Kayaking (Outdoor Pursuits Series) [Paperback]

Kent Ford (Author), Ford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1995 | Series: Outdoor Pursuits Series

Kent Ford, a kayaking instructor and 2-time world-champion paddler, aims to give readers a solid foundation on which to build their kayaking skills. The book covers all the basics beginners need to get started, including information on determining kayaking preference, choosing proper equipment and clothing, 7 fundamental kayaking strokes and getting in shape for kayaking. The book features clear and accurate instruction and full-colour photographs and instructions throughout for demonstrating proper technique. The book also provides detailed information on how to kayak correctly and safely. Readers interested in whitewater kayaking will learn how to handle rocks, eddies, waves and holes; how to perform whitewater manoeuvers; and how to avoid or deal with river hazards. For those who want to try sea kayaking, the book explains how to recover from a capsize, how to deal with the wind and weather, how to use the tides and current, and how to plan an easy day trip. Readers can also read about 64 of the best kayaking destinations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, England and Scotland, continental Europe and Australia, plus 9 of the author's favourite rivers.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"As close as you can get to a live instructor. This is the only book I have encountered that introduces all the basics and safety concerns of kayaking in an easily understandable format."

Scott Strausbaugh 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist, C-2 Slalom

"Finally, a kayaking instruction book which treats whitewater and sea kayaking as two instruments in the same band. Band leader Ford has the best paddling and instructional resume in the business."

Dave Harrison Editor-in-chief, Canoe & Kayak magazine

"An excellent source for those who want to get a grasp on the basics of sea kayaking but want to get a firmer grip on the choice aspects of whitewater kayaking."

Kim P. Whitley Outdoor Specialist The College of William and Mary

About the Author

Two-time world-champion paddler Kent Ford is a veteran of more than 250 rivers in 23 countries. He has been a member of the U.S. Whitewater Team almost every year since 1977, several times finishing in the top seven in world championships. In 1983 and 1985, he was a member of the world-champion C-1 slalom team, the second team in history to win this title twice.

From 1979 to 1991, Ford was a guide and instructor for Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, NC. For four of those years, he was the manager of the NOC Instruction Program, the largest canoe/kayak school in the United States.

Ford is the technical producer of several instructional videos, including Performance Sea Kayaking, The Kayaker’s Edge, Solo Playboating! and Take the Wild Ride: Freestyle Kayaking. He lives in Durango, CO, where he is a self-employed whitewater instructor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873226887
• ISBN-13: 978-0873226882
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,373,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid start that doesn't oversimplify the sport., February 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Kayaking (Outdoor Pursuits Series) (Paperback)

Actually, it's two sports -- depending on who you ask. Ford does a great job of acknowledging and exploring the similarities and common concerns of sea and whitewater kayaking. The simple and straightforward advice on instruction and gear selection makes this a great book to read before you ever get in a kayak. It provides you with the knowledge to ask good questions and make reasonable decisions when you go to purchase gear. The book splits later into sea and whitewater sections, so if you are already sold on one and don't want to know about the other, you might shy away from this title -- don't. Expert paddlers agree that all types of paddling have something to teach all types of paddlers. Taking a few minutes to become more familiar with the other side of kayaking will benefit you, and the getting started angle of this book is too good to miss. For the undecided, or for future whitewater paddlers, this is an easy to read overview of strokes, river reading, vocabulary, and other concerns with good photos to help explain major points. Simple advice on rolling, manuvering, playing, and safety will give you plenty of things to learn as you begin to explore the awesome fun of kayaking.,