Customer Reviews

The Kayak Companion

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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

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.

I am new to kayaking, so I thought got a LOT out of joe's stories, experience, and explinations of kayaking techniques and philosphy. I can see where a more experienced kayaker may feel that the information in this book is beneath them...

(caveat: Kayakers seem to be like bodybuilders...they all think they know everything and can't wait to tell you about the way you should be doing things.)

....but I still think the book is great for even experienced paddlers. Why? Becasue Joe Glickmann, besides being a very experienced kayaker, can write. The book is just a plain good read. It's funny. It has great stories and you can always learn something good from stories.

I say buy it.

Unless you have no idea of kayaking this is not the book for you. The information is so basic and elementary that I was vey disapointed. If however you are very new to the sport there are some goos basics. But you will out grow this book in hours not days.

I just took a couple on-the-water classes and this book covers the same techniques taught by our instructor (getting back in a kayak with help from one other person, sweep stroke, crab walk, etc.). It is not an in-depth reference book but I just wanted a book to help me remember what we learned in class and this book serves that purpose.

The author seems more interested in building his macho paddler image with tales of paddling in punishing circumstances over incredible distances, than in teaching basics (or advanced techniques). I borrowed the book from the library, read it for an hour, and returned it the next day. There is nothing useful here

This was the first ever kayak book I read and it took me from know nothing to having an idea of what I should be doing and the direction I should be going. Glickman provides tons of insight and anecdotes along side strokes, maneuvers and some rescues. This book also reads very easily where as some of the Kayak "guides" read like a product manual.

I bought my first kayak at the beginning of the summer and wish I had read this book before my first outing. Living in Charleston, there is water everywhere and I am enjoying the experience of being on the water powered by a paddle instead of a motor. Joe Glickman's Kayak Companion was great reading and informative from start to finish. I will be passing this book on to any of my friends that are excited about getting out on the water.

Good introductory book. It could have had a lot more specific information on kayaks and gear.