Sea Kayak Strokes: A Guide to Efficient Paddling Skills.

Janet Collins is a freelance writer in Sechelt, British Columbia.

While several kayak rental companies make much of the fact that little experience is required to paddle about calm water such as city lakes and sheltered harbours, a little knowledge will go a long way to making for a more enjoyable experience. Proper technique ensures a more efficient stroke, reduces the risk of mishap, and makes it easier to get out of problem situations. For those seeking a true sea kayak experience complete with ocean waves, rapids, and rock hazards, proper technique is a vital part of water safety.

Sea Kayak Strokes contains information of value to both novice and experienced kayakers. A handy bullet-list approach allows readers to identify the most appropriate stroke for a given application, while key points for performing the stroke and corresponding safety tips help the paddler do it right. A thoughtful addition to each stroke description is a series of exercises designed to aid in practising the stroke and help build the muscle groups required to perform the stroke properly and efficiently.

Richly illustrated with black-and-white photographs of people demonstrating the described strokes helps readers better understand proper technique. Line drawings for difficult concepts such as bracing and rollover/recovery clarify the key points of the stroke.

This would be a useful book in any paddler’s library—whether they are a novice or experienced sea kayaker.