Sea Kayaking: A Woman's Guide - Softcover

Johnson, Shelley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0070329559 ISBN 13: 9780070329553

Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 1998

Synopsis

The only complete women's guide to sea kayaking. Shelley Johnson, a professional guide and kayak instructor, takes you through the process of becoming a kayaker, from deciding where you will paddle, to dealing with common fears and stumbling blocks.... .getting quality instruction. . .choosing your boat. . .learning paddling techniques. . .and planning your trips.

About this title

Review:

Novice paddlers and seasoned veterans alike will find this a highly readable and eminently sensible guidebook to the essentials of safe and enjoyable sea kayaking. Forget the macho approach--this is an instructional for women, written by a woman. Basing her instructive technique on the premise that women hail from the "talk it over and think it through first" school of outdoor learning, author Shelley Johnson's tone is friendly and conversational. Whether discussing useful ways to carry and transport a kayak, getting in and out of it, or staying afloat, she is quick to offer supportive, practical advice. Yes, for instance, proper paddling techniques are difficult to master; but with the easy-to-follow captioned photographs provided, forward, backward, turning, and support strokes are a whole lot easier to understand and ultimately execute. If your greatest fears are the "wet exit" (capsizing) and hypothermia, you'll be pleased to learn there are myriad ways to prepare for and/or prevent such safety hazards. In addition to lending her own expertise, Johnson also includes comments, stories, and instruction from veteran water women of all ages. Chapters on weather/tidal conditions, equipment, and heading out with children all brim with excellent tips and straightforward advice. A resource listing is also included. So if you want the lowdown on how to be well prepared, properly geared, and safety conscious in a sea kayak, this edition of the Ragged Mountain Press Woman's Guide series points the way. --Martha Silano

From the Back Cover:

"What a breath of fresh air! The Woman's Guides seek to provide a comfortable, friendly place in which women can challenge themselves and learn new skills. Reading Sea Kayaking: A Woman's Guide gave me a sense of camaraderie, like being back at camp with best friends." --Dagny Scott, Contributing Editor for Women's Sports, SHAPE magazine

Ragged Mountain Press Woman's Guides--the first book series designed for the growing number of women who are active outdoors. These comprehensive guides provide everything you need to get started and keep going. Throughout each book you'll find tips, advice, and words of wisdom from women who've done what you're about to do--learn a new sport. At last: books for women who love the outdoors, written in a woman's voice with a woman's approach to learning.

"A winner! . . . Renowned outdoors and paddlesports writer Shelley Johnson will inspire readers to get paddling." --Lafe Low, Executive Director, Adventure Club of North America

In Sea Kayaking: A Woman's Guide you'll find the knowledge and skills you need to become a self-sufficient paddler. Yes, you can load a kayak on a car by yourself . . . get in and out of your boat easily--without capsizing . . . help a capsized kayaker get back in her boat . . . perform (and even learn to love) an Eskimo roll! Shelley Johnson's fresh perspective and up-to-date presentation of techniques and equipment provide all the tools you need to become a confident, comfortable, capable sea kayaker!

"I was pretty hesitant about paddling a kayak out into the ocean, but after reading Shelley's suggestions for overcoming fear, I was ready to try." --Louise Allen, new sea kayaker

About this edition

• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0070329559
• ISBN 13: 9780070329553
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 144