Expanded to include sections on seamanship, navigation, and health issues, the completely updated and redesigned new edition of David Seidman’s bestselling guide reaffirms its reputation as the best sea kayaking guide available. A top-to-bottom introduction for novice and mid-level kayakers, this highly visual handbook provides kayakers with the whole scoop on everything from gear, transportation, and paddling technique to the finer points of Eskimo rolling, rescue protocol, group and solo paddling.
Table of contents:
Preface to the Second Edition Introduction Sea Kayaking 101: Setting Forth 1 What You Will Need Kayak Single or Double?; Slow and Stable or Fast and Tippy?; Rigid or Collapsible?; Meeting Your Standards Paddle Materials; Length; Blade; Feathered or Nonfeathered; Shaft Gear Spray Skirt; PFD; Audible Signal; Bailers; Bow Line; Paddle Float; Flotation; Eyeglass Strap; Nose Clips A Place to Learn 2 Meet Your Kayak Lifting Making It Fit Transporting by Car Transporting by Hand Gear Care and Storage 3 Getting In and Out (Dry) Beach: Kayak in Water Beach: Kayak on Land Low Dock High Dock 4 Getting In and Out (Wet) Wet Exit Swimming Emptying Paddle Float Reentry 5 Boat Dynamics Stability Balance 6 Paddling Basics Holding the Paddle Basic Stroke: Nonfeathered Basic Stroke: Feathered Push/Pull Body Twist The Complete Stroke Dos and Don'ts Stopping and Backing Fine Points of Paddling Basics 7 Maneuvering Forward Sweep Reverse Sweep Stern Rudder Stroke Rudders and Skegs Draw Stroke Sculling Draw Linking Stroke Drills 8 Bracing Principles Slap Brace Low Brace Sweeping Low Brace High Brace Sculling Brace Sea Kayaking 102: Heading Out 9 What You Will Need Safety Gear Clothing; Paddling Jacket; Wet Suit; Dry Suit; Visual Distress Signals; Lights; Radios and Cell Phones 10 Body Language Knee Lift Carved Turns Hip Flick Extended Bracing 11 Eskimo Roll Principles Practice: Setup Practice: Sweep Practice: Flick and Lay-Back The Complete Roll Fine Points Reentry-and-Roll 12 Through the Surf Launching Landing 13 Wind and Waves Into Across With 14 Group Travel Two or More Management and Communication Assisted Rescues Assisted Reentry Graduate Courses: Continuing Education 15 Body Basics Care and Prevention Exercises; Fuel and Hydration; Tendonitis; Seasickness; Hypothermia 16 Sea and Sky Weather Wise Weather Forecaster Useful Weather Lore Dealing with the Elements Wind and Storms; Fog; Tides; Currents 17 Navigation How Not to Get Lost Essential Skills Charts and Compasses Charts; Compasses; Compass-Only Navigation; Navigation with a Chart; GPS Receivers Understanding Boat Traffic 18 Paddler's Resources For Disabled Paddlers For Families General Information on Kayaking Periodicals; Books; Charts and Tide Tables; Gatherings; Equipment; Clubs and Organizations; Schools for Sea Kayaking and Outdoor Skills Index
The Essential Series--Your Trusted Guides "Does an excellent job."--Sea Kayaker "A standout. Empathy for the reader-what a concept!"--Canoe and Kayak "Filled with the details you need to make paddling safe and pleasurable."--WoodenBoat "We needed a book of this quality."--Atlantic Coastal Kayaker Combining the logic of a lesson plan with the grace of informality, this book is the next best thing to having a personal instructor always at your side. Known for nearly a decade as the sea kayaker's bible for its clear, user-friendly approach, The Essential Sea Kayaker is now updated and expanded to give you the information you need on Boat and gear selection and care Skills from your first launch through carved turns, Eskimo rolls, and negotiating wind and waves Safety, health, and rescue tips Group and solo paddling strategies Seamanship and navigation Adopted by kayaking schools and seminars worldwide, the best introduction to sea kayaking is now even better.
Now revised and updated to reflect the latest in new gear and techniques, here is the Second Edition of the book about which Canoe & Kayak magazine wrote, "Empathy with the reader. What a concept!" The Essential Sea Kayaker presents everything a kayaker needs, from choosing the right boat and gear to paddle strokes, braces, and rolls. This second edition will include new sections on seamanship, navigation, and health, as well as a preface with answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions about sea kayaking. Here is what other reviewers have said: "Does a good job demystifying our sport."--Sea Kayaker. "Filled with he details you need to make paddling safe and pleasurable."--WoodenBoat. "We needed a book of this quality."--Atlantic Coast Kayaker.
