Canoe Handbook, The: Techniques for Mastering the Sport of Canoeing [Paperback]

Slim Ray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1992

Using proven teaching methods developed at the acclaimed Nantahala Outdoor Center, Ray presents the basic maneuvers for all canoeists.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Here is a canoe instruction book that goes beyond the usual beginners' flatwater guides. The author, an instructor with the Nantahala Outdoor Center, provides a lengthy section on elementary white-water canoeing and how to "read" water, as well as chapters on the usual flat water strokes. The technique known as "the Eskimo roll," utilized in open canoeing, is also discussed. Clearly, this is an instruction book geared to the intermediate canoeist and above. While the book covers some basic material for beginners, the American National Red Cross's Canoeing (Doubleday, 1977. o.p.) or Laurie Gullion's Canoeing and Kayaking Instruction Manual (American Canoe Assn., 1987) are more appropriate for elementary instruction. This welcome addition to canoeing literature is highly recommended for large canoeing collections, or wherever the sport is popular.
- Donald H. Dederick, SUNY Health Science Ctr., Brooklyn
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

An excellent teaching resource. -- Four Corners River Sports

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (February 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811730328
• ISBN-13: 978-0811730327
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #623,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Kayaking > Whitewater Kayaking

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for wide variety of paddling info, April 18, 2000

By 

B. Blake - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Canoe Handbook, The: Techniques for Mastering the Sport of Canoeing (Paperback)

While this title may contain too much information for someone who has never paddled a canoe, it is an excellent resource for those who have paddled a bit but have never had formal instruction. There is detailed instruction on a variety of strokes as well as identifying, entering and peeling out of eddies. There is also very important info about reading water and identifying hazards such as undercut rocks, strainers, hydraulics etc. Also included is basic instruction on water-reading. This book has made it much easier for me to teach less experienced paddlers. If you've been in a canoe enough to know how to get down an easy river, this book will likely have parts that are under and over your head. If you're somewhere between beginner and expert, this book is definitely worth reading.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, October 18, 2005

By 

Frank Genar "frank_ge" (Belgium) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canoe Handbook, The: Techniques for Mastering the Sport of Canoeing (Paperback)

I am quite a novice into paddling, have done it a few times as "one of those tourists in a rental canoe". Then purchased a canoe and two books including this one. I've never been aware that there was so much to know about canoes, water and paddling technique. I already learned a lot and will be able to re-use this book to review and learn more after I've practised the first items.
I would recommend this book to anybody in a similar or slightly more advanced situation. You should note however that this book is primarily focussing on down-river canoeing. Flat water is also covered briefly and a lot of river technique also work for lakes. In case you would be looking for specifics on flat-water navigation, canoe behavior in windy conditions or trip planning, this book might be less appropriate.