Ultimate Paddling Adventures
I always feel very blessed to be asked to review a paddling book because a) paddling is my passion and b) I get to hold in my hand a physical copy fresh off the printing press, and that is what I love – you cannot, in my opinion, beat a hard copy of a book; the weight, the quality and feel of the paper and the images as you turn the page. I’ve also noticed that I always start at the end of the book, flicking my way from back to front – is it because I am left-handed, or do we all do that?
Regardless, I have in my hands the latest paddling book from Fernhurst Books, ‘Ultimate Paddling Adventures – 100 Epic Experiences with a Paddle’, by Eugene Buchanan, Jason Smith, and James Weir, with SUP experts joining in with some of their beautiful recommendations. This book covers paddles worldwide, and its pages are packed with adventures that will appeal across the board, from novice to the much more adventurous. It covers paddling in general, so all types of craft, from canoes and kayaks to SUP and packraft, with each entry covered by an expert in their chosen field.
Our fair isle is highlighted well with some of the UK’s best spots, from the Lake District to the Norfolk Broads and the Outer Hebrides and lochs of Scotland to Snowdonia in Wales. It’s been lovely for me to see some of my paddling friends showcasing their local waters or more exotic destinations they have been to.
Further afield, you have the continents of Europe, Africa and Asia, Australasia and the Pacific, North America and Central and South America – it really would take up more than the whole page if I covered each paddling spot; suffice to say they are extreme and grand in every way.
The paddling area and destinations can be found in the index at the front of the book. Once you have chosen, there is a map, a clear experience level indication, straightforward advice on how to get there, and further information on more paddling in the location and on land local activities. The inspirational description of each read beautifully, and you know that the person who wrote it has experienced that paddle in all its glory, be it a gentle SUP in the breathtaking Swedish Archipelago to sea kayaking along the second longest barrier reef in the world in Belize. This book has something for everyone, from the relative safety of novice sea kayaking in the Big Bend in Florida to expert surf kayaking the tidal rapids in British Columbia, Canada.
The book is a large-format paperback showing stunning full-page photographs. We all need bigger adventures to inspire us to further our knowledge and passion for our chosen sport, and I, for one, will enjoy the darker evenings even more as I plan my adventures to far-flung destinations worldwide.
This is the perfect Christmas present for the water lover in your life. I dare you not to be motivated by this book’s awe-inspiring adventures and breathtaking images.
Price: £20.00
