This amply illustrated introduction to flatwater and river paddling will be an important resource for both instructors and those who like to teach themselves....
Grab your paddle and enjoy Illinois' beautiful rivers. This comprehensive guidebook--the only one for Illinois--features 64 trips on 33 rivers. Rivers covered include Cashe, Des Plains, Embarras, Fox, Galena, Mackinaw, Middle Fork, and Spoon. This is the ultimate guide for canoe or kayak enthusiasts of all abilities.
Go with the flow! You’re no idiot, of course. You love being on the water and in the great outdoors. But when it comes to canoeing or kayaking, you’re starting to think you hear a waterfall. Don’t head for higher ground! The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Canoeing and Kayaking will prepare you for your journey—whether you’re heading down a local river, around a regional lake, or into the ocean. In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get: • Detailed information on the different types of canoes, kayaks, and tips for choosing the right one for you. • Paddling strokes, maneuvers, and techniques for all kinds of conditions. • Foolproof tips on navigating all types of waters—from rough rapids to slow-moving streams. • Great advice on using kayaks and canoes for fitness, fishing, camping, and competition. Learn more about: • Safety considerations, including quick exits, Eskimo Rolls, swift water-rescue techniques, and more. • Safely paddling with kids, to make sure everyone has fun. • Clothing and equipment, including how to choose and care for a personal flotation device. • Paddling techniques and how they evolved through the years. • Planning a trip and choosing an outfitter or guide. • Building your own canoe or kayak.
An introduction to canoeing that uses step-by-step photographs to demonstrate the essential strokes and maneuvers; includes safety tips and information on equipment.
The most comprehensive book ever written on canoeing technique ... essential guide for recreational paddlers is packed with information. -- Bushwacker's Wilderness Journal 09/2003.
"Canoeing not only provides you with the basic skills and knowledge you need to safely head out for adventures on a variety of water trails, but it also presents a strong foundational understanding of this recreational activity."--Back cover.
The Wilderness Paddler’s Handbook offers paddlers of any stripe Alan Kesselheim’s personal, engaging writing and his unsurpassed experience. Helpful sidebars, interspersed throughout the book, provide step-by-step instructions on all critical technical considerations. Everything a new or experienced paddler can expect to encounter is included, from trip planning, choosing the right gear, and packing, to camping, cooking, modifying your boat, and dealing with conditions on every kind of water. Whether it’s how to pick the right partner, negotiate a tricky rapid, go solo, or bring the entire family, it’s all here in this entertaining, inspiring, and informative guide. Alan Kesselheim has paddled thousands of wilderness miles – alone, with his wife, Marypat, and with his young children strapped into the canoe like babies in car seats. He’s paddled fast-moving rivers, windswept lakes, and quiet ponds. (One trip took him on a 13-month, 2000-mile journey from Grande Cache, Alberta, to Baker Lake in the Northwest Territories.) He’s also one of North America’s preeminent canoeing writers, and his hard-won opinions are highly respected.
The official word on river kayaking basics from the American Canoe Association, the nation's most respected authority on paddling, Introduction to River Kayaking provides beginning paddlers with everything they need to enjoy a safe kayak outing. With an emphasis on safety and kayak handling technique, Introduction to River Kayaking is the primary learning text for beginning kayakers, and for experienced kayakers who want to revisit the vital basics of river kayaking. Paddling safely requires, above all, the exercise of good judgment. And part of developing good judgment means understanding the challenges and hazards inherent in any situation and one's own ability to meet them. What are the Essentials of River Kayaking? - Safety - to safely paddle on rivers up through Class I, perform self-rescue, and respond to emergencies - Enjoyment - to become aware of paddling opportunities and the rewards of lifetime participation in paddling - Skills - to acquire the ability to safely and enjoyably paddle on Class I rivers Essentials of River Kayaking features: Real-life paddling scenarios The latest in kayaking safety and technology Illustrations and photographs of essential gear, boats, strokes, maneuvers, and rescue techniques Review questions and answers designed for the ACA's Essentials of River Kayaking course Detailed glossary of terms and important waterway safety information.