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GENERAL 'Sit-on-Top Kayak- an owner's manual' by Derek Haidon
A complete beginner’s guide to the sit-on-top kayak. 'British Canoe Union Coaching Handbook' by British Canoe Union
Excellent manual which serves as a tool for coaches. However, it is also recommended to those interested in raising the performance of their own paddling. Covers all disciplines. 'Top Tips for Coaches' by Loel Collins
Nice little book full of pretty much what the title says, based on the accumulated wit and wisdom of the staff at Plas y Brenin outdoor centre. 'Canoe and Kayak Games: 250 Best Paddle Sport Games' by Dave Ruse and Loel Collins
A vademecum of practical ideas for keeping paddling sessions fun and educational. Essential for clubs and coaches. 'Beyond Adventure' by Colin Mortlock
Mortlock reflects upon a life in the outdoors, with plenty of reference to sea kayaking in particular. 'Kayak Rolling, The Black Art Demystified' by Loel Collins
A well illustrated and up to date guide, recommended although it doesn't cover a wide range of techniques. 'Shooting Paddlers' by Toni Harting
Lacks colour and spark (the photos aren't wildly inspiring, see the cover shot), but worth a read as the only published book on the subject. 'The Complete Guide to Canoeing and Kayaking' by Bill Mattos
This is a REALLY good up to date overview of our sport. Lots of fine pictures. 'British Canoe Union Handbook'
The best overall introduction to the sport, with sections on most aspects. The third edition (2002) is excellent, essential reading. 'Eskimo Rolling' by Derek Hutchinson
The best book on rolling and indispensible in that sense...but a bit dry. The book has helpful ideas on teaching rolling and looks at the Inuit roots of the 'art'. 'Paddling on the Edge, The Bombproof Roll and Beyond' by Paul Dufty
A detailed examination of bracing and rolling strokes. Actually more interesting than it sounds! Very useful for the learning paddler or Coach. 'The Kayakers Little Book of Wisdom' by Corran Addison
Full of platitudes about paddling, this little book is full of some surprisingly interesting and controversial ideas. But nothing much else to be honest.
Recommended, an entertaining book which explains how weather works and gives endless examples of how this works in practise, worldwide. 'Shooting Digital: Pro Tips for Taking Great Pictures with Your Digital Camera' by Mikkel Aaland
Included here as it's an excellent guide to the fundamentals of good photography as well as the best book I've found on adapting these for digital cameras. |
WHITEWATER 'Top Tips for Boaters: Over 300 Top Tips and Handy Hints for Canoeists and Kayakers' by Loel Collins and Franco Ferrero
Endless little hints and ideas to improve your river paddling. Click to buy ...
'White Water Kayaking: The New School of Modern White Water Kayaking' by Olli Grau
At time of writing (2006) this is easily the best guide to whitewater paddling technique. Great pictures, too. Essential reading for paddlers of all abilities. 'White Water Safety and Rescue' by Franco Ferrero
The 2006 second edition, a big update on the original and a huge improvement in terms of presentation and accessibility. One of the few books that every river paddler should own and read. It dispenses with a lot of the macho-hero-rescue stuff and starts back at the beginning; how people get into accidents, how to prevent and prepare for them. In other words, it emphasises safety before rescue. Click to buy ...
'The Playboater's Handbook II: The Ultimate Guide to Freestyle Kayaking' by Ken Whiting
Pretty good, it is a big improvement on the first edition. Colour photos this time. Far more moves described than any other current book, and some good coaching tips; in this respect it still falls short of 'The Art of Freestyle' (below) though. 'The Art of Freestyle' by Eric Brymer, Tom Hughes and Loel Collins
The basics of playboating, highly recommended to all whitewater paddlers. Details on how to perform the moves, along with stunning photos. Also includes some interesting stuff on mental/ physical preparation. Click to buy ...
'Whitewater Kayaking' by Ray Rowe Despite being pretty dated now, this is still at least as good as any other introduction to moving water; this tells us something about the quality of the author as a Coach? Great illustrations.
The nearest thing to a cult paddling technique book, this is hugely entertaining with the late Bill Nealy's cartoons used to explain aspects of river-running. Several of his platitudes have since become oft-quoted dogma ('the amount of time spent looking at a hole...')! Getting dated now. 'AMC Whitewater Handbook' by Bruce Lessels A well written American introduction to kayaking on moving water. 'River Rescue' by Les Bechdel and Slim Ray Pales next to Ferrero's book (above) but not to be ignored. Offers a useful American perspective, with interesting notes on helicopters for instance. 'River Safety Anthology' ed. Charles Walbridge
A truly horrible and unpleasant book, but not one to ignore. It simply describes innumerable paddling accidents and fatalities from North American archives. The educational value of this is obvious. The only light moment is the fellow who dropped off Niagara Falls in his C1 (no bouyancy aid or helmet) spinning his paddle and waving to the police. |
SEA 'Sea KayakNavigation' by Franco Ferrero
At last a book that tells you only what you need to know and cuts out the confusing nonsense! Clear, concise and illustrated throughout with excellent diagrams and drawings. The aim of this book is to provide a concise manual of navigation aimed specifically at sea kayakers. It covers what sea kayakers need to know and are likely to use; no more, no less. Click to buy ...
'Sea Kayak' - A manual for intermediate and advanced sea kayakers. ' by Gordon Brown
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. Click to buy ...
' "Sea Kayaker" Magazine's Handbook of Safety and Rescue' by Douglas Alderson and Michael Pardy
Recommended, this is the best book on sea kayaking in safety. Rather than just focusing on rescue techniques, it has much more to say about how to avoid problems in the first place. The Seamanship Pocketbook 
Useful waterproof book which covers bouyage etc. for on-the-water use. Click to buy ...
'Essentials of Sea Survival' by Frank Golden and Michael Tipton All serious sea paddlers should read this, explains in chilling detail what happens when you end up in the water...but is mostly not too dry. 'Surf Kayaking: The Essential Guide' by Simon Hammond Excellent on surfing technique, but fairly 'old school' - just deals with classic surfing. 'Expedition Kayaking' by Derek C. Hutchinson Useful guide to long trips, camping and wilderness. Has some crossover with 'Sea Kayaking' but worth owning as well. Outstanding book which teaches the fundamentals of sensible and safe sea paddling through the medium of other people's horror stories. 'Kayak Surfing' by Bill Mattos
Very attractive book, plenty of good ideas. Much more stylish than Hammond's book (above), but less on technique - get both! Click to buy ...
'Surf Science' by Butt and Russell
Great explanation of how waves are formed and why they behave as they do. Essential reading for surfers. 'Sea Kayaking' by Derek Hutchinson
The best introduction to sea paddling, this man is a legend in his own bathtime. Enjoy the humour in the accompanying drawings. Rightfully puts our sport in the context of it's Inuit origins. An interesting American perspective, with extra useful info on paddling in tropical waters and extreme distance trips. 'Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation' by David Burch
Detailed and interesting, with great stuff on 'dead reckoning' and useful ideas for those paddling where tidal info and suchlike are less readily available. Effectively carries on where Ferrero (above) leaves off. 'Extreme Sea Kayaking' by Eric Soares and Micheal Powers
The title is no exaggeration. This book recommends taking yourself out in storms, surging caves, rock gardens, etc...wearing body armour, of course. A bizarre insight into what the Americans are doing with the supposedly mild and 'beardy' sport of sea kayaking, highly entertaining and readable. |
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