Kayak Book Reviews

I've got a handful of kayaking 'how to' books. Nigel's Surf Kayaking, Harrison's Kayak Camping and Kayak Touring books, Extreme Sea Kayaking by Soares and Powers, just to name a few.

In all though, most sea kayaking books seem to be the same. Maybe an expanded chapter or two (such as camping, or surfing), but in all, they are pretty much all just the same book. However, I do have a few that stand out.

Woody's MUST READ library:

Sea Kayak Rescue by Roger Schumann and Jan Shiner

If you have been through the BCU or CPA safety/rescue classes, you probably don't need this book. But it is refreshing to see an entire book dedicated to rescues - not just a chapter. Lots of pictures and interspersed with real life stories makes this an excellent book for folks who are unable to attend training, or who would like to polish up their book knowledge of rescues.

Sea Kayaking Safety and Rescue - by John Lull

For those that progress into the intermediate and advanced sea kayaker ranks, I can recommend this book to you. Careful, I don't recommend a beginner take on these topics until they have built a firm foundation in basic skills and rescues. But those that chase hurricanes up the coast may want to give this book a read.

There are many topics concerning rescues/safety I haven't seen covered well in other books (if at all). Some examples:

Sea-kayaking domains (e.g. open water, surf zone, rock gardens, inland marine waterways)

Rescues in surf and rock gardens (including swimming, assisted and self rescues)

Towing (and loose boat recovery in windy or current conditions)

Paddling in current and handling tide rips

Dealing with different types of boat traffic

Safety in surf and ocean rock gardens

Risk assessment

Group safety through teamwork (club and private group trips)

Training (to include site selection)

The light but adequate coverage of self/assisted rescues leads me to believe the author expects you to already know these basics, so I still recommend the book by Schumann/Shriner for beginners/adv beginners. If you are starting to paddle in more advanced conditions, Woody gives Mr. Lull's book 2 thumbs up!

Travels With a Kayak by Whit Descher

Not a _technical_ book, but one to lift your spirits. The best way to describe this book would be "Dave Barry goes white water kayaking". Almost no mention of the on-water technical stuff, but full of silly banter on getting to put-ins around the world. An excerpt from the chapter on paddling in Pakistan:

Andy and I jeeped down past the river's carnivorous part then joined it and Slime [Slime was the trip leader], Marcus, and Mike once more. We paddled to the village of Balakot and here, above the final boulder garden, I asked Slime something I'd been wondering about for the last three weeks. I said, "Slime, you're the leader. What are you doing back here?"

"It's called hindsight."

"But hindsight is _after_ the fact."

"Sure, you watch where everyone disappears in this next drop and avoid that spot. Follow me and you won't get in trouble."

"Slime, I've been trying to follow you for weeks now but you always grab and hog the last possible microscopic eddy above each drop. Anyone behind you is committed to a thrashing."

"That's experience."

Sea Kayaking - A manual for Long-Distance Touring by John Dowd, fourth edition

Of all the general kayaking books I own, this is the one book I would recommend to everyone if they could only choose one. You can feel the practical experience ooze out of this book as you read it. It is obvious that John has 'been there, done that'. Don't let my short description sway you into thinking this isn't a book for you. This is THE book on sea kayaking!

Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation by David Burch

I learn (or re-learn) something new every time I pick this book up. A bit heavy for a beginner, but the beauty of this book is you can read it once and come away with a basic level of understanding about navigation. As your experience in kayaking improves, you can read it again and come away with an even deeper understanding. I've gone through this book four times, and I'm still learning and understanding new things.

Deep Trouble

Some folks highly recommend 'Deep Trouble' as a book to inform beginners how things can go so wrong. I found it hard to read and a bit dry at times, but others have said I was nuts and that it is an excellent book. I'll at least agree the premise is good, but this is my book list. If you have no idea just how dangerous kayaking can be, even on something as benign as a calm lake, give this book a try.

Video Reviews

It seems that the next big thing in kayak information is video. Although not as good as a live class, it is a major step up from trying to learn from a book. Below are a few of the best that I've found.

The Kayak Roll

Buy on Amazon

To start, this video is great for learning an effortless, low-resistance screw roll. But what puts this video over the top is almost half of the video is dedicated to diagnosing what causes a roll to fail. Excellent for student and teacher alike.

Nigel Foster's Sea Kayaking Series

Starling Productions - Nigel Foster's Sea Kayak Training Videos

There is a LOT of repetativeness between these videos, but they are also very very good. The tape on rolling has finally given me an easy, progressive way to teach rolling to students.

