Here’s a list of suggested resources from Paddle Canada. These materials provide an appropriate point of view and level of knowledge for all skill levels.
FLATWATER COURSE OR INTRODUCTION TO SEA KAYAKING
Flatwater introduces the novice to paddling a kayak in calm, sheltered water. Rescue techniques at this level incorporate the use of a paddling partner and it is essential for all Flatwater certified paddlers to travel on the water with others who have been trained in the techniques of assisted rescues.
SEA KAYAKER’S SAVVY PADDLER
Sea Kayaker’s Savvy Paddler has more than 500 tips to better kayaking. Written by Doug Alderson.
SEA KAYAKING LEVEL 1
Sea Kayaking Level 1 provides the skill and knowledge for day long sea kayaking trips in sheltered waters (non-wilderness areas). Successful completion of Level 1 indicates competence to paddle a sea kayak within a sheltered bay in the company of one or more paddlers with Level 1 or greater skill and knowledge.
NAVIGATION, SEA STATE & WEATHER
In Navigation, Sea State & Weather paddlers journey along the boundaries between sea, air and land. This book is specifically of interest to paddlers from Vancouver Island. Written by Michael Pardy, JF Marleau, Andrew Woodford and Piper Harris. Published by SKILS.
SEA KAYAK STROKES
Sea Kayak Strokes is a concise, fully illustrated manual for learning and improving paddling skills. Written for paddlers of all skill levels, Sea Kayak Strokes is filled with tips and suggestions for improving and maintaining overall paddling technique. Written by Doug Alderson.
THE ESSENTIAL SEA KAYAKER
The Essential Sea Kayaker is a top-to-bottom introduction for novice and mid-level kayakers, this highly visual handbook provides kayakers with the whole scoop on everything from gear, transportation, and paddling technique to the finer points of Eskimo rolling, rescue protocol, group and solo paddling. Written by David Seidman.
SEA KAYAK RESCUE
Sea Kayak Rescue is a comprehensive book that covers all the techniques of sea kayak rescue for all skill levels. Step-by-step photos illustrate how to right a swamped or capsized boat and safely re-enter the kayak. Covering both self-rescues and assisted-rescues, with additional information on towing disabled boats and rescuing swimmers. Written by Roger Schumann and Jan Shriner.
SEA KAYAKING LEVEL 2
Sea Kayaking Level 2 provides the skills and knowledge for proficient kayaking at sea in moderate conditions, on overnight trips along a moderately exposed coastline with frequent easy landing opportunities.
NAVIGATION, SEA STATE & WEATHER
In Navigation, Sea State & Weather paddlers journey along the boundaries between sea, air and land. This book is specifically of interest to paddlers from Vancouver Island.Written by Michael Pardy, JF Marleau, Andrew Woodford and Piper Harris. Published by SKILS.
COMPLETE SEA KAYAK TOURING
Complete Sea Kayak Touring is the perfect guide for the newly proficient sea kayaker who’s ready to move on to the next level of adventure. It covers everything from boats and gear to paddling techniques, rescues and recoveries, navigation, planning and provisioning, camping and cookery, cold-weather paddling, and more. Written By Jonathan Hanson.
SEA KAYAK NAVIGATION SIMPLIFIED
Ever try to get over the hump of learning how to use a chart & compass for kayak navigation? Boring, wasn’t it! Well, this magic book, Sea Kayak Navigation Simplified, makes it FUN! And you’ll learn a few more things about kayak navigation, too, such as taking into account the effects of wind or current on your planned course. Sea kayaking seems easy – almost too easy – at first, but there’s a lot that can go wrong, what with winds, currents and weather. Written by Lee Moyer
SEA KAYAK RESCUE
Sea Kayak Rescue is a comprehensive book that covers all the techniques of sea kayak rescue for all skill levels. Step-by-step photos illustrate how to right a swamped or capsized boat and safely re-enter the kayak. Covering both self-rescues and assisted-rescues, with additional information on towing disabled boats and rescuing swimmers. Written by Roger Schumann and Jan Shriner.
