Basic Kayaking: All the skills and gear you need to get started (Stackpole Basics)

The title, sub-title, cover, and table of contents are all absolutely misleading. This is about white-water kayaking, but it isn't stated as such. A fine example of how one can't judge a book by its cover. I'll never buy any book from this publishing house again.

I've read a number of books providing basic kayaking instruction, but this is by far the best in my opinion. The information is presented in a manner which is very systematic and detail oriented (without getting bogged down) with clear, complete and easy to follow instructions and explanations. The pictures are also very helpful. This book does not cover the topic in as much detail as some, but I think that is a blessing for beginners. Being weighed down at first with too much information and too many explanations of the finer points of the sport can be confusing, overwhelming and discouraging. A beginner can read this book and come away with a solid understanding of the basics as well as a clear mind and a confident attitude.

I agree that this book seems to be mistitled. If it had been more appropriately titled "Basic Whitewater Kayaking" I would have kept looking elsewhere, others interested in whitewater (river-running, playboats, etc.) might have been drawn more to it, and life would be better.

While some basics are universal for the sport, this well-illustrated book is solely aimed at the whitewater enthusiast, and only accidentally takes along the quiet water paddler for the ride.

This book was given to me as a gift by a well-meaning family member who knew I was getting into the sleeker side of paddling after being passed by too many kayaks while paddling a canoe.

The title would lead any sane person to believe that this book is indeed a good beginners book for general kayaking.

It is not.

It is, in fact, a highly specialized book for white water kayaking. It's also fairly terse, the bulk of it being made up of photographs.

For someone like me who is more interested in flat water, slow rivers, protected marine waterways, and coastal swamps this book is nearly useless. Keep looking.

The title and subtitle of this book are incredibly deceiving and are a disservice to readers who might not know better until they get a few pages into the book and realize what they got stuck with.

I live near rivers and have seen others kayaking all the time and I wanted to know about this fun looking sport. This book lays it all out for you and tells you what you need to know. It starts with the gear you will need and how it works to how to paddle a boat. Armed with this knowledge I took my first class and I felt well prepared. I have now taken three classes and I keep referring back to the book to remind me of proper technics. I am considering buying a boat of my own and the book explains all the different types of boats and their uses for different types of water. I can see this book helping me for awhile as I grow in this great sport.