Inflatable Kayaking: A Beginner's Guide


Book Description

There has been an explosion of interest in paddling right across the world – in 2020, British Canoeing reported a 40% rise in members, with 19,000 signing up in a 3-month period. Much of this interest has been in inflatable kayaks, with the author's own website (inflatablekayaksandpackrafts.com) averaging 1,000 visits a day. The comparatively low cost, the convenience of inflatable kayaks, and the fact that you can just get in and go, all add up to their appeal. And with thousands of miles of waterways in the UK, most are within reach of a river or canal where you can paddle your kayak and enjoy being in the fresh air, gently travelling through the natural world. You see the country from a different perspective and in an eco-friendly way. But, as with everything, a little bit of knowledge and technique makes the experience so much more enjoyable! That is where this book comes in. It provides a perfect introduction to the sport. It takes you through the different types of inflatable kayaks, so you buy the one that is right for you. It shows you the basic on-the-water skills that you will need, including getting in and out, how to paddle straight and turn. It outlines the gear you will need and talks about where to paddle as well as weather, safety, maintenance and repair of your equipment. It covers kayaking in rivers and canals, lakes and lochs, and coastal kayaking. All aspects are heavily illustrated with colour photographs making it easy to understand and clear to follow.




The Packraft Handbook


Book Description

"A staple for paddlers.... [The Packraft Handbook has] now become the bible for outdoor recreators taking their inflatable rafts into the backcountry." ― Anchorage Daily News 2021 National Outdoor Book Award Winner in Outdoor Adventure Guides 2022 Banff Mountain Book Competition Guidebook Winner Alaska-based author is a leading expert on wilderness travel Emphasis on skill progression and safety applies to wide range of outdoor water recreation Vibrant illustrations and photos inform and inspire The Packraft Handbook is a comprehensive guide to packrafting, with a strong emphasis on skill progression and safety. Readers will learn to maneuver through river features and open water, mitigate risk with trip planning and boat control, and how to react when things go wrong. Beginners will find everything they need to know to get started--from packraft care to proper paddling position as well as what to wear and how to communicate. Illustrated for visual learners and featuring stunning photography, The Packraft Handbook has something to offer all packrafters and other whitewater sports enthusiasts.




Alaska River Guide


Book Description

The rich tapestry of Alaska is threaded together by 365,000 miles of waterways, from cascading mountain streams to meandering valley rivers, from the meltwaters of glaciers to broad rivers that empty into the sea. This guide profiles a wide variety of rivers from all over Alaska, concentrating on trips for intermediate boaters, and including a few major expeditions for the experienced river-runner. A section on gear outlines what to take into the backcountry.




She Explores


Book Description

For every woman who has ever been called outdoorsy comes a collection of stories that inspires unforgettable adventure. Beautiful, empowering, and exhilarating, She Explores is a spirited celebration of female bravery and courage, and an inspirational companion for any woman who wants to travel the world on her own terms. Combining breathtaking travel photography with compelling personal narratives, She Explores shares the stories of 40 diverse women on unforgettable journeys in nature: women who live out of vans, trucks, and vintage trailers, hiking the wild, cooking meals over campfires, and sleeping under the stars. Women biking through the countryside, embarking on an unknown road trip, or backpacking through the outdoors with their young children in tow. Complementing the narratives are practical tips and advice for women planning their own trips, including: • Preparing for a solo hike • Must-haves for a road-trip kitchen • Planning ahead for unknown territory • Telling your own story A visually stunning and emotionally satisfying collection for any woman craving new landscapes and adventure.




