Exciting News: WaterSportsWhiz.com & SunShineKayaking.com Join Forces!

For kayaking and paddleboarding enthusiasts everywhere - two leading watersports blogs are combining their talents in a just-announced content merger! WaterSportsWhiz.com and SunShineKayaking.com blogs will now join forces as one mega platform. Get the inside scoop on this surprise collaboration, why it happened, and a sneak peek of future content sure to excite paddlers of all levels!
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Sam OBrien

Founder, Kayaking & Paddle Boarding Expert

Sam is the founder and editor of WaterSportsWhiz. With over 20 years of experience across various water sports, he provides trusted reviews and expert advice to help others pursue their passion for getting out on the water. When not working, you can find him kayaking, paddle boarding, or planning his next water-based adventure with family and friends.

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Nessa Hopkins

ACA-Certified Kayaking Instructor

Vanessa is a certified kayaking instructor, has taught over 500 people how to kayak, and is a senior member of the American Canoe Association. By combining her deep understanding of the sport and a background in journalism, she offers a wealth of experience and expertise to our growing water sports community, promising to educate and inspire paddlers of all levels.

Okay, I’ll get straight to the point because, honestly, I can’t wait to share the news: 

I’ve recently acquired the SunShineKayaking.com domain – and I am beyond proud and excited to announce the merger of WaterSportsWhiz.com and SunShineKayaking.com

This decision came after careful consideration and reflection on how I’d like this platform and the community that surrounds it to grow in the future – and I’m certain it was the right move to make. It’s one of those things that just felt right, you know? 

Even though we’ve been operating independently up until this point, there has always been an underlying connection between our domains – because we’ve always been driven by the same things: 

Our love of water and paddle sports – and our commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise with our respective communities. 

So, if you have a moment, I’d like you to stick around and learn more about the details of the merger – and, more importantly, what’s in store for our online kayaking community. 

I can promise you one thing: 

We – and by “we,” I mean me, the newest members of my team, and all of you reading this – are in for an adventure of a lifetime! 

A Perfect Match: The Power Of Merger 

To me, the merger made perfect sense from day one – but it’s important to let you in on the thought process behind it and explain how I reached this conclusion. 

Obviously, this wasn’t a decision that could be taken lightly. Merging two websites – and I’m not just referring to the domains but entire communities, as well – is no small feat and involves some serious behind-the-scenes organization and “logistics.” 

But these two domains seemed like a match made in heaven

SunShineKayaking.com – a website that formerly belonged to a tour and charter company – has been around for two decades now. Their specialty? All sorts of kayaking tours and on-the-water adventures. 

And when they eventually decided to use their platform to share the expertise and knowledge gathered over the years, you could see – if not feel – those years of experience reflected in the content, as well. 

So, in one way or another, this site has played a major role in the world of water sports.

However, over the last year or so, the blog started losing momentum. It became clear where the platform was headed – and I’m afraid things weren’t looking good. So, when the opportunity for an acquisition popped up, I couldn’t pass it up. 

It wasn’t necessarily a purely strategic business decision but one driven by a sense of respect for the company’s rich history – and, dare I say, greatness:

For one, I couldn’t let this domain – and its contributions to the kayaking community – fall through the cracks of the Internet archives and disappear into the abyss. Two, I saw it as an opportunity to team up and combine our respective strengths, knowledge, and experiences. 

And what do you do when you’re presented with an opportunity? You seize it, I’m told. 

So, that’s exactly what I did. 

Elevating The Kayaking Tour Experience: SunShineKayaking’s Expertise 

I’ve mentioned this already, but it’s worth reminding everyone that SunShineKayaking is not just some random website. The original domain belonged to a tour and charter company that’s been around for 20 years now. 

Why am I telling you this? 

Well, besides the fact that this is a website that has – in one way or another – made its impact on the kayaking community over the years, their team also brings a wealth of expertise to the table. 

These guys were long considered the go-to source for all things travel-related: 

Specializing in kayaking tours and travel adventures, they leave a legacy full of successful kayaking trips, captivating travel tales, and a long list of destinations. From the bays of San Diego in the West to Washington, DC, in the East, and the lakes of Austin, Texas, in the far South, they’ve seen – and paddled – it all. 

This merger is a way to tap into that knowledge, expand on it – and use it as a jumping-off point for delivering an even better experience to our readers. 

New Horizons: Enriched Content & A Growing Community

Taking Things to the next Level

I’ve been known to joke about the topic of water sports being as deep as it is wide. And even though I’ve been navigating my way through its nooks and crannies for the past 20 years, I’m well aware that I’ve barely scratched the surface. 

That brings me to my next point: 

I’ve been working hard on building WaterSportsWhiz from the ground up and turning it into what it is today – one of the top-ranking websites in the paddle sports niche. But try as I might, I knew that it was no longer something that I could do on my own. 

And that’s another reason why this merger made so much sense for me: 

I wanted to give you the most comprehensive range of content possible and cater to all of your unique needs and interests – which, as it turns out, isn’t a one-man job. 

