Product Description'You can tell kayaks are cool,' writes Joe Glickman, 'by the number of times they appear in advertisements for SUVs and beer.' Today these sleek, fast watercraft are more popular than they have ever been in their 10,000-year history.
In THE KAYAK COMPANION, Joe Glickman, a two-time member of the U.S. National Marathon Kayak Team, teaches beginners the basic techniques for all kinds of kayaking - sea, touring, and recreational. For more experienced kayakers, he offers expert advice on how to navigate in all kinds of waters and weathers. And kayakers of every skill level will appreciate Glickman's candid assessments of the various types of boats; how to read a compass; troubleshooting in lousy weather; and how to deal with lightning, big fish, and marauding powerboats.
As Glickman discusses kayaking techniques, he interweaves stories of his own adventures as a kayaker, including such magical moments as the time when he saw a magnificent moon rise over New York City's Jamaica Bay and the day he almost made a fatal error during a ferocious 12-hour blizzard in Montana.
THE KAYAK COMPANION not only provides kayakers with essential information, it also inspires enthusiasm for one of the fastest-growing sports in North America.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Poor book, look elsewhere
The author seems more interested in building his macho paddler image with tales of paddling in punishing circumstances over incredible distances, than in teaching basics (or advanced techniques). I borrowed the book from the library, read it for an hour, and returned it the next day. There is nothing useful here
Rating: - The Book is Great...For ANYONE.
I am new to kayaking, so I thought got a LOT out of joe's stories, experience, and explinations of kayaking techniques and philosphy. I can see where a more experienced kayaker may feel that the information in this book is beneath them...
(caveat: Kayakers seem to be like bodybuilders...they all think they know everything and can't wait to tell you about the way you should be doing things.)
....but I still think the book is great for even experienced paddlers. Why? Becasue ... Read More
Rating: - Good for beginners
I just took a couple on-the-water classes and this book covers the same techniques taught by our instructor (getting back in a kayak with help from one other person, sweep stroke, crab walk, etc.). It is not an in-depth reference book but I just wanted a book to help me remember what we learned in class and this book serves that purpose.
Rating: - Good intro to kayaking
This book is a fun read.
It was actually this book that got me back into kayaking after 30 years.
It is not meant to be a detailed book on the technic of kayaking, but a fun and entertaining adventure biography with enough detail to educate as well. There is just enough information for someone interested in kayaking to get started.
It's a good read for someone thinking about kayaking and interested in real life outdoor adventure.
steve
Rating: - Not much to learn from this book, even for a beginner
The book is 50% watered down information, 50% anecdotes about the author paddling up some river or off the coast of NY or somewhere. Seems to be more oriented towards racing or endurance than just the average person who likes to paddle around. It doesn't have enough information for somebody just starting out, and it has no useful information for an advanced kayaker. Example: He says he's never tried a dry suit, but then goes on to tell you to use a two piece, but that they are probably too hot anyway... ... Read More
- Poor book, look elsewhere
- The Book is Great...For ANYONE.
- Good for beginners
- Not much to learn from this book, even for a beginner
