Paddlewisers, I'm relatively new to touring kayaking, and when I really get into something, I like to delve into the literature of it (both the "literary" and the instructional). I'm the same way about flyfishing (a GREAT body of literature). So far, I've read (or am currently reading): "Baja Journey" by Robin Carey (pretty good) "Kayaking the Vermilion Sea" by Jonathan Waterman (a little self-absorbed and not enough about paddling for me) "The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the Pacific" by Paul Theroux (not so much about paddling so far --- page 110 --- but he's so good it hardly matters) I've also been pointed to: A Boat in Our Baggage (can't remember the author's name at the moment) Any other suggestions? Any good sea kayaking fiction out there? I didn't include how-to/instructional books in this list, but I've read: "A Woman's Guide to Sea Kayaking" (I think that's the title) by Shelley Johnson (great book for men, too) "The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking" by Derek Hutchinson (good stuff, though really pointed more at actual SEA kayaking as opposed to touring kayaking on other sorts of water (and being in northwest Arkansas, I've got quick access to some great large lakes and some rivers, but no oceans). I want to read Ralph Diaz's "The Complete Folding Kayaker" as I'm already looking forward to traveling with my next boat (I've had my own boat for less than two months, though I've begged and borrowed and rented for the last year or so). I also would like a good book on navigation. David Burch's "Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation" seems to be the only one available, though I thought I had read mention of a new one as well. Comments, recommendations, etc. much appreciated. Cheers, Steve =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Steven Jarvis sjarvis_at_dicksonstreet.com Fayetteville, Arkansas USA =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
"Steven W. Jarvis" wrote: > > Paddlewisers, > > I'm relatively new to touring kayaking, and when I really get into > something, I like to delve into the literature of it (both the "literary" > and the instructional). Here are some recommendations: "Day of Two Sunsets" by Michael Blades is an excellent book. It does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of kayak touring in the Pacific Northwest. "Seekers of the Horizon", a collection of kayaking essays edited by Will Nordby, is another excellent book. It contains stories from around the world, including Hannes Lindemann's account of his epic voyage across the Atlantic, an interesting story by John Bauman about his circumnavigation of Iceland, and a story by Nordby about a trip to Glacier Bay (which contains an interesting account of a bear that had a paddler for dinner--quite literally, I'm sorry to say). Regarding instructional books, in addition to the Hutchinson book I would suggest that you read the basic manuals written by John Dowd, Randel Washburne, and Nigel Foster, each of which is excellent. This should give you a diversity of opinions. I also strongly recommend the Broze manuals that can be found on the Mariner Kayaks web site (www.marinerkayaks.com). An excellent primer on marine weather is Jeff Renner's "Northwest Marine Weather", which focuses on the Northwest but has a lot of information of more general interest (presented in an exceptionally clear manner). From there you can move on to more advanced weather texts. And by all means read the Burch book on kayak navigation. This should help get you started. Oh yeah, one more recommendation. For a portrayal of the stunning potential of the human spirit, read Alfred Lansing's "Endurance". Reading this book will inspire you never to give up. Dan Hagen Bellingham, Washington *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
The Waterman book is one of the most outstandingly bad books I have ever read on any subject. It is so bad it is funny. Don Starkell's "Paddle to the Arctic" is an interesting study in microdecisions by a guy trying to paddle the Northwest Passage. It could have used editing. The author seems both admirable and a little nuts. Hutchinson's and Dowd's books are always recommended. The latter is wonderfully concise. Steven W. Jarvis wrote: > Paddlewisers, > > I'm relatively new to touring kayaking, and when I really get into > something, I like to delve into the literature of it (both the "literary" > and the instructional). I'm the same way about flyfishing (a GREAT body of > literature). So far, I've read (or am currently reading): > > "Baja Journey" by Robin Carey (pretty good) > > "Kayaking the Vermilion Sea" by Jonathan Waterman (a little self-absorbed > and not enough about paddling for me) > > "The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the Pacific" by Paul Theroux (not so > much about paddling so far --- page 110 --- but he's so good it hardly > matters) > > I've also been pointed to: > > A Boat in Our Baggage (can't remember the author's name at the moment) > > Any other suggestions? Any good sea kayaking fiction out there? > > I didn't include how-to/instructional books in this list, but I've read: > > "A Woman's Guide to Sea Kayaking" (I think that's the title) by Shelley > Johnson (great book for men, too) > > "The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking" by Derek Hutchinson (good stuff, though > really pointed more at actual SEA kayaking as opposed to touring kayaking on > other sorts of water (and being in northwest Arkansas, I've got quick access > to some great large lakes and some rivers, but no oceans). > > I want to read Ralph Diaz's "The Complete Folding Kayaker" as I'm already > looking forward to traveling with my next boat (I've had my own boat for > less than two months, though I've begged and borrowed and rented for the > last year or so). > > I also would like a good book on navigation. David Burch's "Fundamentals of > Kayak Navigation" seems to be the only one available, though I thought I had > read mention of a new one as well. > > Comments, recommendations, etc. much appreciated. > > Cheers, > > Steve > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= > Steven Jarvis > sjarvis_at_dicksonstreet.com > Fayetteville, Arkansas USA > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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