Kayak: The New Frontier: The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique [Paperback]

William Nealy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007

Completely updated to reflect the latest in paddling equipment and kayak technology, William Nealy’s illustrated kayaking manual is as practical as it is dead-on hilarious. Whether detailing hardcore hippy hairboaters or insane youngsters clattering tiny play boats down steep, rocky creeks, Nealy is back and more useful and entertaining than ever. Over 400 illustrations help Nealy break down even the most complex kayaking skills, making difficult whitewater techniques understandable. You may break a rib laughing, but with Nealy holding your hand you’ll be less likely to break a bone while boofing an insane rapid (or maybe an entire waterfall).

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Kayak: The New Frontier is destined to be a classic. Every single paddler can learn something from this book..." -- Johnny Molloy, Outdoor Writer

"Nealy's work is truly one-of-a-kind..... a great gift for both experienced paddlers and newcomers alike." -- Glen Bernard, Publisher, Paddler magazine

...this is a kayaker's, or want-to-be kayaker's most likely to get used resource. -- Eric Jackson

By far the most fun book I've ever seen on kayak instruction! -- Tao Berman

About the Author

A world famous cartoonist, William Nealy became a cult figure in the world of outdoor sports with his combination of instruction and artful caricatures in his paddling and mountain biking manuals. Nealy died in 2001.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Menasha Ridge Press; 1st edition (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897325893
• ISBN-13: 978-0897325899
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Kayaking > Whitewater Kayaking
  • #71 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Water Sports

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, July 18, 2008

By 

Cori. H (Eugene) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Kayak: The New Frontier: The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique (Paperback)

What a great book, the drawings are wonderful to see what to do when kayaking.

5.0 out of 5 stars Old School, January 3, 2012

By 

Pictureman "pictureman" (Richmond, Va) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Kayak: The New Frontier: The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique (Paperback)

I learned a lot from Nealy's books and maps when I first started boating. I was lucky enough to meet him. He had such an imaginative way of looking at things and making them memorable. His art puts an easily remembered view to the way things work and what actually happens when your moves don't. In the lower corner of the pages he shows a roll in progress; as you let them flip by under your thumb. Even today "if you can't spit, don't run run it" still applies, unless you enjoy being severely thrashed. Even if you are a short boat hot dog, give it a read and get an idea of what it was like in a 13' 2" boat running stuff without seeing videos, reading blogs/forums, depending on the few books available and often Nealy's maps to get even a clue what was over the next drop or round the corner. Oh yeah, no cell phones, imagine that, no help coming, on your own.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, this book really makes sense, July 1, 2010

By 

Satureja douglasii "herbabuena" (United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Kayak: The New Frontier: The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique (Paperback)

I just started whitewater kayaking with a class late last autumn and began paddling outside 2 1/2 months ago. So far I've put in about 90 hours boating in that time and the concepts in this book finally feel like they're starting to sink in.

The explanations are really clear. The illustrations are (of course) fantastic. And humorous, which helps keep the topics interesting, for those of us who would prefer to be actually ON the water, rather than reading about it!

Sometimes it really helps to experience physical visuals, too. Nealy describes eddy fences and boils in a way that really makes them seem like 3-D features. Which they are. But until I paddled the Ottawa River, the ones I encountered were so subtle that their shape wasn't clear. While there on the Ottawa, I really *saw* and *felt* them, and had my "Aha! This is what he means!" moment.

I've read the book once, and I think it's time to read it again. I imagine I'll be reading it over and over as I progress, picking up different useful things at each stage of my development.