Quiet Water Kayaking: A Beginner's Guide to Kayaking

Table of contents for this book:Ch 1: Different Types of KayakingCh 2: Recreational Terms and SlangCh 3: Types of BoatsCh 4: Buying a Boat and EquipmentCh 5: How to Load and Unload a KayakCh 6: How to Organize a PaddleCh 7: Oops!Ch 8: Basic StrokesYou’ll discover that you can easily read this book in one evening. The writing style is pleasant, not too serious - a good match for a beginner trying to introduce themselves to kayaking. Unfortunately, I found the content to be too general and disorganized. If you’re new to paddling, I believe this book will leave you scratching your head as if you missed something.The book starts with an education to the reader concerning a broad background of the kayaking sport and terminology (Ch 1-3). The buying guide is very general and is ultimately little more than a checklist of items to buy; don’t expect much advice for how to pick a kayak beyond a prescriptive weight and length (which is oddly better explained in Ch 7). Ch 5 which dedicates an entire chapter to loading and unloading a kayak seemed excessive and unnecessary since everyone will use different equipment. You’re far better offer learning from the shop where you buy your rack/boat. Furthermore, while the reader is a presumed beginner, they will not be organizing a paddle anytime soon; Ch 6 seems entirely out of place.The book also describes situations when you may capsize in Ch 7 but with little info on how to recover. There are good warnings about potential hazards you may find in the river, however, each feels as if it’s presented randomly like a brainstorm from the author. They each read like an event the author witnessed once before, presented in a manner that has no connection to one another: perched on a log, ducking under branches, perched on a rock, perched at a right angle on a rock, and strainers (piles of logs and branches which accelerate the flow of water).The choice to end with basic strokes in Ch 8 is surprising. This seems like it should be one of the very first chapters rather than the ending. The descriptions are ok but would definitely benefit from additional photos and/or schematic drawing. Warnings to be careful of the angle of your paddle or the position of your hands is good, but hard to realize with good illustration of both the proper and incorrect techniques.And that’s it. The book just ends right there. No final thoughts or conclusions. I suppose it’s not all that necessary in a guide book but such writing feels very abrupt to the reader.I like the author’s writing style and I am left with the impression she is very good instructor. I also suspect she organizes paddles frequently since Ch 6 is perhaps the most complete section of the book (writing from the perspective of a beginner paddler on their first trip would have been more effective than from the view of a seasoned paddler organizing the trip). Ch 8 is probably best read earlier since beginners are eager to learn paddle techniques. Finally, I think Ch 2 could have been moved to the back as an appendix (readers may want to skip this chapter and refer to it when encountering new terminology).Honestly, I guess I expected more from a book subtitled “A Beginner’s Guide to Kayaking.” As it stands, the book gives you only a taste of the sport and lacks details a beginner may desire.

I recently bought a kayak (sit-on-top) and had been out once on a lake, so I'm as much of a beginner as you can get. After reading the other reviews I was excited to read this book. I was up a little late the night I received the book in the mail as I read through the entire book in a few hours. There was some good basic information but I still felt like there had to be more, and less, to what Dunn was writing.The first four chapters were mostly informative. The water classifications were good and the photos were great. Chap 5 was on transporting your kayak. Chapter 6 was How to Organize a Paddle - more on this later. Chapter 7 was on what can go wrong in a kayak. Finally, in Chapter 8, Dunn talks about Basic StrokesMy first impression was that there was too much time wasted on How to Organize a Paddle (Chap 6). As a beginner, I have no business trying to lead a trip. Nor does any other beginner. And taking children on the water as a beginner??? Should not have been in the book. I know, I might go on a "Paddle" and should know the rules, but that could have been covered in a couple of paragraphs. Plus, any leader of a "Paddle" should go over the rules with me, which as Dunn says may be different in Oregon than in Tennessee. The pages spent on strainers (Chap 7) doesn't match the title of the book "Quiet Water Kayaking." I also found the instructions on the Basic Strokes (Chap 8) to be difficult to follow. I thought it might be my inexperience but my next trip after reading the book didn't go better. My paddling wasn't bad but I did expect it to improve somewhat. And why isn't Chap 8 earlier in the book? That was the question that was heaviest on my mind - how can I paddle efficiently, safely and not feel incompetent. There's a Youtube video on basic kayak strokes (REI) that is extremely informative and easy to follow.How about a chapter on taking your first trip on the water?The reason I rated this book 3-stars is because of the chapter on Organizing Paddles and the poor chapter on paddle strokes. The rest of the book is ok, not perfect.

Every sport has its terminology. The "birdie" in golf, "scrum-down" in rugby and let's not forget "ground balls" and "pinch-hitters" in baseball. Kayaking also has its own unique jargon. Words and phrases like sculling, scuppers, strainers, dead-fall, and running the chute. Quiet Water Kayaking, explains in plain English the significance and meaning of kayaking 'speak.' The author shares insight from many years of experience as a paddler and a Certified Instructor. As a result, the book is not just a compelling read for the enthusiastic novice, but it also compliments and sharpens the skills of an old hand like myself who has enjoyed kayaking for several happy years. What I like most about this book is that attention is given to the accuracy and quality of the text. It is well written and is easy to digest, covering a broad range of paddling, operation and navigation techniques along with safety and boating protocol. Armed with the knowledge set out in these pages you will better understand why so many people find kayaking so memorable and fun. You will learn how to negotiate and read a river replete with its unexpected obstacles. Group organizers can benefit from proven techniques that will encourage camaraderie and help to keep your paddling group safe. This book will teach you how to choose the ideal craft, appropriate apparel and equip yourself with safety gear. There are also tips on transporting your boat, efficiently and safely to and from your destination. ‘Quiet Water Kayaking’ by Leslie Dunn is bubbling with expert direction!

As a newcomer to the sport I've found the level of detail in this book just right, with all the key points explained really clearly. Can't recommend highly enough!

Un bouquin tout en anglais, mais pas impossible à comprendre, le vocabulaire du kayak étant quand même assez limité. Donne de bons conseils pour débutants.- lire une rivière : c'est le passage le plus riche, et le meilleur du livre. Classe I, classe II, classe III : les degrés sont expliqués.- choisir un kayak : l'auteur n'aime visiblement pas les gonflables, et oublie de parler des Feathercrafts et autres Nautiraids, donc la rubrique perd un peu de son sens à mon avis, passant beaucoup trop de temps en revanche à comparer les "rivières" au freestyle".- choisir une pagaie : c'est pareil, c'est expéditif.- Le passage sur l'organisation d'une séance de kayak est destinée aux animateurs de groupe (quelles consigne donner ? comment disposer les bons et les débutants dans le groupe ?) et passera un peu au-dessus de la tête du kayakiste solo.Mais bon, se lit bien, donne des conseils de base pas inintéressants, des trucs d'usager, comme le bon pagayage. Ceci dit, quelques films sur You Tube m'en disent autant. Donc pas indispensable comme achat.