Sea Kayaker's Savvy Paddler: More than 500 Tips for Better Kayaking [Paperback]

Doug Alderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 2001

500+ easy-to-digest tips for making sea kayaking safer and more enjoyable

Drawn in part from the popular "Tips" column appearing in Sea Kayaker magazine, SEA KAYAKER’S SAVVY PADDLER arms novice and expert paddlers alike with helpful, tested-and-refined-in-the-field advice. The tips and techniques are inventive, yet head-smackingly simple: for example, convert an old CD into a signal mirror; use a drinking straw to suck the air from bread bags to add days of freshness. These great ideas are complemented by practical discussions of such things as how to pack a kayak for a multi-day trip, lists of essential touring items, advice on choosing the best paddling boat or partner, recipes for quick meals on the water or in camp, and much more. Tips are organized into sections for ease of access:

* Major purchases
* Outfitting
* Navigation and safety
* Food, clothing and shelter
* Health and fitness

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"I wish this book had been available twenty years ago when I first took up sea kayaking. It would have helped me avoid having to learn many things the hard way."--from the foreword by Christopher Cunningham, editor, Sea Kayaker

Simple, Practical, Ingenious.

Doug Alderson has been paddling for years, and in Sea Kayaker's Savvy Paddler he shares his hard-earned wisdom. These 538 tips on everything from gear and clothing to navigation and campcraft have been tried, tested, and refined by seasoned paddlers. You're guaranteed to find in these pages revelations that will have you wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?"

About the Author

Doug Alderson is a sea kayaking instructor, certified by the British Canoe Union and the Canadian Recreation Canoe Association. He teaches and guides year-round from his home base on Vancouver Island, where he also designs and builds boats.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (March 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071362037
• ISBN-13: 978-0071362030
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,296,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #100 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Kayaking > Sea Kayaking

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars confidence and knowledge for even the newest paddlers, June 12, 2001

By 

Robyn Roberts (Hampton, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sea Kayaker's Savvy Paddler: More than 500 Tips for Better Kayaking (Paperback)

I started paddling just 2 months ago and bought this book before my first venture on the water. After reading it I felt like I had a basic idea of the kinds of things that could happen to me and what I could do about them. It contains advice from many experienced paddlers who want to help you avoid their mistakes and have a great time paddling. Being new to the sport I didn't even know what questions to ask - this book covers topics I hadn't even thought about. It gives advice on the best fabric choices in clothes for the weather, what to pack on the boat, what to have waiting for you at the end of your trip (hot cocoa among other things), how to tie some basic knots, how to scare bears away, how to pee without leaving the kayak (valuable information for women - like me). It's interesting, fun to read and not at all didactic. It includes many tips for more experienced paddlers and I will reread it often as I advance in the sport. The tips are offered by paddlers who obviously love their sport and want to share their great time with everyone else.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reference for Seakayakers, June 23, 2006

By 

T. Percy "Cdr Tom" (Stavanger, Norway) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sea Kayaker's Savvy Paddler: More than 500 Tips for Better Kayaking (Paperback)

As a kayak instructor, I highly recommend you purchase this book and keep it handy to read and review on a regular basis. It is not only great for beginners but also seasoned paddlers. One of the most overwhelming aspects of this sport is figuring out what gear you really need - especially when you see the price tags in all the "gucci" paddling stores these days. Doug Alderson brings kayaking back to basics by giving you hints on how you can enhance your kayaking kit with things from around the house or the dollar store. His tips are usually so simple they're ingenious. (Did you know that when Doug isn't paddling he's a high school industrial arts teacher?). Moreover, his advice on how to plan a trip, stay safe, and have a hassle free camping experience are by far the best I've seen, a testament to Doug's vast seakaying experience. I use this book as one of my main instructing references since students often ask me questions that are well covered in this book. The more I read it, the more I appreciate how much thought went into each paragraph and illustration.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Author review, April 25, 2001

By 

Doug Alderson-author (Victoria, BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sea Kayaker's Savvy Paddler: More than 500 Tips for Better Kayaking (Paperback)

Seakayaker's Savvy Paddler condenses many years of sea kayak paddling into a concise manual of how to make your paddling, easier, safer, cheaper and more enjoyable. You can read it from the inside out or from cover to cover. Either way, you will find succinct advice and short-snappy TIPS ready to put to good use in a brief paddle around the lake or an extended trip along the open coast. This book will help you do more with less and extend your enjoyment, safety and adventure while exploring in your seakayak.