SEA KAYAKING LEVEL 3
Sea Kayaking Level 3 focus’ on the development and practical application of leadership, risk-assessment, decision-making, judgment, group management, and general seamanship, in the context of a multi-day journey. Participation in a multi-day journey will include changing conditions and varying terrain, the development of skills necessary to lead a small group of recreational paddlers on an overnight journey and develop the skills outlined in Level 2 to a higher standard of proficiency.
COMPLETE SEA KAYAK TOURING
Complete Sea Kayak Touring is the perfect guide for the newly proficient sea kayaker who’s ready to move on to the next level of adventure. It covers everything from boats and gear to paddling techniques, rescues and recoveries, navigation, planning and provisioning, camping and cookery, cold-weather paddling, and more. Written By Jonathan Hanson
SEA KAYAK NAVIGATION SIMPLIFIED
Ever try to get over the hump of learning how to use a chart & compass for kayak navigation? Boring, wasn’t it! Well, this magic book, Sea Kayak Navigation Simplified, makes it FUN! And you’ll learn a few more things about kayak navigation, too, such as taking into account the effects of wind or current on your planned course. Sea kayaking seems easy – almost too easy – at first, but there’s a lot that can go wrong, what with winds, currents and weather. Written by Lee Moyer
LIVING WITH WEATHER
Published by Environment Canada. 198 pages, color pictures, spiral bound. “WEATHER, MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, IS A PROCESS – a process of becoming, through the stream of time. This process can be seen in the daily changes of sun, clouds and wind, and in the cycle of the year.” Written by Owen Lange
SEA KAYAKING LEVEL 4
Sea Kayaking Level 4 provides the skills and knowledge for sea kayak tripping during multi-day trips along an open coast with rough conditions. This course includes an extensive leadership component.
HANDBOOK OF SAFETY AND RESCUE
Handbook of Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue, published by Ragged Mountain Press in 2002.
A great resource for kayak enthusiasts and professionals; the book covers a wide range of topics related to safety and rescue including: judgement and leadership; equipment; trip planning, self and assisted rescues, and rescue methodology. Note that the 2 authors combine something like 50 to 60 years of paddling and instructing… long time on the water. Written by Doug Alderson and Michael Pardy
FUNDAMENTALS OF KAYAK NAVIGATION
The Fundamentals Of Kayak Navigation covers the basic principles of navigation that are pertinent to kayaks in clear practical terms, with special emphasis on the effects of wind and current.
The treatment of tides and currents is very thorough , especially when it comes to reading the water to interpret currents and for estimating the effects of wind on progress. There are also convenient tricks included – such as how to quickly predict the current at times between peak flow and slack – that do not appear in other books. Written by David Burch
LIVING WITH WEATHER
Published by Environment Canada. 198 pages, color pictures, spiral bound. “WEATHER, MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, IS A PROCESS – a process of becoming, through the stream of time. This process can be seen in the daily changes of sun, clouds and wind, and in the cycle of the year.” Written by Owen Lange
PERSONAL PICKS AND FAVOURITES
KAYAK SURFING
Kayak Surfing was just a blast, Bill Matos is an awesome witter and manages to put words on sensations, describes concept and give a new approach to this unknown sport that deserve much more attention (well, it’s a personal point of view of course, but I feel strongly about it!). The pictures are amazing, and I simply couldn’t stop going back to it for a while. A neat present for anybody that like adrenaline and don’t mind salt water….. if you are considering surfing, this is a MUST. Written by Bill Mattos
SEA KAYAKER DEEP TROUBLE
Sea Kayaker Deep Trouble contains “Twenty harrowing, real-life accounts of sea kayaking accidents that will both keep you on the edge of your seat and instruct you with potentially life-saving lessons. These tales, drawn from Sea Kayaker magazine, are the result of interviews with accident survivors, witnesses, and rescuers. From capsizes and hypothermia to brushes with sharks and entrapment in sea caves, the situations are described in chilling detail and then subjected to expert analysis. Sea Kayaker’s Deep Trouble is rounded out by a comprehensive introduction to sea kayaking safety and three dozen sidebars offering tips on equipment, techniques, and improving your skills.” Written by Matt Broze and George Gronseth
