The Kayak Companion

by Joe Glickman

Get paddling! Joe Glickman, a two-time member of the US National Marathon Kayak Team, fills this kayaking primer with expert advice and plenty of encouragement. Beginners will benefit from Glickman’s clear descriptions of the basic techniques of sea, touring, and recreational kayaking, while experienced kayakers will find insightful tips on navigation, troubleshooting, and boat assessment. Enlivened by delightful stories of Glickman’s personal kayaking adventures, this fun and informative guide will inspire kayakers of all types to get out on the water and enjoy the ride.  

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2003

Reviews

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide on the beginnings of kayaking. As the author himself notes: many techniques are hard to perfect using literature only, but the lists of required gear etcetera are very useful. A lot is explained very well and it's written in an engaging and inspiring way. I learned quite some things from this book!

[Tomislav · Rating 3 out of 5]

According to the cover, this short book provides “expert guidance for enjoying paddling in all types of water from one of America’s top kayakers.” To be clearer though, its emphasis is on long-distance paddling, racing, and sea kayaking – with no mention of whitewater rivers. It is frequently interspersed with stories from the author’s personal experiences in paddling the Missouri River from Montana to Missouri, and a race across the Great Lakes he participated in.

I began paddling on Wisconsin streams and lakes with a recreational kayak, and had never really graduated to touring, before moving away. Now that I live in the South Carolina Sea Islands, conditions are very different. This book did not particularly help with my new most unfamiliar challenges - things like tidal water flow, getting unstuck from pluff mud, or dealing with alligator wildlife. However, it does include basic lessons in paddling technique, launching and getting out, and gear. The best learning is, of course, practice rather than reading. I expect to re-read and try specific skills explained in this book, in the future.

[Happyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adventure stories first, instruction second, this was the perfect book to get me into the water - yet saved me from tipping my boat. Very, very basic, which is exactly what I needed, without boring me. The paddle instructions kept me from steering my kayak into the branches while his boat descriptions left me longing for a lighter and swifter craft for use on faster currents. One very personal quibble, ironically in the map and compass chapter, is that I know he didn't race from Hamilton, Canada to Niagara-on-the-Lake, New York since I grew up in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Minor mistake, unless you're hoping for universal health coverage. Despite his geographical faux pas, his compass reading instructions were clear and concise. Even if you never intend to set foot in a kayak, his tales of paddling adventure may convince you otherwise. I know it made me mourn that the Chicago-to-NYC kayak race no longer exists.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK - so we're newbies with kayaks, and I was just looking for a little practical paddling advice. I was surprised to find I was actually reading the whole book. The author has such a great sense of humor in his writing style, and I enjoyed reading about his own experiences kayaking. (Kinda do what I say not what I did advice.)

[Kathy Manizza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book several times. It is excellent. If you love to kayak, if you love to explore, and if you love to read.... get this book. Not only is it well written and enjoyable, it is extremely accurate. Joe Glickman was a great paddler and friend. He always strived to be the best he could be, as a kayaker, a writer, and a human being.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining and informative. The author's friendly tone made it feel like a good conversation with an expert.

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friendly tone indeed - fun read, good info too