This Month's Books

The Practical Guide to Kayaking & Canoeing by Bill Mattos

Lorenz Books, 2002 ISBN 0-7548-1065-8 www.lorenzbooks.com hardcover, colour photos, 256 pp., $40 US

In this large, colourful "how-to" guide, information about every conceivable topic relating to paddling skills is lavishly illustrated with photographs. The Introduction discusses the origins of paddling and the history of paddling boats, with a thorough description of the contemporary kayak and canoe.

Chapter 2: ‘Getting Started', is an extensive chapter covering instructions for your first paddle, with equipment and preparation, kayaking and canoeing skills, including rolling.

Chapter 3: ‘On to Moving Water', details the skills, equipment and etiquette of white water paddling.

Chapter 4: ‘Open Horizons', takes you on to open water with information about tides and currents, wind and waves, navigation, best boats for open water and stroke variations.

Chapter 5: ‘Advanced Paddling', is for extreme paddlers and competitors (squirt boating, kayak surfing, kayak and canoe sailing, slalom, river racing, canoe polo, dragon boat racing) and includes a section about paddling in other countries.

Chapter 6: ‘Keeping Safe', discusses safety, rescue and medical information.

"Tips" and "Checklists" sidebars throughout summarize key points, and a Glossary, Index, Reading List and Useful Addresses provide additional information.

If you don't choose to take paddling lessons, this guide is the next best thing!

New York Exposed: The Whitewater State Volume I

by Dennis Squires

A White Water Outlaw Publishing, 2002 softcover, b/w photos and maps, 222 pp, $19.95 US www.whitewateroutlaw.com

This self-published guide for paddling in New York State is a little on the funky side with hand-drawn cartoons and maps, and a down-home writing style. Author Dennis Squires has been paddling creeks and rivers in New York for 14 years and shares his experience with information about 67 paddling destinations in the northern part of the state (watch for Volume II which will cover the rest). Everything you need to know is here, including the location of the nearest store for last minute supplies. Personal anecdotes and plenty of humor are thrown in for good measure (you'll have to laugh at the moose photos). This guide will appeal to white water paddlers who are looking for extreme adventure, although Dennis has tried to make the guide comprehensive by including some class 1, 2 and 3 runs.