From Urban Recreation to Whitewater Training | MRS Recent Highlights

MRS Recent Highlights | From Urban Recreation to Whitewater Training

From urban waterways to mountain streams, from relaxed paddling to professional whitewater training, MRS communities across China have recently come together for a diverse range of outdoor water adventures.

Across different regions and waterways, MRS packrafts have accompanied paddlers into city rivers and lakes, remote valleys and mountain streams, bringing lightweight, versatile access to the water and turning countless outdoor moments into lasting memories.

01 | Greater Bay Area — Otter: A Wild Paddling Adventure

Otter brought a group of paddlers to two distinctive waterways in Yangshan and Qinglian, Guangdong, discovering two very different aquatic experiences shaped by the region’s unique karst landscape.

While passing through a rapid section, the group encountered an overturned SUP and a dog that had accidentally fallen into the water. Struggling in the fast-moving current, the frightened dog was quickly approached by the paddlers, who safely brought it aboard their packraft. At the same time, they helped the SUP paddler get back onto the board.

On a small packraft, there was room for more than just adventure — there was room for people to look out for one another.

Otter paddling adventure in Guangdong Packrafting in the Greater Bay Area Paddlers on a Guangdong waterway
MRS packrafts during the Otter adventure

02 | Chongqing — Gopaddle: Wuxi ACA Level 3 Professional Whitewater Training

In July, deep in the Wuxi river valley, two sessions of Gopaddle’s MRS Packraft ACA Level 3 Skills Training successfully came to an end.

Under the intense summer sun, all participants remained committed to hands-on practice, repeatedly working on essential whitewater skills including boat control, wave negotiation and river reading. A number of participants successfully completed the training and earned their official ACA Level 3 certification.

Among them was a 12-year-old boy who initially approached the training with considerable hesitation. During his ferrying practice, the current carried him downstream, but his instructor stayed alongside him throughout, offering guidance and reassurance.

Gradually, he overcame his fear and began practicing independently. As his confidence grew, so did his technical skills, ultimately leading to an excellent result at the end of the course.

ACA Level 3 whitewater training in Wuxi Whitewater skills practice in Chongqing Instructor guiding a young paddler Gopaddle ACA Level 3 training session

03 | Guizhou — Qianfu Club: Progressive Whitewater Training

Qianfu Club introduced a two-level whitewater training program covering river reading, current identification, fundamental boat control and water safety.

Participants worked through different sections of the river to experience the challenges and excitement of shallow whitewater. The program also invited Mr. Wang, a veteran whitewater paddler with 30 years of experience in Guizhou, to share advanced techniques including catching waves, high and low braces, and navigating eddies.

During one training session, an unexpected rescue demonstrated the practical value of whitewater skills.

A visitor on the riverbank accidentally fell into the water and, unable to swim, was carried downstream by the current. Participants immediately put their training into practice, accurately deploying throw bags and completing a controlled rescue, successfully bringing the person back to shore.

An unexpected moment on the river became a powerful reminder: whitewater training is not only about improving technique, but also about building the skills and confidence needed to respond when safety matters most.

Qianfu Club whitewater training in Guizhou Progressive whitewater skills practice Paddlers practicing river safety skills Whitewater rescue training in Guizhou

04 | Xi’an — Fulai Store: A Journey Through Yanming Lake Wetland

On July 4, Fulai Store in Xi’an created a restorative, lightweight water adventure at Yanming Lake Wetland, taking participants deep into the heart of the wetland.

Led by an outdoor nature educator with more than ten years of experience, the group explored the ecological connections between land and water while learning about the wetland environment.

Using microscopes, participants observed microscopic organisms from the lakebed and gained a closer look at the vibrant life beneath the surface.

The journey also became an opportunity to give something back to the environment. During the paddle, everyone spontaneously joined a shoreline and water clean-up, collecting floating plastic and other debris.

After returning to shore, the group discovered large clusters of apple snail eggs. The accompanying nature educator used the opportunity to explain the ecological impact of invasive species and the potential threats they pose to local aquatic ecosystems, plants and wildlife.

Exploring Yanming Lake Wetland by packraft Nature education at Yanming Lake Wetland
Wetland clean-up and paddling activity

05 | Chengdu — Fengma Off-Road Club: A Team River Journey on the Daning River

Even temperatures reaching 40°C could not stop the group’s enthusiasm for getting on the water.

In July, Fengma Off-Road Club successfully completed a team river journey along the Daning River.

Twelve MRS packrafts and 18 paddling enthusiasts traveled downstream together, following the river through spectacular mountain scenery.

During the day, the group chased waves and explored the river. In the evening, they gathered together over authentic Chongqing hotpot and Wuxi grilled fish.

Wild rivers, mountain landscapes and local food — a river journey made for sharing.

