Kayaking Made Easy, 3rd; A Manual for Beginners with Tips for the Experienced

by Dennis Stuhaug

• ISBN13: 9780762738595
• ISBN10: 0762738596
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2006-04-01
• Publisher: FalconGuides

Summary

For beginners eager to explore and for more seasoned kayakers yearning to take longer expeditions, Kayaking Made Easy is the perfect handbook. Updated to reflect all the latest gear and techniques, this guide is brimming with excellent advice about every aspect of flat-water kayaking, offering tried-and-true techniques for enjoying this popular sport. Clearly written and generously illustrated, it presents a step-by-step approach, first familiarising you with the gear, then proceeding through the various strokes, and finally covering the complexities of long-distance navigation. Whether you are putting paddle to the water for the first time or planning a lengthy voyage, this comprehensive guide should be on the top of your reading list.

Author Biography

Dennis Stuhaug is a former editor with Canoe & Kayak magazine and the author of Basic Essentials Sit-on-Top Kayaking (FalconGuides). He lives, writes, and paddles in the Seattle area.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD	xi
PREFACE	xiii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	xv
CHAPTER 1. You Can Learn to Kayak	1	(4)
A Mini-History	3	(2)
CHAPTER 2. What Is a Kayak?	5	(12)
The Cruising Kayak Family	9	(4)
Traditional Hardshells	9	(1)
Frame and Fabric	9	(2)
Sit-on-Tops and Wash-Decks	11	(1)
Inflatables	11	(2)
Solo or Tandem?	13	(4)
CHAPTER 3. What Is It Made Of?	17	(10)
The Four Basic Designs	18	(1)
Virtues of the Common Materials	19	(8)
Fiberglass	19	(2)
Plastic	21	(2)
Frame and Fabric	23	(2)
Wood	25	(1)
Inflatables	25	(2)
CHAPTER 4. Outfitting Your Basic Kayak	27	(14)
Seats	27	(2)
The Cockpit	29	(1)
Spray Decks	29	(1)
Foot Pegs	30	(1)
Bulkheads and Hatches	30	(2)
Flotation	32	(1)
Rudders and Skegs	33	(1)
Carrying Toggles	34	(1)
Paddle Floats	35	(1)
Sea Anchor	36	(1)
Paddle Parks	36	(1)
Compasses	37	(1)
Bilge Pumps	37	(1)
Safety Equipment	38	(3)
CHAPTER 5. You and Your PFD	41	(5)
What You Must Have	41	(1)
What the Numbers Mean	42	(1)
Design	43	(1)
Fit	43	(1)
Color	44	(1)
Care	45	(1)
PFDs for Children	45	(1)
CHAPTER 6. Power to the Paddle	46	(6)
Length	48	(1)
Blade Shape	49	(1)
Shaft	49	(1)
Materials	50	(1)
Weight	51	(1)
Winging It	51	(1)
CHAPTER 7. Let's Go Paddling	52	(35)
Why Kayaks Feel Tippy	53	(1)
Boarding Your Kayak	54	(3)
Your First Launch	57	(1)
Wet Exits	58	(2)
Holding Your Paddle	60	(1)
Your First Strokes	61	(5)
Learning Both Strokes	66	(2)
What Makes a Stroke Work	68	(1)
Push and Pull	68	(1)
Adding in the Power Muscles	69	(2)
Changing Speed by Changing Gears	71	(1)
Stopping	72	(1)
Backing	73	(4)
Turns	77	(7)
Sweeps	77	(6)
Sweeps in a Double	83	(1)
Rudder Strokes	83	(1)
Put Your Strokes Together	84	(3)
CHAPTER 8. Draw Strokes	87	(7)
Sliding Sideways	87	(1)
The Power of the Draw	87	(3)
Learn to Scull	90	(4)
CHAPTER 9. A Bracing Experience	94	(9)
The Hip Flick	95	(1)
The Low Brace	96	(3)
The Skimming Low Brace	97	(2)
The High Brace	99	(4)
The Sculling High Brace	102	(1)
CHAPTER 10. Linking Strokes: Making Your Paddle Work for You	103	(2)
Playing in an English Gate	103	(2)
CHAPTER 11. Keeping It Straight	105	(3)
Trimming Your Course with a Rudder	105	(3)
CHAPTER 12. Wearing Your Kayak	108	(5)
Fitting in Your Kayak	108	(2)
Adjusting the Fit	110	(3)
CHAPTER 13. A Saving Grace: Rescues	113	(10)
The Paddle Float	117	(2)
Sponsons	119	(2)
The Assisted Rescue	121	(1)
Towing	122	(1)
CHAPTER 14. Tools of the Piloting Trade	123	(24)
Charts and Their Scales	123	(1)
Compasses	124	(4)
Measuring Directions	128	(1)
Measuring Distances	129	(1)
Laying Out a Course	129	(4)
Use Your Senses	133	(1)
Speed	133	(1)
Latitude and Longitude	134	(3)
Distance and Directions in a Moving World	137	(6)
Paddling down a Range	139	(1)
Bearing Down	140	(1)
The Blind Crossing	140	(1)
Going Wrong Makes It Right	141	(1)
The (Not So) Boundless Sea	142	(1)
GPS: A Helping Hand from Space	143	(4)
CHAPTER 15. Tides and Currents	147	(8)
What They Are	147	(1)
Tides: Water in Vertical Motion	148	(2)
The Rule of Twelve	149	(1)
Currents: Water in Horizontal Motion	150	(3)
Using the Moon's Muscles	151	(2)
Predicting Current Flows	153	(1)
Spring and Neap Tides	153	(2)
CHAPTER 16. Resources and the Rule of Thirds	155	(3)
CHAPTER 17. Taking Your Kids Kayaking	158	(12)
How to Make Your Trip Fun for All Ages	159	(2)
Kids and PFDs	161	(1)
Clothing and Gear	162	(1)
The BOX	163	(1)
THE Box	164	(1)
Sharing the Fun	164	(4)
Kids and Books	168	(1)
A Final Word	168	(2)
CHAPTER 18. First Aid and the Paddler	170	(2)
CHAPTER 19. Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink	172	(3)
CHAPTER 20. Nattily Attired	175	(3)
The Challenges of Kayak Clothing	175	(1)
Layering	176	(1)
Wetsuits and Dry Suits	177	(1)
CHAPTER 21. Rack 'em Up!	178	(5)
Car Racks for Carrying Kayaks	178	(2)
Loading Your Kayak	180	(2)
Boat Carts	182	(1)
CHAPTER 22. Let's Go Voyaging	183	(27)
Launching	183	(1)
Surf	184	(5)
Leeward and Windward	189	(1)
Colliding Currents	190	(1)
Riding the Currents	191	(1)
The Nearest Shelter	191	(2)
Waves	193	(2)
Ferries	195	(3)
Wind	198	(1)
A Sheltered Landing	198	(11)
Landing on an Exposed Beach	199	(4)
In the Water	203	(3)
On the Shore	206	(3)
Plotting the Course Home	209	(1)
CHAPTER 23. Kayak Camping	210	(7)
A Choice of Fire	211	(1)
Portable Kitchen	212	(2)
A Real-world Campsite	214	(3)
CHAPTER 24. Waves, Wind, and Weather	217	(7)
Waves	217	(2)
Wind	219	(2)
Weather	221	(3)
CHAPTER 25. Sailing	224	(6)
Sails	225	(2)
Sailing	227	(3)
CHAPTER 26. Why Go Kayaking?	230	(2)
APPENDIX: The Beaufort Scale	232	(2)
GLOSSARY	234	(6)
INDEX	240	(7)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR	247