Nunziata channels his enthusiasm for this type of recreation by creating a how-to guide on the subject—spending nearly seven years compiling research and cataloging his kayaking knowledge and wilderness camping experiences.

Russ feels that kayaking and camping in canoe country is the ultimate, life-changing relaxation experience. The best part is, it is inexpensive. He wants to share his knowledge and open the doors to city dwellers and anyone else that might not have thought it possible to experience paddling in the wilderness.

Russ also invented a special portaging sling to allow all the gear that fits into a kayak to be packed onto a standard external backpack frame, so it is possible for a single person to carry the kayak AND all the gear that fits within the boat. Russ’s portage sling allows men as well as women to easily portage their own gear and kayak all at once, provided they are in reasonably good shape.

A typical kayak is constructed of Kevlar, fiberglass resins or plastic, and some can be as light as 23 pounds, but they can also prove to be cumbersome—a two man kayak, or K2, can be as long as 17 feet— sometimes longer. As one moves from one destination to another, the kayak and gear must be portaged along the journey, which can sometimes be a little tricky.

In order to create the prototype for his portage sling, Nunziata consulted his father, Luke, 83, who is a retired vocational teacher who taught tailoring and related trades for 25 years.

Russ would like to share ideas and information with other paddling, camping and kayaking enthusiasts.