Fengma Off-Road Club on the Daning River Team packraft journey through mountain scenery Paddlers traveling downstream on the Daning River

06 | Zhejiang — SLACLUB: Diverse Water Experiences

SLACLUB Paddling Club has been developing a diverse range of water-based experiences across multiple locations, combining relaxed activities for beginners with more advanced whitewater progression.

At the Jingning training base, SLACLUB developed a systematic whitewater training program incorporating a slalom course — the first of its kind in China.

With structured training, beginners can quickly build essential skills such as wave negotiation and obstacle avoidance, before progressing toward more challenging whitewater experiences and discovering the thrill of the rapids.

SLACLUB whitewater training in Zhejiang Slalom course at the Jingning training base Paddlers progressing through whitewater skills

07 | Wuxi — BLACKMOUNTAIN: Bringing the Water Closer to the City

BLACKMOUNTAIN has been creating a variety of urban water experiences in Wuxi, proving that you don’t always have to travel deep into the mountains to enjoy the outdoors.

Every week, the community hosts regular paddling sessions on Lihu Lake. As the sun sets, paddlers move quietly across the water, surrounded by golden light, orange skies, occasional rainbows and a gentle evening breeze.

BLACKMOUNTAIN has also introduced playful water-based competitions. Participants form packraft fleets to explore the waterways together, followed by water tug-of-war and fun flag-football-style challenges — bringing a strong sense of play and friendly competition to the water.

BLACKMOUNTAIN urban paddling in Wuxi Evening paddling on Lihu Lake Urban packraft fleet in Wuxi Water-based community competition Packraft activities on Lihu Lake BLACKMOUNTAIN community paddling event

08 | Changzhou — HMAPPY: Coming Together Through a Shared Passion

Based in Changzhou, Jiangsu, HMAPPY has been creating warm, diverse and community-driven water experiences, bringing MRS paddlers together through a shared love of the outdoors.

For its fourth annual offline anniversary gathering, HMAPPY chose the White Beach at Dingdang Valley as the setting.

More than 80 water enthusiasts gathered by the lake, with over 40 MRS packrafts lined up across the water.

People came from different places, but the reason was the same: a shared passion for being on the water.

With lightweight packrafts, the group came together for a relaxed lakeside gathering — simple, social and full of the spirit of exploration.

HMAPPY anniversary gathering in Changzhou MRS packrafts gathered at Dingdang Valley HMAPPY lakeside paddling community
MRS packrafts during the Otter adventure

09 | Guangzhou — MRS × NIO × Otter: Taking the Adventure Beyond the Road

On August 1, MRS teamed up with the NIO ES8 and the Otter community for a mountain and stream adventure at Xiyue Camp in Conghua, Guangzhou.

A packraft on the roof. A mountain stream beneath your feet.

With an MRS packraft, the journey can naturally continue from the road to the water, seamlessly connecting everyday travel with outdoor exploration.

This cross-industry collaboration opened up a new way for NIO owners to experience life on the water, while showcasing one of the defining advantages of packrafting: the freedom to head out whenever you want, and paddle wherever the journey takes you.

MRS and NIO mountain and stream adventure NIO ES8 and MRS packraft at Xiyue Camp Packraft adventure near Guangzhou Taking the packraft beyond the road Otter community outdoor exploration MRS packrafting on a mountain stream

10 | Yunnan — Nomad Yunnan: IPFF International Packraft Film Festival Tour

From August 1 to 9, during the 2026 Dianchi International Coffee Culture Carnival, the IPFF International Packraft Film Festival Global Tour arrived at the west shore of Dianchi Lake.

Officially introduced by MRS Academy and jointly presented by Nomad Yunnan and MRS, the special screening brought international packrafting films and outdoor exploration stories to the highland landscape of Yunnan.

MRS packrafts were also showcased on site, highlighting their exceptional portability and lightweight design — particularly well suited to Yunnan’s diverse mountain and water environments.

Here, global adventure films met the highland lake landscape, vividly expressing the spirit of packrafting: explore freely, wherever and whenever you choose.

IPFF International Packraft Film Festival in Yunnan Packraft culture at the Dianchi International Coffee Culture Carnival International packrafting stories in Yunnan
Nomad Yunnan outdoor film festival tour MRS packrafts at Dianchi Lake

Find Your Way Onto the Water

After seeing all these adventures, are you feeling the call of the water?

Whether you’re completely new to paddling, an experienced paddler looking to take your skills further, or simply looking for a quiet stretch of water to slow down and reset — there’s a way to experience the water with MRS.

Across waterways throughout China, MRS and paddlers continue to leave their mark, one journey at a time.

MRS is breaking down the boundaries between people and water — making relaxed exploration, professional training and long-distance expeditions all possible with one lightweight, versatile platform.

We’ll see you on the next river, lake or stream.
The next water adventure starts here.