Canoeing the Mountain transports the reader, bringing them along on a life-changing wilderness canoeing adventure on the wild and beautiful Mountain River in Canada's Northwest Territories. Only a few days into the 18 day trip, close calls and serious challenges begin for eight friends when one of their four canoes wraps around a rock. This true adventure campfire tale shares the many joys and trials of an unforgettable trip, while celebrating whitewater canoeing, the wonders of nature, and the paddler's inner journey.

This is a guidebook for whitewater paddlers from metropolitan Washington DC, Baltimore and surrounding areas. It includes the very small creeks that are not in existing guidebooks, as well as larger rivers like the Potomac and Shenandoah. The coverage includes most of Maryland, northern Virginia and nearby parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In addition to maps that help readers locate the streams, GPS coordinates are given for all of the put ins and take outs. Historical and geographic snippets are included in boxes.

The second edition of Fuselage Frame Boats is now available, titled More Fuselage Frame Boats. In it I will show you how to build light weight boats at a very low cost. While my new book covers some of the same material as the first book, it also has some new techniques and of course new boats. One new item is how to build a Fuselage Frame boat with a varnished wood transom. Included are offsets for four of my boat designs. Flyfisher, a small rowing boat. Matilda, a performance rowing boat with a wine glasses shaped varnished wood transom. The Mess-About 12' recreational kayak along with a kids kayak, Tadpole. Also there is Crawfish, a two person Pirogue. All offsets are listed in Metric and English. The Fuselage Frame style was very popular in the 1950's and 1960's and many boat plans appeared in magazines such as Popular Mechanics and Popular Science. Even though it is no longer fashionable in the magazines, the fuselage style of construction is still probably the most cost effective way to build a small boat. Recently I have seen a renewed interest in this type of boat construction. People are rediscovering the advantages of Fuselage style Skin Boats. Fuselage frame boats cost very little to build. A sheet of marine plywood, a lightweight wood such as cedar for the stringers, a few yards of a synthetic fabric for the skin and something to waterproof the skin. Materials cost are typically around $300. Nice wood for varnished seats and trim will add to your bill. This book will walk you through the process of building your own boat. I start by addressing the space needed to build a boat as well as tools needed. There is a detailed section on laying out the frames from a table of offsets. Progressing to how to assemble the frame, skinning the boat and through all the steps to preparing your boat for launching.

This comprehensive manual will show you more than 50 exercises to help you be a stronger, lighter, and more confident paddler. Whether you are new to the sport or a seasoned veteran, Power to the Paddle will take you to the next level. Learn exercises to develop core stability and strength Develop a personal fitness program Maintain better posture in your boat Gain endurance to handle long days in the boat Reduce tension in your shoulders and low back Protect your body against common paddling injuries Improve your balance and agility Praise for Power to the Paddle: With a minimum of equipment, Power to the Paddle provides a total body workout with clear and concise instructions on how to develop the flexibility, strength and endurance for paddlers. - John Browning-ACA Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer As a popular speaker at Canoecopia, John always packs the room with folks wanting to learn more about how to get and stay fit for their next on-water adventure. This book is sure to be a great help to paddlers of any experience level. - Nancy Saulsbury, Rutabaga Paddlesports The best way to get in shape for paddling is to paddle." Reality, or an excuse to neglect off-water training? In "Power to Paddle: Exercises to Improve your Canoe and Kayak Paddling" John presents a solid case for off-water training for everyone from the casual paddler to professionals. Not only is the case convincing, but John gives you the tools to improve your fitness for paddling and overall fitness. Solid step-by-step exercises will help develop flexibility, endurance and strength. I will be taking this book with me to the gym and in my kayak on expeditions. - Ryan Rushton, Owner, Geneva Kayak Center and ACA Level 5 Advanced Open Water Instructor Trainer

Tactics for Long Distance Sea Kayaking is designed to provide mid to advanced level paddlers with proven techniques on how to plan and successfully execute a long distance sea kayaking trip. Topics covered include: How to research destinations and plan long distance trips Techniques for traveling solo and in groups Equipment and clothing checklist and evaluations Communications Weather Dangers and cautions Charts and navigation Camping and life on shore Food and water Wildlife encounters

