This Month's Books

Sea Kayaking Illustrated: A Visual Guide to Better Paddling

by John Robison

Ragged Mountain Press, 2003

ISBN 0-07-139234-3

238 pp, b/w illustrations $23.96 Cdn, $14.95 US

www.mcgrawhill.ca

John Robison combines his love of doodling with his love of kayaking, and uses humor in illustrations and text to communicate essential information for kayakers. Fifteen chapters discuss gear, basic paddling skills, rescues, navigation and hazards, how to pee aboard (we did mention “essential information”!) camping protocols and more. This is an easy and entertaining read that will give you tons of information if you are considering getting into kayaking or expanding your paddling experiences beyond day trips.

Fit to Paddle: The Paddler’s Guide to Strength and Conditioning

by Rocky Snyder

Ragged Mountain Press, 2003

ISBN 0-07-141952-7

172 pp, b/w photos

$23.96 Cdn, $14.95 US www.mcgrawhill.ca

Rocky Snyder draws on several disciplines in this fitness manual specifically designed for paddlers. Yoga poses, ball and weight work, resistance and endurance training are demonstrated through detailed instructions and photos to help you learn the proper form of a variety of exercises. Sample programs, an Exercises at a Glance chart and a Workout Log are provided to help you plan your personal three part exercise program to improve endurance, strength and flexibility. All paddlers, experienced or not, will enjoy paddling more and will avoid injury and strain if they keep fit. This manual is a handy tool for reaching your fitness goals.

Performance Sea Kayaking

Performance Video and Instruction

Caitlin Press, 2003 ISBN 0-920576-98-2

2003 ISBN 0-9660569-9-X DVD / VHS, 58 minutes $29.95 US

www.performancevideo.com

Subtitled “The Basics… and Beyond,” this video (also in DVD format) explains key concepts relating to paddling strokes, safety and more. It will show you how to paddle more efficiently, recover from a capsize, learn the Eskimo roll, practice navigational skills and maybe even venture into the surf. Packed with information from those in the know, Performance Sea Kayaking is a great addition to the paddler’s library.

First Aid At Sea

by Douglas Justins & Colin Berry Adlard

Coles Nautical, 2003 ,

2003 ISBN 0-7136- 6709-5

27 pp, color illustrations $22.95 Cdn

www.raincoast.com

This first aid manual is coil bound and printed on tabbed card stock for ease of use and durability—it is definitely designed to be taken with you. Information and treatment instructions are given for Bleeding and Shock, Asphyxia, Burns and Scalds, Drowning and Hypothermia, Fractures and Sprains, Rescue Breathing, Head Injury and Wounds and other illnesses and situations that require a first aid response. Highlighted Do and Don’t boxes and color illustrations help to focus attention on what’s important. A good resource to tuck into your dry bag every time you head out, no matter how long you plan to be on the water. Available in Canada from Raincoast Books.

Living With Weather Along the British Columbia Coast

by Owen S. Lange

Environment Canada, 2003,

ISBN 0-660-18984-4

204 pp, illustrations, maps, charts, satellite photos $29.95 Cdn

Because weather is a critical part of any boating experience, it behooves those of us who venture out on coastal waters to be as knowledgeable as possible about how weather works on the coast. Living With Weather is an excellent tool for that purpose. Beginning with a general overview of all things weather-related, Lange goes on to outline prevalent conditions in specific areas along the BC coast. Personal comments, quotes, anecdotes and coastal trivia raise this volume above the purely technical and ensure interesting reading, cover to cover. An understanding of the content of this book will help all mariners, whether paddling a kayak or skippering a mothership yacht, plan a safe and enjoyable trip with increased confidence.

The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Knots & Ropework

by Geoffrey Budworth

Hermes House, 2002,

ISBN 1-84309-138-0

256 pp, color photos, glossary, index $32.50 US

The title says it all. This volume includes carefully worded instructions for over 200 knots illustrated by more than 1200 bright, clear, color photos. Descriptions and explanations of the qualities of rope material, and notes about the history, origins and uses of knots make interesting and informative reading. This listing of knots provides plenty of scope for most people who need a knowledge of knot tying for recreational or safety purposes, or just want the satisfaction of creating knots for their beauty. Knots are grouped and coded with icons to indicate usefulness for Angling/Fishing, Boating/ Sailing, Caving/Climbing, General Purpose and Outdoor Pursuits. This book would provide hours of quiet entertainment for shore time on a sea kayak trip while increasing useful skills.

Backroad Mapbook: Southwestern BC

Mussio Ventures, 2003,

ISBN 1-894556-20-8

151 pp, color maps, b/w photos, index $22.95 Cdn

backroadmapbooks.com

Now coil bound for ease of use, this recently updated Backroad Mapbook provides a lifetime of exploration for paddlers, hikers, fishers and wildlife watchers, all within southwestern British Columbia. Information in the Mapbook is organized into two parts—Reference and Maps. The reference section consists of listings for destinations classified according to activity: Backroad Travel, Fishing, Hot Springs, Paddling Routes, Parks, Multi-use Trails, Wilderness Camping, Wildlife Viewing, Winter Recreation and Service Providers. Relief shading on the maps in the map section, another improvement in this latest edition, makes it easy to visualize the topography of the region. Symbols indicating recreational activities, road classification (highways, paved secondary roads, forest service roads, active logging roads, trails, etc.), services and points of interest all help to make this an indispensable guide for anyone planning to get out of the city. Backroad Mapbooks