Ultimate Canoe and Kayak Adventures


Book Description

A stunningly illustrated book detailing the world′s most breathtaking on–water adventures Whether it′s paddling down mountain chasms or exploring rugged coastlines, navigating a canoe or kayak counts as one of life′s indescribable joys. And in this memorable collection of 100 extraordinary on–water experiences, armchair adventurers and avid water sport enthusiasts are given a taste of canoeing and kayaking in every climate, condition, and geographical location. From the frozen wastes of North America, the rivers and seas of Europe and Asia, to the stunning waters of the Far East and Australasia, each paddle stroke is brought to life. With something for everyone—from the white water adrenalin junkie to the extreme sea kayaker—Ultimate Canoe and Kayak Adventures offers true–life adventurers useful, detailed information telling you exactly how, where, and when to attempt any on–water expedition yourself. The three co-authors are highly experienced paddlers from both sides of the Atlantic. Eugene Buchanan is editor-in-chief of Paddling Life, Jason Smith is editor of Canoe & Kayak UK while James Weir is a prize-winning paddler and journalist who still leads extreme paddling expeditions worldwide. Striking full–page photographs are matched with lively text that bring 100 adventures to life Offering a rare, inside look at living the life of adventure in every climate and latitude, this spectacular album of memorable canoeing and kayaking experiences is an ideal gift and a must for those who wish they′d been there—and those who already have.




Packrafting


Book Description

Don’t Be Left Up a River… Without a PackraftPackrafts are lightweight, inflatable boats that can be carried in a backpack, on a bicycle or in a duffel bag. These compact, tough personal watercrafts are used to float rivers, run rapids, cross lakes, and even drop waterfalls, often as part of a broader wilderness expedition that includes backpacking. Packrafting is rapidly gaining in popularity, with increasingly varied options for gear, ranging by size, cost, and function. With the number of guided packrafting trips on the rise, this is the perfect book for the beginner interested in the up-and-coming sport.




Paddling Washington


Book Description

* 112 routes in rivers, streams, lakes, and bays in the Northwest * For paddlers of all skill levels * Maps, safety tips, equipment requirements, and a route comparison chart This uniquely comprehensive Washington paddling guidebook combines the best of three previous books--Paddle Routes of the Inland Northwest, Paddle Routes of Western Washington, and Washington Whitewater--into one volume. Detailed locator maps and instructions on safety are included, as well as appendices on equipment, map sources, and a useful route comparison chart for selecting the right trip level for any paddler. Paddling Washington covers water routes in western and eastern Washington, British Columbia, North Idaho, and Montana, and has enough trips to keep northwest paddlers busy for years to come.




Kayaking


Book Description

This lavishly-illustrated, clearly-written guide to kayaking will have you out on the water fast - and in safety.




Packrafting: A Beginner's Guide


Book Description

Packrafts are rugged, portable rafts, small enough to attach under a rucksack, but stable on the water to reassure first time paddlers. Weighing from 1-3 kilos, they open up a whole new world of amphibious adventuring, from navigating easily accessible waterways to discovering more challenging rivers and lochs only reachable on foot or bicycle. Packrafting: A Beginners' Guide is a perfect introduction to the game-changing recreational opportunities opened up by packrafting. It takes you through the different types and features of packrafts to ensure that you buy a boat that is right for you and have the right gear to use with it. It clearly explains the basic paddling skills and how to safely evaluate risks on the water. It also introduces the different types of adventures you can undertake with your packraft, from paddling a local canal or river to lashing a bicycle over the bow or using a packable sail to traverse open water. The book is comprehensively illustrated with over 120 colour photographs making it easy to understand and clear to follow.




Sailing: A Beginner's Guide


Book Description

Sailing is a wonderful sport, it takes place in the open air, on the water and is powered by something that's free and eco-friendly – the wind! It is a sport for life: captivating children and giving them a sense of responsibility as they skipper their own boat and continuing to give pleasure well beyond retirement, whether it be competing against others or taking it more gently. Using this book you can get afloat, learn to sail and start having fun using the step-by-step advice, photo sequences and diagrams. This jargon-free guide allows complete novices to get out on the water with the minimum of fuss. One- and two-person dinghies are covered, along with rigging, knots, safety, handling and much more. Originally published as 'Learn to Sail', it now forms part of Fernhurst Books' series of Beginner's Guides covering surfing, SUP and inflatable kayaking. It can be used on its own or as a compliment to traditional sailing courses run by sailing schools everywhere and is aligned very closely to standard teaching qualifications. It is also linked to many YouTube videos so you get a real flavour and feel for the sport of sailing.