A Guide to Wilderness Canoe Fishing is an informative how-to book about fishing from a canoe. It is written from the perspective of canoe camping in the wilderness. However, the tips and techniques apply to fishing from a canoe on any lake or river. Frank R. Richards brings more than thirty years of hands-on experience to the table with his first book, a detailed, introductory guide to anyone who may be interested in fishing and canoeing, whether they are beginners or seasoned veterans. This book is more than an instructional manual. It contains interesting anecdotes to elaborate on practical points, with beautiful photographs to illustrate. A Guide to Wilderness Canoe Fishing provides information about identifying fish holding areas, selecting appropriate lures, targeting the right depth of water, and packing fishing gear for wilderness travel. The book also talks about the psychological and spiritual aspects of fishing in remote areas. The author wrote this book to share the system of fishing tips and techniques that he has developed over three decades of canoe trips into the bush. It is informative to anyone interested in fishing and canoeing. It was written with the hope of helping to speed up the learning curve for anyone just getting started with this fascinating activity.

We're a loosely knit group of kayakers who paddle San Francisco Bay every Thursday night. Most of us in our 50s and 60s, we've been at it since 2000. Launching in the early evening, we paddle to a deserted beach for dinner, returning in the dark. These tall tales - written to entertain - chronicle what we're up to.

Let the names of Florida's rivers and coastal waters roll off your tongue: Ocklawaha, Chassahowitzka, Suwannee, Waccasassa, Aucilla, Wacissa, Sopchoppy, Withlachoochee, Loxahatchee, Homosassa, Pithlachascotee, Econfina, Kissimmee... If you've paddled these waters in a canoe or kayak, the Native American place names evoke winding streams and shaded hammocks, shimmering coastal waters and wild tree islands. Florida is made for paddling. "Wild Florida Waters" places Florida's unsurpassed beauty and abundant wildlife in the forefront, from the mangrove labyrinth of the Ten Thousand Islands to the springfed Ichetucknee River. It also includes an exciting dose of paddling adventures, whether it's tipping over in the Suwannee River's Big Shoals rapids, surfing wind-generated waves while paddling the remote Apalachee Bay, or meeting up with a different form of "wild life" on a scenic waterway. Through all of the adrenalin, a strong conservation message permeates the volume, and useful how-to information is included at the end of each chapter. "A celebration of a part of Florida most visitors-and many residents-never see, a celebration of what old-timers call the real Florida." --Warren Richey, author of "Without a Paddle: Racing Twelve Hundred Miles Around Florida by Sea Kayak" "It is past time somebody wrote a book of this caliber. A treasure trove of information for nature enthusiasts." --Bill Richards, Executive Director, Paddle Florida "His blend of history and personal anecdotes is both entertaining and enlightening." --Tom McLaulin, president, Florida Paddling Trails Association

For a group of San Francisco Bay Area residents, Thursday nights are reserved for kayaking on the bay. Islands, bights, caves, and more . . . no corner of the bay and its history are left unexplored. While the tales in this volume chronicle only the paddles in 2010, they are part of a longer time flow, starting in 2000. Better than any travel guide on San Francisco Bay, these volumes capture the flavor of one of the world's most renown bodies of water.

Point to Point: Exploring The Inside Passage By Kayak is a traveler's guide for kayaking the waters of the Inside Passage from the San Juan Islands of Washington State to Skagway, Alaska. The story chronicles the three-month long adventure of a sea kayaker as he explores the 1,250-mile route completely alone. The reader experiences the day-to-day challenges faced by a long distance solo paddler heading north along the Pacific Ocean coastline of Canada and Alaska. Information on equipment and techniques necessary to complete the journey, as well as details of the route followed are covered. Sections on flora, fauna, geology, weather, safety, and the natural world provide the reader with unique background information.

For a group of San Francisco Bay Area residents, Thursday nights are reserved for kayaking on the bay. Islands, bights, caves, and more . . . no corner of the bay and its history are left unexplored. While the tales in this volume chronicle only the paddles in 2010, they are part of a longer time flow, starting in 2000. Better than any travel guide on San Francisco Bay, these volumes capture the flavor of one of the world's most renown bodies of water.

