"What a breath of fresh air! "The Woman's Guides" seek to provide a comfortable, friendly place in which women can challenge themselves and learn new skills. Reading "Sea Kayaking: A Woman's Guide" gave me a sense of camaraderie, like being back at camp with best friends." - Dagny Scott, Contributing Editor for 'Women's Sports', "SHAPE" magazine.Ragged Mountain Press Woman's Guides - the first book series designed for the growing number of women who are active outdoors. These comprehensive guides provide everything you need to get started and keep going. Throughout each book you'll find tips, advice, and words of wisdom from women who've done what you're about to do - learn a new sport. At last: books for women who love the outdoors, written in a woman's voice with a woman's approach to learning. "A winner!...Renowned outdoors and paddlesports writer, Shelley Johnson will inspire readers to get paddling." - Lafe Low, Executive Director, Adventure Club of North America.In "Sea Kayaking: A Woman's Guide" you'll find the knowledge and skills you need to become a self-sufficient paddler. Yes, you can load a kayak on a car by yourself...get in and out of your boat easily - without capsizing. ..help a capsized kayaker get back in her boat...perform (and even learn to love) an Eskimo roll! Shelley Johnson's fresh perspective and up-to-date presentation of techniques and equipment provide all the tools you need to become a confident, comfortable, capable sea kayaker! "I was pretty hesitant about paddling a kayak out into the ocean, but after reading Shelley's suggestions for overcoming fear, I was ready to try." - Louise Allen, new sea kayaker.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Introduction What defines sea kayaking? About this book Chapter 1: The Female Sea Kayaker A good match for women How and why they got started Finding your own style Chapter 2: Getting Started Starting out right Other options for getting started How does it feel? Common concerns Chatper 3: Getting Friendly with Your Boat Naming of the parts Getting adjusted Carrying your boat Getting your boat on and off a vehicle Getting in and out Balance and the art of staying upright Chapter 4: Paddle Strokes and Controlling Your Boat Getting to know your paddle Paddle strokes Chapter 5: Essential Skills for Getting Away From It All The wet exit Gear to get you back in The solo reentry The assisted reentry The Eskimo roll Chapter 6: Your Equipment Kayaks Paddles Safety equipment and accessories Clothing as safety gear Care and feeding for equipment Chapter 7: Putting It All Together Staying on course Waves Wind Tides and tidal currents Using the land: eddies in the ocean Weather The surf zone Rules of the road and reality Chapter 8: Hit the Water Trail Navigation Packing your kayak A word about water trails A low-impact vessel Chapter 9: Tips and More Tips Stretches for paddlers To pee or not to pee Paddling while pregnant Bring along the family Paddling with a disability Chapter 10: Resources Index

About the Author

Shelley Johnson is a registered Maine Guide and a coastal kayak instructor certified by the American Canoe Association. Sea kayaking editor for Canoe & Kayak Magazine, she also is a frequent contributor to Atlantic Coastal Kayaker and Kayak Touring. Shelley has taught sea kayaking and watersports safety courses throughout the United States and Canada.