Table of contents:
Preface to the Second Edition Introduction Sea Kayaking 101: Setting Forth 1 What You Will Need Kayak Single or Double?; Slow and Stable or Fast and Tippy?; Rigid or Collapsible?; Meeting Your Standards Paddle Materials; Length; Blade; Feathered or Nonfeathered; Shaft Gear Spray Skirt; PFD; Audible Signal; Bailers; Bow Line; Paddle Float; Flotation; Eyeglass Strap; Nose Clips A Place to Learn 2 Meet Your Kayak Lifting Making It Fit Transporting by Car Transporting by Hand Gear Care and Storage 3 Getting In and Out (Dry) Beach: Kayak in Water Beach: Kayak on Land Low Dock High Dock 4 Getting In and Out (Wet) Wet Exit Swimming Emptying Paddle Float Reentry 5 Boat Dynamics Stability Balance 6 Paddling Basics Holding the Paddle Basic Stroke: Nonfeathered Basic Stroke: Feathered Push/Pull Body Twist The Complete Stroke Dos and Don'ts Stopping and Backing Fine Points of Paddling Basics 7 Maneuvering Forward Sweep Reverse Sweep Stern Rudder Stroke Rudders and Skegs Draw Stroke Sculling Draw Linking Stroke Drills 8 Bracing Principles Slap Brace Low Brace Sweeping Low Brace High Brace Sculling Brace Sea Kayaking 102: Heading Out 9 What You Will Need Safety Gear Clothing; Paddling Jacket; Wet Suit; Dry Suit; Visual Distress Signals; Lights; Radios and Cell Phones 10 Body Language Knee Lift Carved Turns Hip Flick Extended Bracing 11 Eskimo Roll Principles Practice: Setup Practice: Sweep Practice: Flick and Lay-Back The Complete Roll Fine Points Reentry-and-Roll 12 Through the Surf Launching Landing 13 Wind and Waves Into Across With 14 Group Travel Two or More Management and Communication Assisted Rescues Assisted Reentry Graduate Courses: Continuing Education 15 Body Basics Care and Prevention Exercises; Fuel and Hydration; Tendonitis; Seasickness; Hypothermia 16 Sea and Sky Weather Wise Weather Forecaster Useful Weather Lore Dealing with the Elements Wind and Storms; Fog; Tides; Currents 17 Navigation How Not to Get Lost Essential Skills Charts and Compasses Charts; Compasses; Compass-Only Navigation; Navigation with a Chart; GPS Receivers Understanding Boat Traffic 18 Paddler's Resources For Disabled Paddlers For Families General Information on Kayaking Periodicals; Books; Charts and Tide Tables; Gatherings; Equipment; Clubs and Organizations; Schools for Sea Kayaking and Outdoor Skills Index
The Essential Series--Your Trusted Guides "Does an excellent job."--Sea Kayaker "A standout. Empathy for the reader-what a concept!"--Canoe and Kayak "Filled with the details you need to make paddling safe and pleasurable."--WoodenBoat "We needed a book of this quality."--Atlantic Coastal Kayaker Combining the logic of a lesson plan with the grace of informality, this book is the next best thing to having a personal instructor always at your side. Known for nearly a decade as the sea kayaker's bible for its clear, user-friendly approach, The Essential Sea Kayaker is now updated and expanded to give you the information you need on Boat and gear selection and care Skills from your first launch through carved turns, Eskimo rolls, and negotiating wind and waves Safety, health, and rescue tips Group and solo paddling strategies Seamanship and navigation Adopted by kayaking schools and seminars worldwide, the best introduction to sea kayaking is now even better.
Now revised and updated to reflect the latest in new gear and techniques, here is the Second Edition of the book about which Canoe & Kayak magazine wrote, "Empathy with the reader. What a concept!" The Essential Sea Kayaker presents everything a kayaker needs, from choosing the right boat and gear to paddle strokes, braces, and rolls. This second edition will include new sections on seamanship, navigation, and health, as well as a preface with answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions about sea kayaking. Here is what other reviewers have said: "Does a good job demystifying our sport."--Sea Kayaker. "Filled with he details you need to make paddling safe and pleasurable."--WoodenBoat. "We needed a book of this quality."--Atlantic Coast Kayaker.