Whilst 1:25 and 1:50 Ordnance Survey maps are superb for Sea Kayak route planning and navigation, Nautical charts offer another ‘view’ of the coastal landscape. ‘Understanding A Nautical Chart‘ by Paul Boissier is a new release from Wiley Nautical aimed squarely at helping people read and understand the huge array of data contained in a nautical chart.

I should be clear that this book does not teach the reader how to navigate. Instead it looks in great detail at what a nautical chart is, how they are created and then how to read and interpret the data within them.

Initial chapters set the scene of nautical charts: what they are, how they are created, basic history and types of projections. This is followed by a series of chapters, each dedicated chapters to different aspects of the information provided in a nautical chart.

The book makes use of a huge number of colour diagrams and sections of charts to illustrate the subject matter. The last section of the book contains a detailed, illustrated key to all the Admiralty Chart symbols and abbreviations as a quick reference.

Understanding A Nautical Chart is authored by Paul Bossier, an ex-senior Admiral in the Navy and now Chief Executive of the RNLI. It is obvious from the book that he really knows his stuff but what I also liked is the accessible style of his writing. The subject matter, may to some, seem quite dry but I found the book very engaging to read.

It would be all too obvious to state this book is for newcomers to Nautical Charts. However, the audience for this book is far greater. The book has more than enough detail to provide new information chart users of any experience and would provide a superb reference guide. At an A4, paperback size, it’s unlikely to be something you would carry on a trip rather, it would make a nice tool to utilise during the pre-trip planning. At £16-99 it’s not a cheap book (although Amazon currently have it on offer at £11-99) but certainly worth the investment if you are interested in expanding your understanding of Nautical Charts.

Final thoughts would be that, for those paddlers considering attending either of the BCU Navigation Courses, this would be a useful text to develop your knowledge of charts. It’s also worth considering knowing that 50p donation from every sale goes directly to the RNLI.

Useful Links
Understanding a Nautical Chart
– Amazon Bookstore Page
Wiley Nautical – Wiley Nautical Website
RNLI – RNLI Website

I reviewed the first edition of ‘South West Sea Kayaking‘ by Mark Rainsley back in June 2008 (see the original review here).

Roll on three years and Mark has completed a thorough update in the form of the second edition which is now available directly from Pesda Press or from a wide range of kayaking shops.

In terms of whats been updated, Mark posted the following on the Southwest Sea Kayaking website:

What’s different in the new edition? Overall, I made about 450 separate changes to the text;

Out of date information has been updated or removed.

All phone numbers and web links have been checked and updated. I couldn’t believe how many had changed, about half of the accommodation details for instance.

Removed references to out of date accommodation and added new ones, including coastal hostels.

Updated reading/ reference lists.

Where I could squeeze it in, I added extra details about areas and routes.
Reviewed some of the tidal info in the last two chapters (more info available now, it was previously a bit thin).

About half the photos have been changed – I feel that the overall quality is better now, including lots donated kindly by other paddlers.

I hope that this new edition is useful, and helps paddlers to get out and explore the fantastic south-west coast. Thanks to all who helped with the process of updating it.

Comprehensive stuff to say the least. Mark kindly forwarded a copy of the book to me as a thank you for contributing a picture for the Solent section of the guidebook and from reading through the second edition the updates have definitely kept this outstanding guidebook as a must have for anyone paddling in the South West area.

Useful Links
Pesda Press – Publishers of South West Sea Kayaking
Mark Rainsley’s South West Sea Kayaking Website

There are many books out there that cover all aspects of Sea Kayaking within one publication. Sea Kayak Handling is different. It foucses purely on developing kayak handling skills through detailed, yet concise coverage of strokes and associated techniques.

Written by Doug Cooper – a BCU Level 5 Sea Coach, and Head of Paddlesports at Glenmore Lodge, Sea Kayak Handling looks in detail at each of the strokes or combinations of strokes we use to propel, turn and control our Sea Kayaks.

Clear Photographs

The book follows a logical route through the strokes using clear photographs of each stage of the stroke along with step by step instructions on how to perform the stroke correctly. The photographs are numbered and referenced within the written instructions so you know which image to refer.

Instructions are concise and easy to understand yet provide more than enough detail. In my first glance through the book I picked up to things I have been doing wrong for a number of years and was able to apply Doug’s advice on my next paddle to good effect.

