Product Description
From the Dee Estuary to the Bristol Channel, the Welsh coastline in all its varied guises provides a fantastic playground for the sea kayaker. The fifty journeys selected cover all of the interesting parts of the coast and provide easy sheltered paddles, testing offshore trips for the adventurous and everything in between. Illustrated with superb colour photographs and useful maps throughout, this book is a practical guide to help you select and plan trips. It will provide inspiration for future voyages and a souvenir of journeys undertaken. As well as providing essential information on where to start and finish, distances, times and tidal information, the book does much to stimulate and inform our interest in the environment we are passing through. It is full of facts and anecdotes about local history, geology, scenery, seabirds and sea mammals. It is a fascinating read and an inspirational book. ... Read more

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The south-west coast of England is described in 50 great sea kayaking voyages, from the Severn Estuary to the Isle of Wight. This book also presents all the navigational and tidal information a sea kayaker needs on this magnificent section of coast. This means that it can also be used as a kayaker's 'pilot' for any journey they might wish to undertake in this area.It follows the successful format of other Pesda Press sea kayaking guides, presenting the information in a user-friendly fashion and making lavish use of maps and colour photographs. ... Read more

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Packed full of basic, practical information, this practical guide to sea kayaking in southern Africa will be useful for both the novice and the experienced kayaker. It covers such aspects as equipment and accessories, basic paddling skills, capsizing, remounting and rescues, safety precautions, and includes an introduction to navigation. It concludes with a logbook, a float and rescue plan, a grading of routes and sea conditions and a rating of sea kayak qualifications. ... Read more

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At last, here it is ...Scotland's first guidebook for sea kayakers wishing to explore its amazing coastline and magical islands. It brings together a selection of fifty great sea voyages around the mainland of Scotland, from the Mull of Galloway in the SW to St Abb's Head on the east coast, as well as voyages in the Western Isles, ranging from day trips to three day journeys. Illustrated with superb colour photographs and useful maps throughout, it is a practical guide to help you select and plan trips. It will provide inspiration for future voyages and a souvenir of journeys undertaken. As well as providing essential information on where to start and finish, distances, times and tidal information, the book does much to stimulate and inform our interest in the environment we are passing through. It is full of facts and anecdotes about local history, geology, scenery, seabirds and sea mammals. A fascinating read and an inspirational book. ... Read more

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No other outdoor sport in the world is as easy to get started in as sea kayaking, yet no other outdoor sport in the world offers such an astonishing scope for real adventure." So writes Jonathan Hanson in the introduction to this basic handbook. With his own special brand of easygoing yet safety-first style, Hanson will have even the most tentative paddler on his way to kayaking competency in no time. Beginning with a section on equipment, Hanson evaluates and simplifies all the options for selecting a kayak and kayaking accessories. The second half of the book is devoted to technique, from first strokes to advanced turning to recoveries and rescues. Finally, he covers open-water techniques, currents, navigation, and kayak camping. With dozens of illustrations and handy "insider" tips throughout, Essential Sea Kayaking is the only book you need to get started kayaking on the deep blue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Poor Re-Write
This is shorter re-write of his earlier book "Complete Sea Kayak Touring"; but printed on poorer stock. Of course you do save $. Get the first version. ... Read more

Product Description
Enjoy thrilling days on the water with fewer worries—this comprehensive guide to kayaking shows you how! In describing both whitewater and sea kayaking, this book reveals the secrets to becoming a confident and proficient kayaker.

Kent Ford, highly acclaimed kayaking instructor and 2-time world-champion paddler, gives you a solid foundation on which to build your kayaking skills. He discusses choosing the proper equipment and clothing, fundamental strokes and maneuvers, and guidelines for safe kayaking. The book also provides descriptions of 64 of the world’s best kayaking destinations and 9 of the author’s favorite rivers.

