The Kayak Companion | List Price: $9.95
Discount Price: $3.18
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Binding: Paperback
Not much to learn from this book, even for a beginner [Posted on 2004-09-19]
The book is 50% watered down information, 50% anecdotes about the author paddling up some river or off the coast of NY or somewhere. Seems to be more oriented towards racing or endurance than just the average person who likes to paddle around. It doesn't have enough information for somebody just starting out, and it has no useful information for an advanced kayaker. Example: He says he's never tried a dry suit, but then goes on to tell you to use a two piece, but that they are probably too hot anyway... As for roll recoveries - he more or less says nobody really does that and it's too hard to explain anyway, so he didn't bother. If you want an excellent book, try "The Essential Sea Kayaker" instead. I got both of them at the same time, and The Kayak Companion is probably going on the shelf never to be read again.
Good intro to kayaking [Posted on 2004-10-25]
This book is a fun read.
It was actually this book that got me back into kayaking after 30 years.
It is not meant to be a detailed book on the technic of kayaking, but a fun and entertaining adventure biography with enough detail to educate as well. There is just enough information for someone interested in kayaking to get started.
It's a good read for someone thinking about kayaking and interested in real life outdoor adventure.
steve
Good for beginners [Posted on 2006-07-16]
I just took a couple on-the-water classes and this book covers the same techniques taught by our instructor (getting back in a kayak with help from one other person, sweep stroke, crab walk, etc.). It is not an in-depth reference book but I just wanted a book to help me remember what we learned in class and this book serves that purpose.
The Book is Great...For ANYONE. [Posted on 2006-09-02]
I am new to kayaking, so I thought got a LOT out of joe's stories, experience, and explinations of kayaking techniques and philosphy. I can see where a more experienced kayaker may feel that the information in this book is beneath them...
(caveat: Kayakers seem to be like bodybuilders...they all think they know everything and can't wait to tell you about the way you should be doing things.)
....but I still think the book is great for even experienced paddlers. Why? Becasue Joe Glickmann, besides being a very experienced kayaker, can write. The book is just a plain good read. It's funny. It has great stories and you can always learn something good from stories.
I say buy it.
Poor book, look elsewhere [Posted on 2007-07-16]
The author seems more interested in building his macho paddler image with tales of paddling in punishing circumstances over incredible distances, than in teaching basics (or advanced techniques). I borrowed the book from the library, read it for an hour, and returned it the next day. There is nothing useful here
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