Misc (e.g. all the others)

I've got many other books on the technical side of kayaking, but the above are are my favorites. Below is a list and short description of all the others in my library: (This section is still under construction)

BCU Handbooks

Buy Canoe and Kayak Handbook on Amazon

The BCU handbook is good, but you really need instruction to go along with the technical portions of the book. I should note that I have been told that the latest edition of the Handbook has removed a lot of great information. You may wish to look for an earlier edition.

I've recently picked up the BCU handbook on kayaking with persons with disabilities - good book for instructors and people with special needs.

Canoeing for Disabled People

Homelands: Kayaking the Inside Passage

Buy on Amazon

Homelands is about a couple kayaking together, and some of the emotions that go along with such a trip when two people are in tune with each other.

Southern Exposure

Buy on Amazon

On Celtic Tides was good, but Chris' book on his solo trip around New Zealand's South Island is nothing short of great. I could feel the ocean swell as Chris described his journey in great detail. I lived through his harrowing tale of crash landing on a rocky shore, smashing his boat and nearly ending his trip. I feel as if I were there on only the second successful circumnavigation of the South Island.

Top Tips for Coaches

This book is supposed to contain "Over 300 Top Tips and Handy Hints for Canoe and Kayak Coaches"

ISBN 0-9531956-6-X

I'm serious about this next statement folks: Don't buy this book unless you need something to wipe your butt with on the trail. This book sucked so bad I even put the 6 books from the same publishing house listed in the back of the book on my "do not buy" list.

Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay

Buy on Amazon

I've written about my trips to Mallows Bay several times. If they peaked your interest, and you want more detail on the area, this is the definitive book to find out more.

Blazing Paddles: A Scottish Coastal Odyssey

Buy on Amazon

What can I say? I like books about journeys, and this is another great one by Brian Wilson. Good luck in finding it - I had to order a used copy as I think this is no longer in print. When the book arrived it had Mr. Wilson's autograph!

Sea Kayaking Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast

Buy on Amazon

Long considered a reference for many people along the upper-mid east coast. You may recognize Tamsin Venn's name as the editor for Atlantic Coastal Kayaker magazine.

Another good book is Maryland and Delaware Canoe Trails by Edward Gertler:

Maryland and Delaware Canoe Trails: A Paddler's Guide to Rivers of the Old Line and First States

But my favorite is Sea Kayaking Maryland's Chesapeake Bay - Day Trips on the Tidal Tributaries and Coastlines of the Western and Eastern Shore, a brand new book by Michael Savario and Andrea Nolan. After thumbing through it a bit it appears well written. It covers about 30 paddling locations along the eastern and western shore, Patuxent and the Potomac (Maryland side). This book seems to be much more 'in touch' with the local area (IMO) than the often mentioned Venn and Gertler books.

The one down side is the Bay watershed is HUGE. 30 paddling destinations just begin to scratch the surface of what is available to us - but it also leaves open the option for a volume 2! This moves to the top of my list for local paddling guide books.

Buy on Amazon

Sea Kayaking Virginia

Sea Kayaking Virginia - A Paddler's Guide to Day Trips from Georgetown to Chincoteage.

Full Discloser Caveat - I'm mentioned in this book along with this web site, albiet my last name is spelled wrong:)

Having said that, in this second book from Andrea Nolan, I can't help noticing the passion that seeps out of each paddling destination's description. My favorite Maryland kayaking destination book now has a Virginia cousin. Andrea's writing continues to excel and I'm looking forward to exploring the gems she has uncovered!

Buy on Amazon

Spirited Waters: Soloing South Through the Inside Passage

Buy on Amazon

A solo, and moving journey both through the Inside Passage, and through one's soul. Ms. Hahn completed this journey in sections, over several years. One day I hope to do the same...

The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking, 4th Edition

Buy on Amazon

Probably one of the better books by Derek, but to be honest, The John Dowd book is MUCH better. It looks like Amazon is planning to sell a 5th edition, so if you want to add this to your collection, you might check for an updated copy.

Kayak Cookery, 2nd Edition

Buy on Amazon

Hey, I'm not a cook by any stretch of the imagination. But this book has a lot of great recipes, tips, and tricks to fuel your kayak's engine.

The Lightweight Gourmet: Drying and Cooking Food for the Outdoor Life

Buy on Amazon

Not specifically for kayaking - but if you take a journey of any length, you'll need to learn these tips for cooking outdoors.

The Starship and the Canoe

Buy on Amazon

Great biography about father and son - one looking to the stars, the other looking to the water. Both a bit eccentric. If you like odd, you'll like this book.

The above is a book written about George Dyson, below is a book written by him. A great coffee table piece, and a good read also.

Buy on Amazon

Extreme Sea Kayaking: A Survival Guide

Buy on Amazon

You'll never catch me doing what these guys do, but there are a few tips scattered in the book that may come in handy if I'm ever caught by surprise. The average recreational kayaker will probably (hopefully) never need any of this info.