Like all the books in the Outdoor Pursuits Series, Kayaking emphasizes safety, environmental responsibility, and—most of all—the fun of outdoor activity! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A solid start that doesn't oversimplify the sport.
Actually, it's two sports -- depending on who you ask.Ford does a great job of acknowledging and exploring the similarities and common concerns of sea and whitewater kayaking.The simple and straightforward advice on instruction and gear selection makes this a great book to read before you ever get in a kayak.It provides you with the knowledge to ask good questions and make reasonable decisions when you go to purchase gear.The book splits later into sea and whitewater sections, so if you are already sold on one and don't want to know about the other, you might shy away from this title -- don't.Expert paddlers agree that all types of paddling have something to teach all types of paddlers.Taking a few minutes to become more familiar with the other side of kayaking will benefit you, and the getting started angle of this book is too good to miss.For the undecided, or for future whitewater paddlers, this is an easy to read overview of strokes, river reading, vocabulary,and other concerns with good photos to help explain major points.Simple advice on rolling, manuvering, playing, and safety will give you plenty of things to learn as you begin to explore the awesome fun of kayaking., ... Read more

Product Description
This exciting and demanding sport is much different than it's flat-water sibling, with different equipment and techniques, all of which are covered in Basic Essentials: Sea Kayaking. Illustrations cover the many sea kayak models and accessories, as well as important information on tides and currents, packing and loading tips for comfort and safety, and a glossary chock-full of helpful terminology. With this fully updated 2nd edition, you'll discover how to perfect your paddle stroke, perform self rescues and assisted and rescues, paddle and navigate safely, pack your sea kayak for an expedition, and get your kayak on and off your vehicle. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Basic Essentials [of] Sea Kayaking
A must read book for anyone entering or considering the sport.It's a short read but is full of needed information for understanding, learning and saftey.A great stepping stone to longer more intricate books on the subject.

Use the link below to find new and used versions of this great book!

Basic Essentials Sea Kayaking 2nd (Basic Essentials Series)

Man clearly hasnt ever kayaked
Read this book, almost laughed myself silly, can not understand how this guy got published. ... Read more

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Product Description
The thrill of kayaking can quickly turn to panic if youdon't know how to right a capsized kayak. The Eskimo Roll (theself-rescue technique of righting a capsized kayak without leaving thecockpit) is the key to building confidence for all paddlingconditions. Written by the leading international sea kayakingauthority Derek C. Hutchinson, Eskimo Rolling provides detailedinstruction on how to perform this maneuver with skill andsuccess. Look inside for: explanations and demonstrations of manydifferent Eskimo Roll techniques; confidence-building exercises;action photos of the world's top sea kayakers performing a variety ofrolling maneuvers; rolling techniques for both sea kayakers andwhitewater paddlers; harrowing and humorous true-life rolling storiesfrom expert kayakers. Author Derek C. Hutchinson is the leadinginternational sea kayaking authority and has nearly forty years ofexperience. He travels across the globe teaching and lecturing on seakayaking. He has also designed many of the world's leading seakayaks. His other books include The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking, andExpedition Kayaking. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent, thorough
I learned to Eskimo roll, Pawlata style, from John Dowd's Sea Kayaking book, which covered Eskimo rolling in ~10 pages.In Pawlata rolls, you hold the paddle with one hand on the end of the paddle and the other on the shaft.My kayaking best friend helped me learn the Screw Roll, wherein you roll with your hands on the paddleshaft in the same place you have them while paddling. This came in very handy when I capsized once while goofing off and once while deflecting overhanging branches. Of course, learning to slide the paddle helps obtain the best leverage if you don't have total confidence in your screw roll.I bought this book to learn other kinds of rolls, including the hand roll.

The book also teaches sculling support strokes which kayakers, myself included, should learn to avoid panicking after a botched roll, to buy time for thinking about the next roll attempt.Avoid deadly hypothermia--dress for the water temperature, learn when not to go out, don't go alone, learn to brace, learn to Eskimo roll, learn to wet exit and re-enter, take all precautions--then practice frequently.
The price above seems high.

A great description of a complicated technique
Kayak rolling is a difficult technique to learn, because it involves several steps, all carefully coordinated under conditions that invitepanic. Despite the difficulty of teaching and learning the technique, Itaught myself to roll with this book. Derek Hutchinson's descriptions areclear and informative. He gives descriptions of a wide variety oftechniques; though many are of historical, rather than practical, interest,they're all worth a good read. He includes a number of first-personaccounts, some of which are funny and some of which are cautionary. Thisbook is one treasure in my paddling library! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Terrific guide to kayak paddling/camping in Glacer Bay
Interestingly written and very informative.His maps are rather crude but used with a NOAA map (17318, 17318a, 17318b) they are excellent guides to camping sites, points of interest, and dangerous currents.6 of us did a self-guided 115 mile trip over 11 days based on this book. Excellent description of routes almost mile by mile.A must buy if you are going to do any lengthy trip and are trying to minimize surprises.

