The Kayak Companion [Paperback]

Joe Glickman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 5, 2003

You can tell kayaks are cool, writes Joe Glickman, by the number of times they appear in advertisements for SUVs and beer. Today these sleek, fast watercraft are more popular than they have ever been in their 10,000-year history.

In THE KAYAK COMPANION, Joe Glickman, a two-time member of the U.S. National Marathon Kayak Team, teaches beginners the basic techniques for all kinds of kayaking - sea, touring, and recreational. For more experienced kayakers, he offers expert advice on how to navigate in all kinds of waters and weathers. And kayakers of every skill level will appreciate Glickman's candid assessments of the various types of boats; how to read a compass; troubleshooting in lousy weather; and how to deal with lightning, big fish, and marauding powerboats.

As Glickman discusses kayaking techniques, he interweaves stories of his own adventures as a kayaker, including such magical moments as the time when he saw a magnificent moon rise over New York City's Jamaica Bay and the day he almost made a fatal error during a ferocious 12-hour blizzard in Montana.

THE KAYAK COMPANION not only provides kayakers with essential information, it also inspires enthusiasm for one of the fastest-growing sports in North America.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The text provides inspiring insight into what makes kayakers tick and is a suitable introduction for the newcomer.” — Woodland Hills (CA) Daily News

 

“A quick flip through … reveals a lot of info for the beginner paddler and some interesting anecdotes for the more experienced kayaker.” — Atlantic Coastal Kayaker

 

“Glickman shares his knowledge, all gained the hard way, and uses his sense of humor to keep you entertained.” — Nashville Tennessean

 

“With expert guidance and fun, Glickman gives paddlers solid information on everything from how to climb into a kayak to how to read a compass.” — Sweat Magazine

 

“ … offers guidance from basic launch and stroke techniques to navigation, gear and rescue scenarios.” — Sea Kayaker

 

About the Author

Joe Glickman took up kayaking in 1993 while writing an article on Florida's 10,000 Islands for Men's Journal. Since then he's paddled and raced all over the United States, as well as in Thailand, Tahiti, and South Africa. He is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Outside, National Geographic Adventure, Inside Sports, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (May 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158017485X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580174855
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #631,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not much to learn from this book, even for a beginner, September 19, 2004

By 

Mark Olsson (Wet Side of WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Kayak Companion (Paperback)

The book is 50% watered down information, 50% anecdotes about the author paddling up some river or off the coast of NY or somewhere. Seems to be more oriented towards racing or endurance than just the average person who likes to paddle around. It doesn't have enough information for somebody just starting out, and it has no useful information for an advanced kayaker. Example: He says he's never tried a dry suit, but then goes on to tell you to use a two piece, but that they are probably too hot anyway... As for roll recoveries - he more or less says nobody really does that and it's too hard to explain anyway, so he didn't bother. If you want an excellent book, try "The Essential Sea Kayaker" instead. I got both of them at the same time, and The Kayak Companion is probably going on the shelf never to be read again.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good intro to kayaking, October 25, 2004

By 

Steven J. Mcallister "mclstr" (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Kayak Companion (Paperback)

This book is a fun read.

It was actually this book that got me back into kayaking after 30 years.
It is not meant to be a detailed book on the technic of kayaking, but a fun and entertaining adventure biography with enough detail to educate as well. There is just enough information for someone interested in kayaking to get started.
It's a good read for someone thinking about kayaking and interested in real life outdoor adventure.

steve

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration, good advice, lots of laughs, May 20, 2003

By 

ian (Naugatuck, Ct) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kayak Companion (Paperback)

This book helped me a lot. I've been paddling a plastic 16-foot kayak for two years and felt I was ready to advance in the sport. Reading Glickman's book was the next best thing to knowing a really experienced paddler who is happy to answer all your questions - including those you don't know enough to ask. When he listed the common mistakes paddlers make in the forward stroke, he could have been talking about me. I followed his advice and saw immediate improvement. The chapter on choosing a kayak was invaluable, and will save me a lot of money and time when I'm ready to upgrade. Glickman's stories of the trials and tribulations of his epic wilderness paddles were alternately inspiring and very funny. If you love kayaking - or think you might - you'll devour this book.