayaking, whitewater boating, canoeing, rafting, racing, fishing and surf paddling. The quality of the storytelling and of the adventure is more important than the type of boat in which you experienced it.

Our readers are enthusiastic and experienced paddlers. They don't want to be talked down to, and they have little interest in your first rafting trip. Query with unique and interesting ideas, and be prepared to write knowledgeably for a core audience. Story selection is largely dependent on the availability of good photographs. For features, good photos are essential.

Our standard rate for all pieces is $.25/word. We purchase first serial rights and reserve the option of using the material on our website.

Please email queries to managing editor Jeff Moag at jeff@paddlinglife.net. Feel free to include up to three digital sample images of 300 kb or smaller.

Department Breakdown

Our feature stories run between 2,000-3,500 words and always have a strong photographic component. Features should be unique and support a strong narrative. Always query first.

New writers should query with ideas for our departments. These are centered on paddling news, people and gear--sometimes all in the same story. Queries should be clearly defined and targeted to a particular department. A breakdown of each department follows:

Of Note. A running compilation of timely news, 50 to 100 words per entry.

Breakers. News reports of 300 to 600 words. Strong photos must be available.

Epics. Reports of gnarly expeditions, nonstop bro-bra road trips, and other adventures that establish dedication to the paddling lifestyle. 600 words.

Lifers. Personality section featuring compelling personalities who live the paddling lifestyle: Raft guides, river-rats and anyone who paddles for love, not fame. Run with environmental portrait. 400 words.

Players. Athlete-focused personality page, in their words. 400 words.

Jones. Gear section featuring new paddling gear, outdoor fashion and technology. 150 words/item.

Users. Gear section centered on paddlers and their expeditions. Done in three parts: a paddler or team of paddlers, their groundbreaking expedition, and key gear they used to accomplish the mission. 600 words.

Arsenal. People who live the paddling lifestyle, with a breakdown of their favorite boats for various applications. Should cross disciplines (touring, whitewater, surf, fishing.) 600 words.

Money Shot. A full-page photo illustrating a newsworthy event, with a brief description of that event. This could be a book or video release, an expedition or first descent, a competition or any newsworthy event that relates to a great photograph. 100 words.

Knowledge. How-to live the Paddling Life, not instructional per se. For example, how to live out of your van.

Green Room. Timely environmental stories, with strong photo. 600 words.

Photographers Guidelines

Thanks for your interest in Paddling Life, the magazine for people who love and live paddling. We strive to give our readers a visual experience unmatched in other paddling magazines. We're constantly on the lookout for creative images and new perspectives; we want to see paddling depicted in a way that we don't ordinarily see. We want photographs that are so compelling you can't look away.

We cover every aspect of paddling, including sea kayaking, whitewater boating, canoeing, rafting, racing, fishing and surf paddling. The quality of the photograph is more important than the type of boat or the scene that it depicts.

Paddling Life has two sections dedicated exclusively to photos.

"Still Life" is a forum for any exceptional image having to do with paddling, including action shots, scenics, portraits and creative work that defies categorization.

"Money Shot" is an exceptional photograph with a specific and timely news angle. This could be a book or video release, an expedition or first descent, a competition or any newsworthy event that relates to a great photograph.

Our standard rate is $200 for a spread, $125 for a full-page photo, $75 for a half-page, and $25 to $50 for insets. We purchase first serial rights and reserve the option of using the material on our website.

We welcome both transparencies and high resolution digital images. Digital images must be available at 300 dpi at publication size. If you send smaller files for review, please be prepared to send high-resolution files via FTP on short notice. Include your name, address, phone number or e-mail on each image, CD or DVD. Please allow eight weeks for return of photos. We keep CDs and DVDs unless you request otherwise.