In the early 1980s, recreational sea kayaking became popular among Alaskans who already were engaged in climbing, backpacking, fishing, boating, skiing and other outdoor activities. Folding boats (Klepper and Folbot) were available, and manufacturers started producing fiberglass boats in the Pacific Northwest.
Doug Van Etten had the idea that there should be a magazine or newsletter to facilitate communication and education among Alaska sea kayakers. He enlisted his friends Marsh Rodriguez (nee Hodson), Kelley Weaverling, and others to help produce Blue Water Paddler. This was the first publication focused on sea kayaking. They solicited advertisers, maintained mailing lists, and did everything necessary to publish the newsletter and, eventually, magazine.
By the late 1980s, others in the Pacific Northwest saw that a magazine devoted to sea kayaking could be successful. Eventually, Sea Kayaker was published. This magazine was more generally focused on sea kayaking, rather than being focused on Alaska sea kayaking, was based in Seattle, and was able to capture more advertising available from the Pacific Northwest retailers and manufacturers. The success of Sea Kayaker, as well as the press of other personal interests of Doug, Marsha and other founders of Blue Water Paddler, eventually led to Blue Water Paddler ceasing publication in the late 1980s.
This website provides archived copies of Blue Water Paddler. These issues provide information about sea kayaking that still is relevant to sea kayaking in Alaska and elsewhere. They also provide some insight into the early days of recreational sea kayaking in Alaska.