Well, it seems that I have officially got the sea kayak bug. I've observed this phenomenon before when I started telemark skiing. I found I thought about it constantly, wanting to learn as much about it and improve my skills. So I am familiar with the sensation of having found a new passion. As an example, I am supposed to visit some old friends this weekend in the mountains and find myself vaguely resentful that I won't get a paddle in this weekend.

I am looking forward to spending as much time on the water as possible, but I also want to indulge in a lot of reading and other dry land pursuits to forward my education.

Aside from making 10,00 strokes on the water (or as we would say in skiing, 10,000 turns), what videos, books, magazines, podcasts, and the like did you find helped you learn more about this wonderful sport? Or at the very least, amused you on those days you weren't on the water?

Thanks for any input!

Uh oh, Brenda. Recognize the signs and symptoms and seek professional help immediately! You have also seen what happens when the addiction strikes other skiers... Google the Hurricane Riders for some kayak porn.

Brenda-

have you found yourself bobbing up and down in your sleep yet? That feeling is particularly addictive. There's a bunch of great books and videos out there, but the best learning comes from being out on the water with others. Lets check calendars and see when we can make that happen.

best

Phil

Local books about the area where you'll paddle are always a good thing; AMC has a couple for around here. There are lots of books with "all you need to know about kayaking", and most of them don't explain much and show inefficient rescues. Gordon Brown's videos are remarkably good...seakayakwithgordonbrown.com for previews and to buy. They'll help you absorb the tremendous amount you can learn from the paddlers here.

Brenda, you led an x-c trip to Greeley Ponds for AMC years ago...I was the only guy in the group of 12. Afterwards, you tried to teach a few of us to make tele turns on the old slope on Snow's Mountain. Thanks again for a great day.

Hi Mike, Yes, that was a fun day! I do have several AMC paddling guides--my MA book is getting dogeared. Thanks for the video recommendation.

Phil you speak like a teacher--I wonder why. Of course I know on water instruction is best, but are you going to tell me you haven't enjoyed reading Allen's and Mike's Really Cool Telemark Tips or watched the NATO videos? Just looking for something like that. I'll be in the Midwest for a week and could use some reading material. Even cool kayak adventure books would be nice.

Chris Duff - On Celtic Tides - adventure expedition book - not a how to but a "why"

Books about waves -

The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks and Giants of the Ocean

Gordon Brown's primer on kayaking called Sea Kayak. (Not without it's faults but I haven't seen a better one.)

Gordon Brown DVDs as well. I would loan mine to you but I loaned them to someone else & haven't seen them since...

Also, there is a book with a title with the words, Women Sea Kayaking by, I think, Shelley Johnson. I found that to be a great book.

The Gordon Brown series touches on a wide variety of basic skills and the scenery where the videos are filmed is breathtaking!

Franco Ferraro "Sea kayak navigation"

pru

For pure inspiration, "This is the Sea" series of videos are really fun. Not so much instructional but they are great for fueling the addiction...

You might want to check out Rapid Media adventure.... They have a free newsletter which offers links to the on line magazine (click the kayak tab) and other tips, trips, and videos on random subjects. It's free, so worth a peak: [email protected]

Also, the local paddling group websites have good information: NH, Southern Maine, Osprey, to name a few

If you happen to want to teach yourself to roll (perfectly feasible), then Derek Hutchinson's book "The Eskimo Roll" is inimitable. He was a good teacher with a sense of humour and it shows in his books. This book contains one physical excercise for practising on dry land and getting the muscles used/trained to the bodily movement and it really is most helpful: the book would be a good addition to any library.