about river reader kayaking
My name is Hastings Hensel, and I started River Reader Kayaking to offer people an affordable and healthy way of immersing themselves in the beautiful, wonderful waters of coastal South Carolina. My goal isn't simply to recite eco-facts or historical tidbits on my tours, but to connect everything in a meaningful way. To tell, that is, the story of a place.
I grew up in South Carolina and have lived and paddled in Murrells Inlet for 17 years, and I teach English, creative writing, and environmental writing classes--including "Writing the River," a kayaking and writing course--at Coastal Carolina University. I worked as a guide for three seasons at Black River Outdoors (hundreds of trips and thousands of hours on the water); I earned my Winyah Bay Master Naturalist certificate in 2023; and I write feature articles for South Carolina Living magazine. You can check out my author's website here.
In January of 2025, I completed a 150+mile "Waccamaw Direct" thru-paddle of the Waccamaw River in six days--a journey that taught me so much about this beautiful river where I guide. You can find more information about Waccamaw Direct here: https://www.waccamawsourcetosea.com
"Reading the river" is an essential kayaking skill for scouting the water before you paddle through it, and the name doubles up to pay homage to my long career as a teacher, writer, and reader of river stories. I am interested in teaching (and always learning more about) the ways in which environments shape people, and people shape environments.
River Reader Kayaking is my side-gig and my passion project, and I can't wait to take you paddling. It's a one-man band by design-- so that I can keep it low-key and local, and offer paddlers the best ecotour in the area.
I grew up in South Carolina and have lived and paddled in Murrells Inlet for 17 years, and I teach English, creative writing, and environmental writing classes--including "Writing the River," a kayaking and writing course--at Coastal Carolina University. I worked as a guide for three seasons at Black River Outdoors (hundreds of trips and thousands of hours on the water); I earned my Winyah Bay Master Naturalist certificate in 2023; and I write feature articles for South Carolina Living magazine. You can check out my author's website here.
In January of 2025, I completed a 150+mile "Waccamaw Direct" thru-paddle of the Waccamaw River in six days--a journey that taught me so much about this beautiful river where I guide. You can find more information about Waccamaw Direct here: https://www.waccamawsourcetosea.com
"Reading the river" is an essential kayaking skill for scouting the water before you paddle through it, and the name doubles up to pay homage to my long career as a teacher, writer, and reader of river stories. I am interested in teaching (and always learning more about) the ways in which environments shape people, and people shape environments.
River Reader Kayaking is my side-gig and my passion project, and I can't wait to take you paddling. It's a one-man band by design-- so that I can keep it low-key and local, and offer paddlers the best ecotour in the area.