Complete Folding Kayaker, Second Edition

Buy on Amazon

The link is to the second edition - I bought the first edition. It was a great book for those who carry their boat in a bag. I'd rather see Ralph focus on just the differences in folding boats and leave the general topics to others. Not because he doesn't cover them well, but because I'd rather read about folding boat tips and tricks, which he has packed into this book.

Kayak Camping

Buy on Amazon

Out of print. Weak on details specific to camping. Skip it unless you see it for $1 at a garage sale.

A better choice is Camping's Top Secrets. Excellent read with lots a tips and tricks, many which apply to kayaking:

Buy on Amazon

The Strip-Built Sea Kayak: Three Rugged, Beautiful Boats You Can Build

Buy on Amazon

I built my first kayak from this book. It has a special place with me. The author's web site offers a multitude of assistance in building strip boats.

Sea Kayaker's Pocket Guide

I don't like pocket guides - why buy the digest version when there are so many full blown great books? Having said that, Ms Johnson's pocket guide is pretty good. I'll buy some of her full feature books in the future.

Sea Kayaker's Savvy Paddler: More than 500 Tips for Better Kayaking

Buy on Amazon

Ok, some of the tips are very lame, but there are tons of good ones too! Excellent read.

Keep Australia on Your Left: A True Story of an Attempt to Circumnavigate Australia by Kayak

Buy on Amazon

Loved it! Another journey tale with lots of planning details.

The Coastal Kayaker's Manual, 3rd edition: The Complete Guide to Skills, Gear, and Sea Sense

Buy on Amazon

This is a fair, well written, but John Dowd's book is still superior. If you can't find John's book, this makes a good second choice.

A Small Tall Tale from the Far Far North

Buy on Amazon

Chronicles the life of Czech folk hero Jan Welzl. This reminds me of a children's book. More art than text. In fact, very little text at all, with just one line descriptions at the bottom of each page. It was interesting enough that I may use it to read to my grandchildren one day.

Nigel Foster's Surf Kayaking

Buy on Amazon

We all have our favorites. Nigel Foster is one of my favorite instructors. I enjoyed and learned from this book, and I'm getting a LOT out of his video series.

Trailside Guide: Kayaking, New Edition

Buy on Amazon

I have the 'old edition', which is in a vinyl cover to make it seem water resistant. This was my first kayaking book for the cartoon drawings inside served me well, but I quickly out grew the book.

Kayak Touring: Canoe & Kayak Techniques

Buy on Amazon

From Canoe and Kayak magazine. It would make a good basic pamphlet if given away free with new kayaks, but compared to other books, this one you can skip.

The Bombproof Roll and Beyond

Buy on Amazon

Let me set expectations: Very few people can learn to roll from a book or by watching a video. But if this is something you want to try, nothing I say is going to change your mind. This is probably the standard by which others are judged.

Kayak Touring & Camping

Buy on Amazon

Yawn. Better books out there. Much better... You have to look hard for camping info.

Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak: One Woman's Journey Through the North West Passage

Buy on Amazon

Interesting story. Also interesting is her initial partner's book which puts a different spin on things that happened. This is a better book than Don Starkell's account, but I still recommend reading both of these.

Buy on Amazon

Deep Water Passage: A Spiritual Journey at Midlife

Buy on Amazon

Ann Linnea is a good writer - don't get me wrong. I enjoyed this book. I think it is difficult for someone to 'find them self' in their forties - many of us do that at a much younger age. But I get the feeling she was holding something back...

A Kayak Full of Ghosts

A girl named Kala stood on a lonely headland and she saw two men in a kayak paddling toward her. One of the men shouted that he had no wife. Would she like to lie with him? But she had no interest in him, or the other one, so she told them to paddle on their way or they would taste her spear-point. And as she turned her back to them, she felt her hands and legs become stone. She called out:

"Kayak men, come back. You may take me to wife if you wish."

The kayak men paddled on. Now Kala felt her shoulders and head grow stiff. She called out again:

"Kayak men, dear kayak men. Please take me to wife."

Again they ignored her. Now all but her navel turned to stone.

"Dear kayak men, you may both take me..."

Too late! She was now a pillar of stone. For the Stone Spirit had married her as it marries anyone who turns his back on his fellow human beings.

Forever more Kala remained on that headland. She did not have offspring. Sea-birds came and shat upon her.

From "A Kayak Full of Ghosts". Gathered and retold by Lawrence Millman. A raw and graphic collection of Eskimo folk tales so crude that I struggled to find an excerpt from the book that I could post to the web site. An interesting read, but not for those that are easily offended by the use of vulgar language.