Where did the last year go? Every month felt non-stop here in Moscow, Idaho, with new innovations, long days in the office and plenty of time spent where it matters most: on the water.

We stood alongside partners like The Conservation Alliance, advocating for the protection of public lands and the wild places that define our community. Our core philosophy of ultimate utility continued to guide everything we build: Gear that works hard, earns trust, and performs just as well off the water as it does on it. That mindset carried into an expanded clothing line and across our product categories, from advances in materials and construction for boats and dry wear to revamped tactical rescue accessories and an award-winning lineup of personal fishing watercraft.

They say a party won’t save the world, but community matters. We made time to celebrate the outfitters, guides and partners who keep river culture thriving, hosting and supporting events in Flagstaff, Buena Vista, Idaho and the East Coast. Meanwhile, our nonprofit partners and ambassadors made waves around the globe completing the first descent of the undammed Klamath, standing on international podiums, expanding access to paddlesports and fighting for healthy rivers in India, the United States, Europe, Canada, New Zealand and South America.

Our sights are set on new adventures, but first, join us in taking a moment to catch our collective breath and toast another year of hard work and good times.

Films

Between The Lines | A meditative fusion of fly fishing and whitewater, Between the Lines offers a vivid portrait of a life shaped by water. Through stunning cinematography by Felipe Zanotti (Z Films) and intimate storytelling led by director Liz McGregor, the film brings viewers into the world of Alex Obregon, where guiding is not just a profession, but a calling.

Dee Valley Clean Up | The Dee Valley Clean Up started small—a raft, some friends, and a singular vision: unite the paddling and non-paddling communities of Llangollen in Denbighshire, Wales, in hopes of protecting public access to the River Dee.

River Mamma | When the world told Elisha McArthur that “single moms weren’t raft guides,” she knew there was no better example to set for her daughter, Charlotte, than to trust in her abilities and follow her passion.

LEADing the Way with Zorbari Nwidor | The first time Zorbari Nwidor sat in a kayak, she knew it was the start of something special. Now, as the Executive Director of Chicago Adventure Therapy (CAT), Zorbari draws on her experiences climbing, camping and kayaking with CAT to introduce Chicago youth to the healing powers of the outdoors.

PTW III: Paddle Tribal Waters Academy | To help the Indigenous youth of Paddle Tribal Waters prepare for their historic descent of the Klamath River, Rios to Rivers joined forces with World Class Kayak Academy for an education like no other.

Stories

Ladies of Lodore | Skinny dipping, raft trips and inflatable dinosaurs might not be the most traditional salve for trauma, but a trip down the Gates of Lodore with an all-women, all-veterans crew let Bettina Freese lean into loss and find healing in grief.

Who Gets to Run the River Tomorrow? | In December 2024, the National Park Service announced proposed changes to permit costs for the Grand Canyon, prompting author and semi-reformed dirtbag Eric Johnson to question if it’s possible to put a price on paddling our most precious places—and if we must, who should bear the cost?

Breaking the Surface | While some athletes head to competition in search of medals, Indian paddler Naina Adhikari sought something more powerful at her first freestyle world championships: community and the chance to prove she belonged.

Indus Calling | Armed with satellite imagery and an obsession for exploration, Ben Orkin headed to Pakistan with kayak in tow, lured by the desire to experience the Rohndu Gorge for himself.

How to Look Good for NASCAR Night: A Cautionary Tale | There’s your dream trip, and then, there’s Andrew Linsenmann’s Middle Fork misadventure. Andrew’s hilarious saga of unfortunate events proves with the right attitude (and maybe an inflatable couch) you truly can get through anything.

Ski to SUP Lake Tahoe: A PaddleWays Adventure | Linking a ski tour and SUP paddle in Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay proved even more challenging than Ryan Salm had anticipated. But with patience, planning and PaddleWays, it all came together: conditions, crew and route.

Gear

“Built for the river, ready for whatever.”

The above phrase isn’t a slogan. It’s our design philosophy. Every piece of NRS gear centers around two questions: Would I use this? And, Would I recommend it to my friends? In 2025, even as our product offerings expanded with new boats and apparel, our goal stayed the same: guide-inspired gear built for life on—and beyond—the river.

2025 Clothing Line

River people are rarely just river people. We’re also climbers, bikers, hikers, parents, students, skiers, first responders… the list goes on. Our 2025 collection pairs technical fabrics with adventure-ready designs, be it grabbing ice cream in town, hitting the trails or a week-long float.

Approach 138 & Boundary 100

Built with the same high-quality materials and construction methods as our full-sized rafts, the addition of the Approach 138 and the Boundary 100 personal fishing rafts brings new versatility to our fishing line, helping anglers venture off the beaten path for unparalleled access to fish without compromise.

Pilot Access SAR Knife

We’re proud to apply our whitewater legacy and expertise to crafting professional-grade products designed specifically for the complex demands and environments faced by emergency responders and rescue professionals.

Campfire Flannel

Like its cousin the NRS Guide Shirt, the Campfire Flannel is built for the lifestyle we want to lead. It’s soft and stretchy enough to wear under your waders or for getting your firewood prepped for winter, cozy enough that you’ll stash it in your dry bag for camp and classy enough for a first date.

Snooze Pad Lite

With a lighter-weight TPU-coated nylon and a smaller roll size than it’s bigger sibling, the Snooze Pad Lite delivers durable waterproof comfort for an on-the-go lifestyle where luxury doesn’t need to come last.

Lucid PFD

This year, we brought our advances in Orbit Fit™ technology and Every Body Design™ to build our most comfortable mesh-back and entry-level PFD ever. Just because the casual paddler doesn’t need all the bells and whistles doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the same elite fit, performance and comfort.

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2026 is coming at us faster than a rogue wave, and with that, we say, “all forward.”

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Photography courtesy of Ryan Salm, Jasper Gibson, John Webster, Jens Klatt, Margeaux Bestard, Ben Herndon, Zento Slinger, Scott Martin, Michael Hagadorn and Ben Kitching.