Extremely valuable resource.Gave me courage to go solo.
Provides all the information needed for brief or extended solo trips in Glacier Bay National Park.Includes excellent summaries of a dozen multi-day trips including trip highlights, photos, distances, ratings of difficulty, likely hazards, hints for locating campsites and maps suitablefor scoping your trip.Also includes additional resources you may need inthe appendix along with phone numbers. The book gave me the courage andinformation I needed for my first long, solo trip in a wilderness area.Anexcellent addition to my library. ... Read more

Product Description
Point to Point: Exploring The Inside Passage By Kayak is a traveler’s guide for kayaking the waters of the Inside Passage from the San Juan Islands of Washington State to Skagway, Alaska. The story chronicles the three-month long adventure of a sea kayaker as he explores the 1,250-mile route completely alone. The reader experiences the day-to-day challenges faced by a long distance solo paddler heading north along the Pacific Ocean coastline of Canada and Alaska.
Information on equipment and techniques necessary to complete the journey, as well as details of the route followed are covered. Sections on flora, fauna, geology, weather, safety, and the natural world provide the reader with unique background information. ... Read more

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The western states provide premier inland paddling spots.These 13 trips range in length from two hours to two days.Each trip includes difficulty ratings, route distances and times, detailed maps, equipment lists, launch-point camping, and natural history information. ... Read more

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The first and only comprehensive guide to sea kayaking the coast of Maine--one of the most spectacular paddling destinations. Sea kayaking is booming, and Maine, with more than 3,000 miles of rugged coastline, is the indisputable mecca of the sport in the eastern United States. Thousands of exceptionally beautiful islands, peninsulas, and bays offer paddling conditions ranging from very protected to extremely exposed. There are areas safe enough for beginners, and challenging enough for skilled paddlers. A complete guide to the coast from Kittery to Cobscook, Kayaking the Maine Coast is sure to become an indispensable resource to anyone who dips a paddle in Maine's coastal waters. Although it is specifically designed for day-trippers, experienced paddlers can also use this guide to put together multi-day expeditions. More then 50 sections of the Maine coast are described. Each chapter includes suggested trips, where to find launch access, how to read tides and currents, nautical chart and map references, safety considerations and danger zones, key points of interest, and information on bird and sea life. Miller also includes clear guidelines on "leave no trace" paddling--how to avoid disturbing nesting birds, endangered wildlife, and fragile shoreline vegetation--as well as where to go to find all this natural beauty.

* Suitable for experienced and novice paddlers alike
* 38 maps
* Features a special illustrated chapter on the natural history of the Maine coast ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Useful but lacking
Good information but very general and lacks any useful detail. One can get a lot of this information on line or from the locals.

Best kayaking guidebook I've ever read!
I've been sea kayaking for 16 years, all of them on the coast of Maine, aswell as many other places around the globe. . .and I've read LOTS of seakayaking guidebooks. . .and this is by far the BEST I've ever read!

Ithought that I already "knew" the coast of Maine really well. ..but reading Dorcas' book, I realize there is lots to learn and lots morecoast to explore.

Not only has Dorcas done a superb job at gathering ahuge amount of information useful for kayakers, she has presented it in avery kayaker- and reader-friendly way.I really appreciate that it isn't abook of "suggested trips," but rather a book with thorough infoabout launching spots, safety considerations, places of interest, anduseful local knowledge.Her focus on natural and cultural historyinformation also helps me figure out places I want to explore.

Have Iused the book?Yes, this past weekend I went paddling near Kittery and thebook was helpful for figuring out launching spots and weather/tide concernsto watch out for.And when we found a baby seal "stranded" onthe beach, I knew that there was a phone number in Dorcas' book that wecould call to report the "stranding" and help out the seal. Wecalled, the seal was fine.

And relaxing after the paddle, I startedthumbing through the book to figure out the next stretch of coast I wantedto explore.

This is definitely a must-have book for any sea kayakerplanning a trip to Maine!

