A New Digital Forum For Whitewater Paddlers Launches

BY BRYON DORR

Since the popular Boatertalk forum shuttered in 2020, there hasn’t been a central meeting point for whitewater paddlers. But beginning today, August 21, a new home for the whitewater community is available. It’s called RallyCrew.

The whole idea behind RallyCrew is to create a global platform for whitewater paddlers — kayakers, canoeists, rafters, packrafters, and SUPers — to “connect, plan trips, build skills, and find events.” It’s a centralized, all-in-one alternative to email groups, group texts, forums, and algorithm-driven social media.

At launch, it’s a web-based application, but a mobile app is coming soon.

By paddlers, for paddlers

This project is the brainchild of Deborah Kane, an avid whitewater kayaker with a history in exciting apps. Her last company was the van rental app GoCamp, which was sold to Storyteller Overland in 2021.

RallyCrew founder Deborah Kane on the water. Photo: RallyCrew

“It’s the classic entrepreneur story,” said Kane. “I built RallyCrew to solve my own problems. I was juggling whitewater conversations across Facebook, WhatsApp, texts, and emails, and still missing out on great paddling events because I didn’t even know they were happening. If it was a problem for me, it was probably an issue for others. And it turns out it was. About 1,500 boaters responded to a survey last year and voiced similar frustrations.”

Photo: RallyCrew

Paddler features

Here are some of the basic features that RallyCrew will offer whitewater paddlers at launch, with much more in the works.

• Individualized Paddler Profile: Build your profile to highlight your skills, experiences, and paddling preferences so that you can best connect with others in the community.
• Event Listings: Explore a regularly updated global database of paddling races, clinics, tours, and trips.
• Trip Planning and River Logs: Plan whitewater adventures, share experiences, and access timely river insights.
• Affinity Groups: Join specific communities based on shared interests, skill levels, and paddling styles.
• Messaging: Keep all paddling conversations organized in one place.

Photo: RallyCrew

Whitewater industry features

RallyCrew isn’t just for paddlers, but also for the whitewater industry to connect with the community. Here are the basic features on offer at launch for paddlesports businesses.

• Business Profile: Showcase what you have to offer the whitewater paddling community and connect directly with paddlers who are actively seeking events, lessons, and/or gear.
• Event Listings: List and promote events, courses, trips, and other services directly to interested whitewater paddlers.
• Insurance Access: Insurance coverage tailored to paddlesport activities may be available to qualified instructors and event organizers listed on RallyCrew.

Casey Bryant Jones, Paddle School Director for Ottawa Kayak School at Wilderness Tours, has been using the beta version of RallyCrew and says it’s helping him “reach paddlers who are looking for instruction and guiding, without getting lost in social media algorithms. It is a direct connection to the community we serve.”

Photo: RallyCrew

“RallyCrew is the community platform paddling has been missing,” says Serrasolses. “It brings the whole whitewater world together in one place…I’m really stoked to be a part of it.”

Photo: RallyCrew

The original version of this story first appeared on GearJunkie.