For example, cross bow rudder is a stroke I have played with a lot but never felt really comfortable with. It transpires I have been angling the paddle too low down rather than keeping it as vertical as possible.

Similarly, I fall into the category of paddlers who deploy the skeg with no real understanding of when or how much skeg to deploy. One page of Sea Kayak handling is devoted to a superb diagram which has demystified skeg use for me.

Sweep Edged Turn

Pesda Press have also provided a set of videos which can be viewed online at their website. The videos are clear and very good quality and are a huge help in visualising what you are trying to achieve. These are available whether or not you buy the book, however the combination of Doug’s expert writing and the videos is the a real winner.

Although the book is focused primarily on stroke technique, each section has information on ‘equipment considerations’ and ‘environment considerations’ where the affect of differing equipment and weather/sea conditions on stroke execution is examined.

The book is also smattered with ‘top tips’ which build on the basic stroke technique described by looking at ‘extension’ activities/drills or alternative ways developing your technique.

Handy Small Form Factor

The relatively small form factor of the book is very welcome ensuring it could be carried wherever and whenever you feel you may want to refer to it. I’ll admit to being ‘geeky’ enough to have carried it on a paddle and when I stopped for coffee dipped into it to check on a couple of techniques I had been practising while out on the water.

Overall, I think Doug’s book is potentially worth it’s weight in gold for paddlers who are looking to develop their handling skills. I class myself as an enthusiastic intermediate paddler and have learnt a lot over the last week, picking up ideas and techniques which I am already trying to integrate into my paddling.

Sea kayak Handling will not provide a beginner or other paddler with an all round introduction into Sea kayaking. For this I would always refer beginners to something like Paddle Your Own Kayak or intermediate paddlers and above the Sea kayak: A manual.

What Sea Kayak handling will provide is a fantastic, user friendly manual to developing your own paddling skills and when combined with the online videos provide a resource I believe you will come back to time and time again.

Sea kayak handling is published by Pesda Press and is available direct from their website for £9.99 (my copy arrived within 36 hours of being ordered) or from your local Paddling Store.

Sea Kayak Handling, a new title from Pesda Press, is due to be published on 28th March. Written by Doug Cooper, Head of Paddlesport at Glenmore Lodge, the book is a practical guide aimed at beginners and intermediate paddlers.

Pesda Press have a knack or publishing superb books, be it technique or guide based, from fantastic authors. If this book has the same quality of layout, design and content as the other Pesda titles I own it will be a ‘must have’.

Doug Cooper is known to many paddlers via his work at Glenmore Lodge or from his involvement with P&H Sea Kayaks and Peak Uk. He recently appear in the series of online videos released by P&H and a recent article he wrote can be found in the January copy of Ocean Paddler Magazine.

From the publisher:

Sea Kayak Handling

A practical guide that will help the reader to master the skills needed to manoeuvre a sea kayak efficiently. For beginner and intermediate paddlers. Doug draws on his personal and coaching experience to help the reader master sea kayak handling skills and techniques. Accurate sequential photos and simple concise language make the descriptions easy to follow and understand.

The foundation skills of posture, connectivity (how your body is connected to the kayak), power transfer and learning to ‘feel’ how the boat responds, are explored initially. The author then goes on to tackle forward paddling, keeping the kayak on course, reverse paddling, edging, turning on the spot, forward turns on the move, reverse turns on the move, stern rudders, moving sideways, support strokes, and the use of skegs and rudders.

Sea Kayak Handling is recommended as support material for the British Canoe Union 3 and 4 Star (Sea) awards. (The 1 star is a novice ‘encouragement’ award, the 2 star covers basic generic kayak skills, the 3 star basic/intermediate sea specific skills and experience, and the 4 star covers intermediate sea specific skills and leadership in moderate conditions).

Paddle Your Own Kayak by Gary and Joanie McGuffin, published by Boston Mills Press, is subtitled ‘an illustrated guide to the art of kayaking’. This subtitle really highlights one of the major selling points of this book, and the reason I impulsively purchased it, the superb and inspiring photography.

Paddle Your Own Kayak contains 207 pages and beautiful colour photographs and diagrams adorne every page. This coupled with well written and insightful content make this ‘coffee table’ style book a prized possession.