NOW WITH METRIC OFFSETS Tired of struggling with that heavy plastic kayak? Are you looking for a lightweight boat but not willing to take out a second mortgage to buy it? What if I told you that you could build a boat weighting less than 35 lbs for $300 to $500? You can and in my new book I will show you how. This style was very popular in the 1950's and 1960's and many boat plans appeared in magazines such as Popular Mechanics and Popular Science. Even though it is no longer fashionable in the magazines, the fuselage style of construction is still probably the most cost effective way to build a small boat. Recently I have seen a renewed interest in this type of boat construction. People are rediscovering the advantages of Fuselage style Skin Boats. Fuselage frames boats cost very little to build. A sheet of marine plywood, a lightweight wood such as cedar for the stringers, a few yards of a synthetic fabric for the skin and something to waterproof the skin. Materials for a basic 17' kayak cost around $300. Adding a seat, deck rigging and adjustable footrest would add another $100 to $150 dollars depending on your preferences. For somewhere around $400 you can build a high performance, 30-35 lbs boat. A composite construction canoe or kayak of similar weight would cost thousands of dollars. This book will walk you through the process of building your own Skin on Frame canoe or kayak. I start by addressing the space needed to build a boat as well as tools needed. There is a detailed section on laying out the frames from a table of offsets. Progressing to how to assemble the frame, skinning the boat and through all the steps to preparing your boat for launching. Included are offsets for three of my boat designs. The StoneFly canoe, Curlew, a 15' Sea Kayak and new sea kayak design Pouco Barta.

Hawaiians were stand up paddle surfing (known as SUP) in the '50s and '60s, but the sport was first seen on the U.S. mainland in the early 2000s, when surfers Laird Hamilton and Rick Thomas brought it to California. Now you see SUP popping up everywhere - it's ranked as the fastest growing sport in the U.S. by the Outdoor Industry Association and it has spread across the Atlantic to the UK. The inaugural UK SUP championships were held in 2008 and this is now an increasing popular branch of water sports in the UK. Longtime stand up paddler and instructor Rob Casey has authored the first and only comprehensive guide to the sport. From choosing the right gear to stroke techniques (j-stroke, Tahitian, sculling brace) and fitness advice, Rob will have you stand up paddling in no time. Specific chapters focus on flat-water paddling, paddle surfing, and river paddling to show you exactly what you need to take your SUP skills and knowledge to a specific environment. Whether you want to learn about fitness or expedition planning in flat water, how to forecast waves and current for surfing, or how to use river eddies to your advantage - it's all here in this easy-to-reference guidebook from a SUP expert.

'This is the gripping and inspirational account of two ordinary blokes ...double-handedly proving that the Age of Adventure is not over!' PETER FITZSIMONS With more than two thousand kilometres of treacherous seas and dangerously unpredictable weather and currents, it was little wonder no-one had ever successfully crossed the Tasman by kayak. Australian adventurer Andrew McAuley had come close just months earlier - tragically, though, not near enough to save his life. But two young Sydneysiders, James Castrission and Justin Jones, reached the sand at New Plymouth - and a place in history - on 13 January 2008, 62 days after they'd set off from Forster on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. In the process, they had to face dwindling food supplies, a string of technical problems, 14 days trapped in a whirlpool, and two terrifying close encounters with sharks. When they arrived in New Zealand, their friendship stronger than ever, they were sunburnt, bearded, physically and mentally wasted ...and, most of all, happy to be alive. "...nothing prepared them for the 62 days of rapture, despair and euphoria ...ultimately this is a story of the triumph of the human spirit." Lincoln Hall

After hanging in mid-air for a split-second, our canoe drops hard. Immediate primal fears, heightened by expedition tensions and summer's heat, grip us. We are descending out of control and into the core of a forty-foot whirlpool. The bow bends as if to be ripped asunder. Did we cheat death on Winnie's six-foot waves in near freezing waters and survive terrifying games of chicken played by towboat operators only to go down in a peril equal to Dante's inner circle? Mighty Miss' edge-of-death experiences mingle with portraits of sandy beaches; a Robinson Crusoe island; magnificent sunrises; close-up encounters with loons making their evening call; slam dancing carp, lips pulsating to pass brethren mosh-pit style; and fishermen and faith filled river people sharing intimate and uplifting stories. The ecstasy of nature's beauties and the excitement of survival make Mighty Miss a timeless and riveting Mississippi memoir.

