Written for paddlers of all skill levels, Sea Kayak Strokes is a concise and fully illustrated instructional manual detailing tips and suggestions for improving and maintaining overall paddling technique. This highly effective guide will help you paddle your kayak farther, more safely and with less effort. When you do 1,500 strokes per hour, small improvements in your technique make a big difference in your comfort, success and overall progress.

A practical guide that will help you to master the skills needed to manoeuvre a sea kayak efficiently. For beginner and intermediate paddlers. Doug draws on his personal and coaching experience to help the reader master sea kayak handling skills and techniques. Accurate sequential photos and simple concise language make the descriptions easy to follow and understand. The foundation skills of posture, connectivity (how your body is connected to the kayak), power transfer and learning to 'feel' how the boat responds, are explored initially. The author then goes on to tackle forward paddling, keeping the kayak on course, reverse paddling, edging, turning on the spot, forward turns on the move, reverse turns on the move, stern rudders, moving sideways, support strokes, and the use of skegs and rudders. Sea Kayak Handling is recommended as support material for the British Canoe Union 3 and 4 Star (Sea) awards. (The 1 star is a novice 'encouragement' award, the 2 star covers basic generic kayak skills, the 3 star basic/intermediate sea specific skills and experience, and the 4 star covers intermediate sea specific skills and leadership in moderate conditions).

This book is a modern guide to sea kayaking by one of the leading exponents of the sport who is also a highly respected coach in this field. Gordon Brown is a BCU Level 5 sea coach based on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. He shares his knowledge with you in his own succinct humorous style and very visual approach. In this book Gordon covers topics of kayaking history, physiology, boat and paddle dynamics, seamanship and navigation, safety and rescue, weather forecasting, caves, rockhopping and tidal races, expeditions and overnighting, as well as a wealth of tips and resources for the sea paddler. This is a visually stunning book printed on 170gsm silk paper filled with top quality photographs. Over seventy photographs and illustrations help to make this an essential modern manual for the sea kayaker.

Sanctioned by the World Kayak Federation.

CLICK HERE to download the section on sea kayaking "Safety: Self & Assisted Rescue" from Sea Kayaking * Features 130 demonstrative photographs and 30 charts and illustrations * Written by a veteran paddling coach and expert in kayak stroke efficiency * Advice from expert contributors throughout adds full range of experience The latest addition to the award-winning Mountaineers Outdoor Expert series, Sea Kayaking: Basic Skills to Advanced Paddling Techniques, offers authoritative advice for paddlers of all levels, from beginners considering their first gear purchase to competitive kayakers looking to perfect their forward stroke. As a longtime paddling professional and National Team coach, author Dan Henderson draws from a lifetime of personal experience, teaching, and his academic research in exercise science to instruct readers on everything they need to know to get out on the water, including: * Gear -- how to pick the right kayak for your body size, skill level, and lifestyle * Foundations of safety, how to plan and prepare, and must-know advice for assisted and self-rescue * Basic paddling styles to advanced techniques (side slipping, edging, bracing) * Techniques for a range of conditions caused by wind, waves, currents, swells, and more * Expedition planning and camping * Getting the most out of kayaking for fitness “Dan’s participation in paddlesports is celebrated by a lifetime of contribution to the sport, friendships that span the globe and professional success across all disciplines of paddling. The opportunity to learn from Dan’s experience will only add to your enjoyment and success in the sport.” -- Joe Jacobi, Chief Executive Officer USA Canoe/Kayak

This is a thoroughly modern book on the traditional open canoe. It covers all aspects of the open canoe, from design to wilderness travel. What really sets it apart is its focus on canoeing techniques. Ray Goodwin is the UK's best known and (many would go so far as to say) foremost canoe coach. By introducing some of the latest canoeing performance skills, based on what he has discovered through decades of coaching and guiding, he sets out to inspire a new generation of paddlers. Through clear language and the use of photographs acquired over many years of paddling around the world, he shares some real insights of the reality of canoeing; sometimes gritty, but always enthralling. New in the 2nd edition is a section on 'vision pattern', a method for creating a mental map of a rapid. There is an expanded and re-written chapter on canoeing with children. There are more techniques for improvised sailing and more on advanced lining and tracking. It describes new solo rescue techniques and has many new inspirational canoe expedition examples. Ray has paddled extensively in Europe and his British canoe trips include the circumnavigation of Wales and the Irish Sea Crossing. In North America he has canoed the Rio Grande in the South and done trips as far north as the Arctic Circle, as well as doing two kayak descents of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. In addition to being a British Canoe Union Level 5 Coach in Canoe, Inland Kayak, he holds a Mountain Instructor's Certificate and has led ice climbs on Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and in the Atlas Mountains. He runs his own coaching and guiding business, working at all levels from novice to the top BCU leadership and coaching qualifications courses.

The official word on kayaking basics from the American Canoe Association, the nation's most respected authority on paddling, Essentials of Kayak Touring and Essentials of River Kayaking provide beginning paddlers with everything they need to enjoy a safe kayak outing. Beginning with instructions on how to be safe in the water, including proper use of equipment, preparing for cold, wind, and waves, and learning basic skills such as how to maintain their balance, these texts provide thorough information for those just starting to paddle. Find out how to select a kayak, proper lifting and carrying techniques, and how to launch it into the water. With well-written text and illustrations, learn all the basic strokes and maneuvers and important rescue techniques. Appendices include a glossary of kayaking terms and a list of resource organizations. Paddling safely requires, above all, the exercise of good judgment. And part of developing good judgment is understanding the challenges and hazards inherent in any situation and one's own ability to meet them.

The most comprehensive manual on how to kayak safely in a wide variety of sea environments--from inland waterways to ocean rock gardens, tide rips, surf zones, and the open ocean. Aimed at beginners through experienced kayakers, this book describes how to deal with hazards, not just avoid them, using real-life, extensively tested techniques proven to work. You'll learn fundamental skills for recovery and rescue, and master safe paddling techniques in ocean conditions. Numerous photos accompany step-by-step descriptions of the Eskimo roll, towing methods, self- and partner-rescues, backup strategies, and group dynamics. The second edition has a fresh chapter on fine-tuning your strokes, which will significantly increase kayaking fun and safety.

This exciting and demanding sport is much different than its flat-water sibling, with different equipment and techniques, all of which are covered in Basic Illustrated Sea Kayaking. Full-color images 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. You'll discover how to perfect your paddle stroke, perform self rescues and assisted rescues, paddle and navigate safely, pack your sea kayak for an expedition, and get your kayak on and off your vehicle.