Inflatable Kayaking: A Beginner's Guide: Buying, Learning & Exploring

by Chris Scott

There has been an explosion of interest in paddling right across the world – in 2020, British Canoeing reported a 40% rise in members, with 19,000 signing up in a 3-month period. Much of this interest has been in inflatable kayaks, with the author’s own website (inflatablekayaksandpackrafts.com) averaging 1,000 visits a day. The comparatively low cost, the convenience of inflatable kayaks, and the fact that you can just get in and go, all add up to their appeal. And with thousands of miles of waterways in the UK, most are within reach of a river or canal where you can paddle your kayak and enjoy being in the fresh air, gently travelling through the natural world. You see the country from a different perspective and in an eco-friendly way. But, as with everything, a little bit of knowledge and technique makes the experience so much more enjoyable! That is where this book comes in. It provides a perfect introduction to the sport. It takes you through the different types of inflatable kayaks, so you buy the one that is right for you. It shows you the basic on-the-water skills that you will need, including getting in and out, how to paddle straight and turn. It outlines the gear you will need and talks about where to paddle as well as weather, safety, maintenance and repair of your equipment. It covers kayaking in rivers and canals, lakes and lochs, and coastal kayaking. All aspects are heavily illustrated with colour photographs making it easy to understand and clear to follow.

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2021

About the author

After exploring the Sahara in 1980s, I wrote Desert Biking in 1993. That evolved into today's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, now in its 6th edition. I also co-wrote several editions of Australia for Rough Guides and worked on other RG titles. Desert Travels, a Saharan travelogue came next, then Sahara Overland, Overlanders Handbook, and Morocco Overland, all for Trailblazer Guides. I also enjoy updating Trailblazer's British walking guides once in a while.
I recently reprinted Desert Travels alongside a new book: Adventures in Motorcycling, an urban motobiography paralleling the DT era of the 1980s, but telling a quite different story.