The definitive guide to exploring and diving the Shipwrecks of the Cayman Islands. The spectacular natural beauty of the islands hides a treacherous coastline that has seen many ships founder. For the first time in print, there is an accurate account of around 140 of the best-known and identified shipwrecks. This guide relates to how and where these ships have been lost and also gives important information on how to identify details on the various types of sailing vessel that have plied these waters over the last 500 years. Packed with over 200 photographs and illustrations this book will undoubtedly be used as an authoritative reference on how to dive and snorkel the most popular of these artificial reefs.

At age forty-four, Penelope Niven was at a turning point in her life. In need of a change for both body and spirit, she decided to learn how to swim. While discovering the restorative effect of the water, she also began to notice that the lessons she was learning in the pool drew remarkable parallels with the lessons of life. The way in which you first get into the water, for example, is similar to trying anything new-you can jump in feet first, or dive in headfirst, but first you have to have some idea of what you're actually getting into. From floating to treading water, forward strokes to the backstroke, Swimming Lessons combines the familiar lessons of swimming with personal anecdotes and apt observations to stirring effect. Sensible, touching, and personal, this appealing book will be invaluable to any reader facing a life change or simply looking for a little bit of inspiration.
A Harvest Original

Swimming is one of the most beneficial and refreshing ways to exercise. However, many swimmers miss the greatest benefits of the sport. These swimmers train by swimming continuously for an allotted time or for a specified distance. By organizing and structuring their time in the pool, swimmers can greatly increase the benefits and enjoyment they derive from their workouts.

This guide offers information on the best places to witness the underwater wonders of the Virgin Islands, covering the region's dive sites. Each regional chapter also includes a directory which provides essential information on resorts and useful addresses and telephone numbers.

"Claire Walter eloquently provides answers to hundreds of questions about what it takes to venture into the waters of the world. Half of all birds who fly are female, as are half of the fish, dolphins, and whales who swim. Why not half of the humans who dive? Both men and women will find Walter's book entertaining, instructive, provocative, and a sure source of inspiration to plunge into the lake, river, or ocean of their dreams."--Dr. Sylvia Earle, Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society

"Claire Walter's "Scuba Diving: A Woman's Guide makes this wonderful sport accessible to anyone who has looked at the mounds of dive equipment and said, 'No way I can do that.' While preparing women to enjoy the basic scuba experience, this book will also stimulate its readers to explore the far-flung reaches of this planet's last great wilderness."--Maurine Shimlock, Secret Sea Visions

Discover a New World

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to glide effortlessly underwater, side by side with amazing sea creatures, then turn your dreams into reality and join the tens of thousands of women of all ages who have discovered the joys of scuba diving. Claire Walter demystifies scuba diving, while filling you in on everything you need to know to get started in this most magical of recreational activities. She provides insights and answers to common concerns women have regarding scuba diving, and walks you through the entire process, from learning the basics to becoming certified. You'll find out how to

Check the fit and condition of rental gear to ensure a successful first dive; Buy the right kind of gear and estimate how much you can expect to spend; Find a great instructorand learn to dive safely; Choose dream vacation diving locations, and find other women to dive with; Learn the safe and environmentally friendly ways to view corals, dolphins, and other sea life; Become certified to dive anywhere in the world; Extend your training and learn to teach others or make a career from your skills

Plus, you'll find personal accounts by women who share their fascinating underwater adventures, and tell you how they began to scuba, overcame their fears, met challenges, improved their skills, and made diving an irreplaceable part of their lives.

Dive instructor Greg Dombowsky introduces the first of a series in practical, well-illustrated, regional guides to the best dive sites on the B.C. coast and Puget Sound. In his debut book, Greg offers guidance to over 50 dives in surrounding Victoria, B.C. These dives offer high visibility waters, with outstanding sealife. This is the most functional guide available for these waters. Diver's Guide, Vancouver Island South is fully illustrated with Greg's own computer-generated maps, based on his personal exploration of these underwater environments. Includes excellent photos taken on these dives. To further appreciate the calibre of this book, visit Greg's website at www.dive.bc.ca.

This book puts an end to the drudgery of merely counting laps by showing you how to create your own individual fitness program--and have fun doing it!

Learn how to:

• Determine your own fitness level
• Choose an appropriate training program and build upon that program with a variety of innovative workouts
• Use a timing clock and interval training to increase your speed and endurance
• Use various training equipment, such as kick boards, hand paddles, and swimming fins to strengthen stroke technique
• Improve your cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone, and flexibility

Included for quick reference are tips for streamlining strokes, checklists for proper stroke execution, and a helpful glossary of training terms as well as a section on the joys and challenges of open water swimming.

Discover over 150 magical places to swim and explore in Spain. With stunning photography this book reveals the best crystal mountain lakes, secluded lake-side beaches, and turquoise pools hidden deep in waterfall-filled gorges. With recommendations for places to camp and eat this is all you need to take you off the beaten track.

"Discover untouched lakes, rivers and waterfalls in the Alps and foothills of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Slovenia. Over 150 secret bathing and swimming spots with detailed descriptions and tips on safety and access. Including family-friendly locations as well as challenges for the true adventurer. > Bathe and picnic by secret forest lakes > Hike to pristine mountain waterfalls > Swim over rare underwater meadows in transient summer lakes > Plunge into the icy waters of an underground glacial lake at 3200m > Adventure through mysterious flooded caves and tunnels"

A new re-issue of the cult swimming classic, a beautiful read filled with detailed description and powerful prose. WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY AMY LIPTROT 'A luminously romantic history of swimming' Guardian Haunts of the Black Masseur is a dazzling introduction to the great swimming heroes, from Byron leaping into the surf at Shelley's funeral to Hart Crane diving to his death in the Bay of Mexico. Bursting with anecdotes, Charles Sprawson leads us into a watery world populated by lithe demi-gods - a world that has obsessed humans from the ancient Greeks and Romans, to Yeats, Woolf, Fitzgerald and Hockney. Original, enticing and dripping with references to literature, film, art and Olympic history, this cult swimming classic pays sparkling tribute to water and the cultural meanings we attach to it. 'This splendid and wholly original book is as zestful as a plunge in champagne' Iris Murdoch

In The 100 Greatest Swimmers in History, John Lohn profiles some of the biggest names the sport has ever seen, from Mark Spitz and Tracy Caulkins to Katie Ledecky and Michael Phelps. Each swimmer is ranked based on achievements such as Olympic medals, world and European championships, and world records. Lohn provides insight into how these swimmers became the best in their sport by detailing their accomplishments, finest performances, records, and noteworthy biographical information. This new, updated edition contains results from the two most recent World Championships and the 2016 Olympic Games, and while many athletes further cemented their top-100 status, some newcomers also made their way into the rankings-including Katie Ledecky, who launched herself high up the list with her dominating performances. The 100 Greatest Swimmers in History also features a new section highlighting the top coaches in the sport and includes multiple appendixes that serve as wonderful references for information such as world and Olympic medal counts of the profiled swimmers. Fans, coaches, athletes, and sport historians alike will find this an indispensable resource.