Joanie McGuffin

Paddle Your Own Kayak makes no reference to Sea Kayaking specifically in either its name or introduction. In fact certain sections cover basic white water technique however every boat shown within the book is a sea kayak of some description. It is in fact an guide/introduction to kayak paddling from a touring/sea kayaking perspective.

It takes readers from absolute basics to more advanced techniques as well as covering theory and practical advice for navigation, equipment and camping/touring. One of the final chapters even shows Joanie McGuffin building a sea kayak using the stitch and glue, plywood method – the finished boat is superb.

Clear Diagrams

In terms of the technique sections, I have yet to find such a well illustrated book. Most strokes are covered via a step by step write up illustrated with clear photographs of each stage of the stroke.In places annotations or arrows show key information such as force of water, path or boat and force of paddle.

For the more visual learner this proves very useful and the large size of the book lends itself perfectly to this style layout.

Rescue Technique

For Uk based paddlers, some of the terminology may seem alien as it stems from the American/Canadian system (ACA – American Canoe Association) however this is never a barrier or issue to understanding the technique described. For example what we know as Breaking In and Breaking Out of the current is referred to as Peeling and reference is made to J Leans and U-turns which was new terminology for me.

Boat Building Course

I was pleased to see a modern approach to the equipment section of the book. Gear described and photographed is up to date and relevant. Useful lists of first aid/emergency and repair kits provide are useful and well illustrated. An interesting point is to see the selection of manufacturers and items chosen, some of which are less well known on this side of the pond. The selection of types of kayaks available covers everything from expedition sea kayaks through day touring boats and sit on tops.

I would never be without Franco Ferrero’s Sea Kayak Navigation book, however, Paddle Your Own Kayak contains a well written and again well illustrated section on navigation technique and a chapter on Weather, Winds and Tides.

Stunning Photography

Whilst the technique sections of the book are comprehensive and well executed, they provide only part of the appeal of this book. As a parent and someone looking to share my love of sea kayaking and the outdoors in general with my relatively new family in years to come, the plethora of inspirational photography cannot fail to delight. In particular, the books contains many images of the McGuffin family making the most of the their ‘natural playground’ for trips and expeditions with their daughter. Their obvious love of paddling and the benefits of seeing the great outdoors from the cockpit of a sea kayak is infectious.

Inspirational Images

For beginners, Paddle Your Own kayak offers an excellent introduction to Sea Kayaking. For more seasoned paddlers it provides a good starting resource for examining and developing your technique. Instructors could find the excellent images a powerful teaching aid for bank based instruction. However, I firmly believe all paddlers will find the superb photography a source of great inspiration and would heartily recommend this book.

Paddle Your Own Kayak: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Kayaking can be purchased from Amazon or from Borders bookstore in the UK.

From the Publishers:

Paddle Your Own Canoe set a new standard for how-to-canoe books. In this much-anticipated follow-up, Gary and Joanie McGuffin use the same model for the art of kayaking. The authors discuss the kayak’s Inuit history, types of kayaking, recommended kayak sizes and shapes, and proper gear and clothing. They also offer expert, step-by-step instructions on all of the sport’s essential techniques.
Illustrated with more than 600 color photographs and illustrations, Paddle Your Own Kayak is designed for both seasoned and novice kayaker, offering guidance on:

1. Balancing the body
2. Strokes and maneuvers
3. Paddling fundamentals
4. Recoveries and rescues
5. Carrying and launching
6. Weather and water conditions techniques
7. Staying centered
8. Navigation methods.

A special section on kayak camping provides good advice on what to look for in a destination, how to select a site, packing your kayak, setting up tents and shelters, meal preparation, water filtration, first aid and much more.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Boston Mills Press (May 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550464647
• ISBN-13: 978-1550464641
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches

A Manual for Intermediate & Advanced Sea Kayakers

Sea Kayak is a fantastic, modern guide to Sea Kayaking written by Gordon Brown, a well respected BCU Level 5 Sea Kayak Coach. Its 188 pages cover a vast range of topics, all well illustrated with colour photographs and diagrams.

Published by Pesda Press, Sea Kayak provides paddlers with a handy reference to technique, theory, physiology and history of Sea kayaking and in my opinion is destined to become the standard text on sea kayaking.

Although it is taglined ‘a manual for intermediate & advanced sea kayakers’ I would strongly recommend this book to paddlers of all abilities. Whilst the sections on stroke technique are aimed at the intermediate and above paddler in terms of the technical language and concepts used the sheer breadth of information provided within the book from the opening chapter entitled ‘What is sea Kayaking’ to the detailed information on equipment and safety, expeditioning and navigation make this book a ‘must have’.