Kayaking in the northeast
Kayaking in the Northeast has just gotten easier and NE kayakers much better informed thanks to the release of D. Miller's book.This book lives up to its title in every way. The book is well written, detailed enough toprovide confidence and an opportunity to plan well for a paddle adventure.The information in this book will save those less familiar with the coastof Maine many frustrating mistakes and bad trips,and for those morefamiliar with Maine some new ideas on what to do and see.In additionthere are informative chapters all who use the coast of Maine forrecreation should know and follow. For those of us beginning to explore thecoast of Maine by kayak this is an essential addition our bookshelf. ... Read more

Product Description
Detached from civilisation in double kayaks, paddling nine hours a day for 34 days straight, this 1200 mile voyage from San Diego, California to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico was a true man against nature adventure. The rough water and rocky coastline had been anticipated, but the rats, mice, ants, crabs, coyotes, mosquitoes and wild pigs that either ate our food, stole our gear or tried to sleep in our sleeping bags with us we had not anticipated. We learned that the human mind and spirit can endure, create, and problem solve better than we ever imagined. ... Read more

Product Description
In this epic tale of sea-kayaking adventure, award-winning author Chris Duff places readers in the cockpit of his 18-foot kayak and lets them experience the full power and beauty of the South Pacific Ocean and the wild energy of the Tasman Sea as it thunders onto New Zealand's uninhabited west coast. Not just an account of human physical endurance and determination to attempt what had only been accomplished once before, this exquisitely written narrative reveals the philosophical and psychological life of a man who has chosen the sea as the master to sit before and to learn from. The intense and often terrifying sea journey is balanced by serendipitous meetings along the way with friendly New Zealanders and with the diverse wildlife of this tiny and remote island country.Southern Exposure is a force of writing that will captivate the armchair adventurer as well as the seasoned ocean traveler.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Made me want to grab my kayak!
Circling NZ is clearly an amazing act, but I couldn't help thinking that maybe I could circumnavigate around some exotic island too.Now don't get me wrong... Southern Exposure left me realizing this is no "walk in the park", but it also left me feeling that BUZZ that comes with doing something amazing.This book can get a little slow at times, but as long as you keep your mind on the waves and swell, it all goes well.

A remarkable journey, well-told
Chris Duff's humility is one of the many striking attributes of a finely-written account of an often nerve-wracking and dangerous journey around New Zealand's South Island by sea kayak. Duff reminds us of the power and beauty of nature that so many of us have forgotten, lulled by the comforts of city life, and introduces the characters living around the coast whose goodness and moral support helped him get through the ordeal.

You don't have to be a kayaker to enjoy this book, but if you are, then you can empathise much more with the many challenges he faced. I was out there on the water with him, edging into the waves,fearing the surf, dwarfed by the Fiordland's cliffs. Well done, and thanks for sharing the experience!

Enjoyable
I took this book with me on a trip to New Zealand, and enjoyed reading it as I learned first hand the island's crazy seas, and the many interesting facts about the country. At times the author can be a little long winded, but I thought it was well written for a trip that inherently has so much repetition. If you like sea kayaking, nature, and adventure stories, I would recommend this book. If you get to a slightly boring part about being with one with the boat and sea, just keep reading, and more adventure is sure to follow.

somewhat engaging but flawed
Unfortunately, I do not quite share the enthusiasm expressed by the other reviewers. Although Duff is an excellent descriptive writer, the numerous descriptions and philosophical musings in this book tend to go on and on needlessly; I do not need to read three pages about what it was like to find two apples in the ocean and eat them, or read description after description of the joys and epiphanies one experiences while paddling in a remote area. A little of that goes a long way.

I guess the upshot is that I was looking for an exciting adventure story, and what I got was perhaps the most thorough description of the New Zealand South Island's coastline, coastal waters, and weather patterns ever written. If you are looking for an "Into Thin Air"-type battle against the odds, keep looking. Although the journey required considerable paddling skills and Duff faced a few close calls, overall the book records little actual adversity aside from large waves and days of waiting out storms -- often in homes of hospitable New Zealanders rather than on his own.

I also agree with other reviewers that the photos are mediocre and certainly are not "stunning," as the back of the book claims.