Colombia Whitewater is the first whitewater guidebook to the rivers of Colombia. The project was a collaboration between Colombian and foreign paddlers who were instrumental in discovering Colombia's rivers and spreading that information to the world. Due to the civil war that is still being fought by left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries, and the Colombian government, many of Colombia's river drainages have been too dangerous to explore. In recent years, due to a strong offensive launched against these forces by the Colombian government, security has improved significantly in the rural areas of the country. This has allowed for a greater flexibility for river explorers. While much of Colombia's pristine whitewater remains in dangerous zones and largely un-explored, slowly, Colombia's whitewater is being re-claimed. This book, and the efforts of all involved, is an example of that. Colombia Whitewater is a compilation of Colombia's most classic river sections, with detailed river descriptions, hazards, logistics, and directions clearly explained. Colombia Whitewater would not have been possible if not for the close collaboration between the kayakers who have explored Colombia's whitewater.

"Ka-Ka-Ska-Ska" ("Headwaters to the Gulf" - in a kayak) is a very entertaining story of four friends' adventure down the Mississippi River. The expedition was not a scheme to fulfill a lifelong fantasy of man against nature or even an attempt to satisfy an unruly midlife itch, but simply the result of an impulsive decision over a cup of coffee. With little thought to detailed planning, the foursome strikes out to conquer the third largest river in the world in kayaks. The chronological travelogue covers the highlights as they paddle through uninhabited wilderness and along the banks of river towns. This is not another boring guide book on how to paddle or where to paddle nor is it just a narrative of a sole expedition. Instead, the reader discovers a blend of colorful accounts of other paddling trips and a bit of history - all seasoned with humor. Anyone interested in the outdoors and/or travel who enjoys the lighthearted approach will love this book.

This solo, wilderness kayaking journey began many years ago, years before I even knew anything about kayaks and paddling down remote, legendary rivers. Poring over maps of those pleases revealed very little. The blank spaces spread far and wide. At last, after decades of dreaming, I stood on the shore of Lake Atlin in British Columbia where the headwaters of the Yukon River are. I stood there and thought about all those hope filled years and thrilled at the anticipation of leaving that morning in mid-June.
Crossing the expanse of Lake Atlin in a fine mist, I guided the kayak toward Graham Channel, which would take me to Tagish Lake. There I met Jim and Marion Brook at their cabin. After hot coffee and freshly baked cookies, they sent me on my way. They were the first of many people who helped me on my journey.
That evening, having found the "perfect" campsite, I inspected the area for bear tracks. Finding none I started a large campfire before setting up the tent. Supper had been eaten at a previous stop, so there was no cooking where I stayed for the night. This was the procedure I followed every night. It kept animals bigger and hungrier than me from visiting my campsites.
As I paddle down the lakes, I stopped at villages such as Tagish; I paddled down Marsh Lake, down dangerous Lake Laberge; stopped in historic towns such as Whitehorse and Dawson City. I passed by wrecked and beached steamboats form the gold rush days and finally crossed the US/Canadian line into Alaska. I had paddled through a forest fire so immense that it took a day to pass the flames. The current carried me past Eagle, Circle City, though the Yukon flats (where he river was 10-20 miles wide) andcrossed the Artic Circle at Fort Yukon. Then came the small villages of Beaver, Stevens Village, and then the oil pipeline.
I paddled on to Rampart where the fierce head wind nearly drove me back upstream. Next I passed through Tanana, where I met Emmet Peter who has won the Iditarod long ago; then on to Ruby, Galena, Nulato and Holy Cross where Bergie Demientieff served me coffee and gave good advice.
Finally I arrived at Russian Mission where I ran out of time after 51 days and 2, 000 miles of paddling my kayak. There Harvey Pitka and his wife Ester fed me a wonderful dinner before I flew out. As the plane climbed and banked toward Bethel, I knew that I would return one day to finish my Kayak trip to the Bering Sea.

We're a loosely knit group of kayakers who paddle San Francisco Bay every Thursday night. Most of us in our 50s and 60s, we've been at it since 2000. Launching in the early evening, we paddle to a deserted beach for dinner, returning in the dark. These tall tales - written to entertain - chronicle what we're up to.

A year's worth of tall tales kayaking on San Francisco Bay in words and pictures.