Customer Reviews

Introduction to Paddling: Canoeing Basics for Lakes and Rivers

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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The American Canoe Association's Introduction to Paddling, canoeing basics for lakes and rivers, is a short and clear introduction to canoeing. It describes the canoe and related equipment, how to use same, and several cautionary thoughts.

The strokes described are few and clear, and river maneuvers and safety considerations are clearly laid out.

A fine introductory handbook for any novice canoeist, and probably all that is needed for thye casual paddler

In the 26 pages (between Foreword and Glossary) there is an awful lot of good explanation on canoe basics, complemented with many and clear drawings. As a novice in canoeing, I learned a lot more than one could expect from such a thin book. Some techniques like re-entering-the-canoe-in-deep-water and boat-over-boat rescue technique seem better explained here than they are in some thicker books. (I write "seem" as I haven't tried yet at the time of writing this :-) ).
It should be noted that this is -as the title says- a basic introduction book; the book has all the information you need to get started. It will enable you to row and control a lot better than the average newbee in a rental canoe, but that is about how far it goes.

For a complete novice like me this book is an essential starter pack and easy to understand. I found it to be a great teacher and agree that it is a starters book which will lead to safer canoeing and the correct thinking to further your learning through the experiences of other canoeists.