Absolutely fantastic.
A couple of years ago I saw Chris Duff speak at Canoecopia - a worldwide paddling expo held in Madison WI. One of his talks was about his solo circumnavigation of New Zealand's south island - the same topic as this book.
I, and I think the rest of the audience, was mesmerized as he told his tale. Even though he probably has talked about his trip many times it felt as if he was reliving it for the first time. His ecitement was contagious. The audience could almost feel the ocean swells and smell the salty air.
Chris Duff is as good of a writer as he is a public speaker. He vividly describes the scenery of his voyage, the people he encounters and his own personal thoughts. While, his adventures are WAY beyond my personal abilities I could actually feel what it would be like in his shoes (or in this case fast drying sandals) due to his excellent writing ability. ... Read more

Product Description
Tourists visit popular islands of the Caribbean by the planeload. What they don't see from their resort hotels are the hundreds of out-of-the-way, uninhabited islands sprinkled along the West Indies chain from Florida to South America. This alluring archipelago, strung with beaches accessible only by boat but spaced temptingly close together, led Mississippi adventurer Scott B. Williams to embark upon an open-ended quest to see how far south he could go in a seventeen-foot sea kayak.

No one was willing to accompany him. He spent months working his way down the west coast of Florida, through the Bahamas, and on to Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.On Island Time, his narrative of this journey of a lifetime, describes the wonders of discovery as he makes landfall on pristine cays. Relentless headwinds, dangerous surf, countless beaches declared off-limits to trespassing, and aggressive sharks that ram his kayak and snap him out of his musing remind the adventurer that this paradise is far from perfect. Every day of the journey required constant vigilance.

With no one to depend on and often no one even knowing where he was for weeks at a time, Williams learned what it means to be self-reliant and to adjust to "island time." With just a simple, human-powered craft and the few belongings that would fit inside, Williams explores an almost boundless frontier and a powerful natural stretch of the Caribbean rarely if ever accessed by the island tourist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Pretty Good Entertainment
I usually love escapist books of this nature. With this one, I find myself vaguely disappointed. While the writing itself is not bad, some areas are breezed over, and details vary, depending on Scott's memory, most likely. I suppose the biggest disappointment is that the Carribean is now almost exclusively private or government property, and there is almost nowhere to go anymore to discover anything new. He describes a few spectacular coves and tiny islands he explored, usually with others, but 80% of the content deals with avoiding private property and bribing foreign officals with rum from the folks he's hitched a ride with over most of the journey. In all, the book doesn't make me want to go adventuring, to see "what's over that horizon" because everyone has already been there. At least, not without a world class bank account.

The Eagles said it best, "Call someplace Paradise, kiss it goodbye."

Takes you right there.
Reading Williams' On Island Time, you can almost feel the waves lapping over the bow of the kayak and feel the shark bumping you from below. If you can't afford to take off for months to the Carribean, this book is the next best thing.

Good read
At no point did I become board with the adventure or find it un interesting.

Great Adventure
A wonderfully informative, yet intense adventure read. Scott's travels around the Caribbean will make you want to go exploring. His simple, yet very seaworthy means of travel allows him to explore places that boaters in larger craft can only steam by while seeking the nearest marina. Well written. I highly recommend this book!

I couldn't put it down!
This is the best adventure book I have ever read. I didn't want this trip to end. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. ... Read more

Product Description
An adventure by kayak through the Solomon Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean and the third book in Annick Press' award-winning 'Adventure Travel' series.

The Solomon Islands in the South Pacific Ocean are full of sharks, malaria, giant centipedes and crocodiles, and are also the home to lush jungle, beautiful cockatoos, waist-high orchids, and tropical butterflies.

Maria Coffey and husband Dag love to kayak. Their adventure begins in Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands, where Maria and Dag first encounter Pidgin English and men with mouths stained red from chewing betel nuts and lime. They snorkel incredible reefs alive with the rich blues, greens and reds of hundreds of fish, coral and clamshells -- and the odd lagoon shark! During their travels, they visit Skull Island, which houses the heads of dead chiefs; they learn to cook traditional food like taro and cassava roots; they witness the incredible, huge leatherback turtles burying their eggs in the sand and making decoy nest holes to fool the local monitor lizards. They even get lost among small, remote, uncharted islands. Yet everywhere Maria and Dag go, the locals welcome them with generosity and kindness.

Ever wonder about giant fruit bats, what a bathroom in the jungle looks like or what are the top ten uses for coconuts? Sidebars recount fascinating cultural facts and information from around the Islands. Maps are dispersed throughout the text with spectacular photography, enabling the reader to follow the kayak along its journey. An index is included for easy reference. ... Read more