The chosen topics for each chapter follow a sensible and logical route through all aspects of sea kayaking and demonstrate Gordon’s clear enthusiasm for and knowledge of modern day sea kayaking backed up by his many years of experience paddling and coaching. This made the book an enjoyable and entertaining read, rather than a ‘slog’ through a technical manual.

The design of the book is everything I have come to expect from a Pesda Press publication. The photography is stunning, relevant and up to date. One or two ‘revised’ editions of other Sea kayaking books still feature images taken when the books were first published in the late 70′s/80′s whereas this book is feels up to date and in touch with modern equipment, technique and concepts.

With any book trying to cover the whole discipline of Sea Kayaking, there are always going to be compromises between the size of the book and detail within each chapter. However, Sea Kayak manages to provide more than enough detail give paddlers an excellent grounding in a topic allowing you to move onto more ‘specific’ books to further develop your knowledge.

For example, I found the chapter on navigation to be incredibly well written and informative, with practical tips I have been putting to good use. Yet this chapter is suitably concise within the book as a whole at only 7 pages. I would always advocate Sea Kayak Navigation by Franco Ferrero as the best book on navigation but the combination of the two books is unbeatable.

Along with the standard topics you would expect to see covered such as equipment and stroke technique, I was pleased to see aspect of the psychology and physiology included. Sea Kayaking is inherently physical in its nature and for paddlers of all abilities, in all conditions has an element of risk whether small or large, real or purely perceived. To be fully prepared physically and mentally for a paddle is on a par with organising the correct equipment and planning the proposed route yet is often overlooked.

Contents

1. What is Sea Kayaking?
2. Boat Dynamics
3. Paddle Design
4. Preparing Mind & Body
5. Applied Skills
6. Safety & Rescue
7. Seamanship
8. Navigation
9. Equipment
10. Weather
11. Strong Winds
12. Reading the Water
13. Method for Approximately Grading the Sea
14. Caves
15. Big Swell
16. Surf and Surfing
17. Rockhopping
18. Tidal Race Paddling
19. Competition
20. Overnighting & Expeditions

Summary
If my review of this book seems somewhat ‘gushing’ it is because a book of this nature is long overdue. Excellent writing style and design, coupled with up to date, useful advice and information from an author who lives and breaths the subject. I really cannot fault Sea Kayak and would heartily recommend it to all Sea Kayakers.

Sea Kayak can be ordered online here via Pesda Press

Mark is undoubtedly one of the great authorities on Sea Kayaking around then South West. He describes three great routes on one of Simon Willis’s podcasts and his blog is testament to his knowledge and obvious enjoyment of the excellent paddling available in the Southwest.

The guidebook is, to be blunt, outstanding. Having a large collection of 80′s/early 90′s climbing and walking guides I was expecting to find a similar black and white, text heavy book with hand drawn maps. More fool me! The layout and quality of the guidebook is superb. Fantastic colour cartography, clear and interesting colour photographs and a modern, crisp, clean design combine to make this a visual feast.

The content is as impressive. Concise and accurate when it needs to be, yet in depth enough to provide the information needed. Each section begins with an overview of key info such as grade, distance, tidal information, start/finish points and coastguard details.

Mark then skillfully describes the route in detail. These descriptions cover a range of information. From anecdotes and history to geology and wildlife. He does this with a great sense of humour which raised more than a couple of smiles.

The photographs illustrating this guide are generally superb. They give an up to date insight into the routes and points of interest and for me prove have been a great source of motivation for getting out on the water.

The accompanying maps are wonderfully produced and provide more than sufficient detail for basic route planning, however OS maps are referenced for each section and are obviously required for comprehensive planning purposes.

It is obvious that Mark has taken a great deal of care to document to 50 or so routes that make up this guide as accurately as possible. As a recent review in Canoekayak magazine states:

Author Mark Rainsley paddled each trip and has done an excellent job of capturing the essence of the south coast in concise and informative descriptions, and the additional notes on local history, wildlife and geology mean that you can practically smell the sea air whilst reading it.

This is a superb guidebook and one that despite its high quality finish should not adorne your bookshelf, but sit thumbed, dog-eared and annotated in your kit bag as you work your way through the routes.