Kayaking Manual: The Essential Guide To All Kinds Of Kayaking

Kayaking Manual: The Essential Guide To All Kinds Of Kayaking is a Haynes manual written by Bill Mattos. Yes that’s right Haynes, the same Haynes that make the guides to fixing your knackered car.

I must admit that this along with the bold claim of the title made me extremely dubious about this book. The last time I had a Haynes manual was around 20 years ago for a MK II Ford Fiesta, and although great for fixing the brakes etc it wasn’t the kind of book you would read just for the hell of it.

This is a modern illustrated how to guide to kayaking, with authoritative information for beginners as well as the experienced paddler, all delivered with humour and enthusiasm. Presented in colour with easy-to-follow, step-by-step photographic sequences and inspirational action images, this manual covers everything from flat water through to ocean paddling, white water and surfing. The book also explains the clothing and equipment required for every type of kayaking and, of course, the boats and paddles themselves, as well as weather, hydrodynamics, safety and rescue. Kayaking is a growing sport both in Europe and in the US. Bill Mattos is both an accomplished kayaker and an experienced author. Trusted Haynes step-by-step approach to equipment, skills and techniques. Supported by full-colour bespoke photography throughout. Inclusive: illustrations and photos will include children, women and older surfers.

So for less than £15 via Amazons special deal or around £22 rrp what do you get – Well first and foremost the book is a hardback and in full colour. Images are of a high quality and each page is really well laid out.

Now covering all the essential info for all kinds of kayaking is a tall order and as a result there is a huge amount of information packed into this book, but it has been done really well. There is a good balance of information and instruction with detailed use of images to help explain what is going on.

I found it a really good read and have been dipping in and out of it over the last few days reading a section at a time.

The book is broken down into 6 chapters, and those chapters are:

For Starters
Skills
Open Water
Moving Water
Sea Kayaking
Competition

Overall it’s a pretty impressive book. Whether you are new to the sport or are old man river it would be worth getting a hold of a copy of the Kayaking Manual.