We already share a common love of water, paddle sports, and outdoor adventures. And now that we’ve joined forces, we’ll tackle an even broader range of topics, including: 

  • Comprehensive how-to guides and informative articles on topics related to kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and all things water-sports-related 
  • Kayak fishing tips and resources 
  • Expert reviews of the latest gear and equipment with in-depth insights that will help you make informed decisions 
  • Travel guides and other essential information about the best kayaking spots to inspire and guide your next adventure 

And, of course, there’s the element of community engagement and solidarity; we hope to make this a space where like-minded people from around the world could come together to exchange stories, share tips, and seek advice from others. 

This merger will allow us to take our content to a whole new level. There will be something here for everyone – from seasoned kayakers and adventure seekers to complete novices eager to dip their paddles in the water for the very first time. 

For new reader here are some our top information post, product reviews, travel guides and resources;

Top Resources

Kayak And Paddle Board Reviews

Gear and Equipment Reviews

Knowledge And Know-how

Meet The Unified Team

WatreSportsWhiz Welcome SunShineKayaking to the Team

The merger is just one part of the exciting news I’m sharing today. The second? 

We’ve expanded the WaterSportsWhiz family, too! 

From the moment I started thinking about acquiring SunShineKayaking.com, I knew one thing – I wanted it to be more than just a merger. It was less about merely “joining” our two domains and more about forging a unified team – a collective of kayaking enthusiasts and adventurers.

The wealth of knowledge, unique perspectives, and years’ worth of first-hand experience that the SunShineKayaking team brings to the table further assured me that this was the right move to make. 

And with that said, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be joined by two new writers

Everyone, I’d like you to meet Vanessa – SunShineKayaking’s former senior writer and certified kayaking instructor – and James, an adventure-seeking, Amazon-conquering globetrotter whose passion for exploring the world is flat-out contagious. 

Embarking On Journeys: What To Anticipate

Whats Next For WaterSportsWhiz and SunShineKayaking

What do you get when you put three kayaking enthusiasts into the same room? 

A tide of great ideas! 

I’m obviously not much of a comedian, but that attempt at a joke was actually an introduction to an announcement of sorts: 

We haven’t even worked out all the details of this merger, but Nessa, James, and I have already been cooking up something special for you. 

And let me say: 

These two are about to take you on some unforgettable kayaking adventures. (I’ll play the role of the lovely assistant, of course.) 

From sharing practical travel advice and safety tips to recommending the best places to kayak – and everything in between – we are about to guide you through some of the most breathtaking destinations and waterways our planet has to offer. 

Join The Expedition: Be A Part Of A Dynamic Community 

My goal, from day one, was to build a dynamic community of kayakers and adventure-seeking outdoor enthusiasts. 

Granted, I couldn’t possibly have imagined where the blogging currents would take me; starting this blog was a leap of faith and a venture into uncharted waters. But one thing I knew is that I didn’t want WaterSportsWhiz.com to be just another blog in the ocean of same-old, seen-before kayaking content. 

Okay, I promise I’m done with the water metaphors. The point is: 

Our community is at the core of everything I do – and to see it grow like this? That’s a profound sense of pride and a dream come true right there. 

That said, I hope you won’t be mere observers on this journey. 

I want you to participate in it actively. 

So, ask those burning questions, give us your feedback and suggestions, and share your most memorable kayaking adventures and go-to destinations. Oh, and keep an eye out for some interactive features – including community polls, travel photo contests, and live Q&A sessions – we’ll be introducing in the coming months, too. 

Let’s learn and explore together! 

Nothing But Heartfelt Gratitude & Enthusiasm 

I’ll be honest; these past few weeks have felt surreal. It’s been a blend of looking back at what WaterSportsWhiz.com has achieved so far and trying to imagine all the possible paths on which this merger could take us. 

You know that feeling of dropping your kid off for their first day of school? Well, kind of like that. 

Anyway, I think a few “Thank yous” are in order. 

First and foremost, I would like to thank my wife and son. Without their support, patience, and willingness to put up with me whenever I fell into the rabbit hole of content creation, I would’ve never been able to build this community. And for that, I am forever grateful. 

Why didn’t anyone warn me about how emotional this would be? 

But more importantly, as a newly established team, we’d like to thank you for your support, the loyalty you’ve shown us, and the communities you’ve helped us build at SunShineKayaking and WaterSportsWhiz. 

It’s hard to put it into words, and I feel like whatever I end up saying won’t be enough to express the appreciation and gratitude we feel right now – but: 

Thank you – every single one of you – for being the wind beneath our wings and the waves beneath our paddles. 

Wrapping Up: Charting A New Course Together 

This merger marks the beginning of a new chapter for us. There’s no doubt that, by combining our knowledge and decades of experience, we will be able to develop this platform even further – and turn it into a hard-to-beat resource for all things kayaking-related. 

There will be some changes around here – the good kind, of course – in the coming weeks. But if there’s one thing that will always stay the same, it’s this: 

Our unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch content to our ever-growing community. 

We promise to continue sharing valuable insights, practical advice, and resources that educate – and, above all, inspire – paddlers of all levels. 

Stay tuned; adventure awaits! 

Photo of author

Sam OBrien

Sam is the founder and editor of WaterSportsWhiz. With over 20 years of experience across various water sports, he provides trusted reviews and expert advice to help others pursue their passion for getting out on the water. When not working, you can find him kayaking, paddle boarding, or planning his next water-based adventure with family and friends.

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