Learning to Sail

It was crazy. It was unthinkable. It was the adventure of a lifetime. When Don and Dana Starkell left Winnipeg in a tiny three-seater canoe, they had no idea of the dangers that lay ahead. Two years and 12,180 miles later, father and son had each paddled nearly twenty million strokes, slept on beaches, in jungles and fields, dined on tapir, shark, and heaps of roasted ants. They encountered piranhas, wild pigs, and hungry alligators. They were arrested, shot at, taken for spies and drug smugglers, and set upon by pirates. They had lived through terrifying hurricanes, food poisoning, and near starvation. And at the same time they had set a record for a thrilling, unforgettable voyage of discovery and old-fashioned adventure.

A concise instruction book for beginners and a handy review guide for experienced paddlers, The Basic Book of Sea Kayaking is a must for anyone drawn to the sport of sea kayaking. Derek C. Hutchinson whittles his forty years of experience into five easy-to-understand chapters, covering the fundamentals of this exciting paddlesport. Fifty-plus detailed color illustrations show you how to perform key maneuvers, from the forward paddling stroke to the Eskimo roll. Whether kayaking for exercise, outdoor exploration, or pure fun, this book covers everything you need to know, including: choosing the right kayak and paddle; proper clothing, footwear, and equipment; the lowdown on how to load and launch your boat; tips on basic kayaking strokes; detailed explanations of rescue and capsize procedures; understanding the effect of tides and weather, and much more! Derek C. Hutchinson is the leading international authority on sea kayaking, and has been designated as senior coach in the British Canoe Union. He travels extensively in North America and Europe, lecturing and teaching. He is also the author of four kayaking books and has led numerous sea kayaking expeditions.