Longlisted for Autobiography of the Year, Sports Book Awards 2022 The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller 'Honest and moving - everything a memoir should be' The Sun 'An illuminating look at what it takes to be an Olympian ... in this story, passion reigns supreme' Cosmopolitan A deeply personal and inspiring memoir from one of the most celebrated and influential names in British sport. Tom Daley captured the hearts of the nation with his unforgettable medal-winning performance in the London 2012 Olympics. At this year's Games in Tokyo, he triumphed to win gold and became the most decorated British diver of all time. In this deeply personal book, Tom explores the experiences that have shaped him and the qualities to which he owes his contentment and success; from the resilience he developed competing at world-class level, to the courage he discovered while reclaiming the narrative around his sexuality, and the perspective that family life has brought him. Candid and perceptive, Coming Up for Air offers a unique insight into the life and mindset of one our greatest and most-loved athletes.

John Quirk loves history, drawing and boats and these three elements come together in this attractive and entertaining book. He has sought out obscure episodes or familiar events from the past and written engagingly about them, illustrated with his excellent colour cartoons. Where possible he relates the historical happenings and maritime moments to the present day, be it when tracing the history of the screw, misinformation (fake news) during the Second World War, plague ships in the fourteenth century, or Russia's ill-fated war with Japan in 1904. The events covered range from Henry V's invasion of France in 1415, consisting mainly of chartered French ships and paid for partially by Dick Whittington, to episodes in the Second World War, like the Somali Camel Corps capturing a German U-boat. Other historic figures involved include Horatio Nelson, Napoleon, Rudolf Diesel and Lawrence of Arabia. The 25 stories and over 100 cartoons are a treasure-trove of compelling, salt-infused, tales told with imagination and humour, with an eye on the present day, which will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in maritime history (or even just history).

'Lovely, lively, passionate... a celebration of nature's ability to inspire healing and joy' Robert MacFarlane

This is one man's journey, swimming across Britain's countryside while coming to terms with something more challenging than the choppy waters of the English Channel. As Joe Minihane comes up for air, he discovers that swimming is both a joyous activity and a voyage into oneself. Minihane became obsessed with wild swimming and its restorative qualities, developing a new-found passion by following the example of naturalist Roger Deakin in his classic Waterlog. While fighting the currents, sometimes treading water, Minihane begins to confront the buried issues in his life. Along the way, he rekindles old friendships and forges new ones, and after an unexpected setback discovers that he has already gained enough strength to continue his recovery on dry land. Both strange and beautiful, the wild water puts him in touch with nature and himself. Floating is a remarkable memoir about a passion for swimming and nature. Moving from darkness into light, it is as intense and moving as it is lyrical and generous. It captures in memorable detail Minihane's struggle to understand his life, to move forward and, steeped in the anti-authoritarian and naturalistic spirit of Deakin, celebrates the joy of taking time to enjoy life. From Hampstead to Yorkshire, and Dorset to Jura, from the Isles of Scilly to Wales, Minihane has written a love letter to wild stretches of water. We swim with him through ponds and lakes, rivers and canals, lodes and marshes, even the ice-cold sea and come out of the water healthier.

Ant developed a fascination for the natural world at an early age, becoming especially passionate about fishing and diving. It has been a constant theme throughout his life and so, when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the early age of 48 years, it was devastating. However, he was fortunate enough to be offered ground-breaking brain surgery which enabled him to continue to enjoy life. From the thrill of catching bass and the excitement of diving for lobster and bull huss to the humour of marauding gerbils in the biology lab and his childhood love for a pet crow - this book will appeal to any reader who shares a passion for life.

Surfing: A Beginner's Guide has been the go-to surf book for beginners since 1996. This third edition, now with the endorsement of Surfing England, takes you through all the vital steps to become a surfer: you will learn where to surf, when to surf and how to surf safely.You will learn the foundations such as choosing the correct equipment, which is essential to make any progress as a beginner; pre-surf preparation, including getting fit with tips and advice; and your first surfer steps on the beach and in the ocean. All these stages lead up to you catching your very first wave and the surfing bug. The sea is renowned for its beauty, but infamous for its dangers. Alf provides you with transferable skills to safely enjoy your new hobby. Safety features heavily in the book, and you will learn all the basic common-sense aspects of surfing that even the most experienced surfer forgets.

Today, yachts are often equipped with electrical windlasses, autopilot, bow thrusters, etc. This equipment has also become much more reliable, making it possible to make long offshore passages without much knowledge of seamanship. However, as the coastguards in many countries can confirm, more and more yachts require assistance, even when they should be able to reach harbour on their own. In this book you will be shown the traditional techniques you should be familiar with - regarding rope handling, manoeuvring and anchoring - in order to make long or short passages safely. Each element is clearly explained alongside detailed illustrations, combining to make a straightforward and easy-to-follow guide. Although yacht gear is becoming more and more reliable, you can be almost sure that, sooner or later, it will fail or you will be out of electrical power to use it. Learning the traditional techniques may not only be necessary but is also both interesting and fun. Instead of waking up the entire harbour in the early hours with the noise of your bow thruster, you may, alternatively, use a spring line to get safely moored to or leave the pontoon quietly. Due to the design of the book, we have had to restrict the layout of the ebook to PDF style which may result in giving you a more restricted reading experience. For this reason, we would not recommend viewing it on very small screens.

A selected guide to the finest coastal paddling trips around Scotland. This completely revised and updated 2nd edition is packed with great photography and detailed route maps, alongside descriptions and anecdotes revealing Scotland's rich tapestry of maritime scenery, wildlife, history, geology and culture. Although primarily written for kayakers, the detailed tidal information contained within the book would also serve as a valuable inshore pilot for other water users such as anglers, windsurfers, sailors and SUP enthusiasts. New in this edition: * 12 additional routes (62 in total) * Selected routes in the Orkneys and Shetlands * New photos throughout * Improved maps * Sat nav coordinates for access points

This is a complete introduction to open canoeing. Canoeing and kayaking have topped the UK charts for water sports since 2003, matched only by angling (British Marine Federation survey). Over one million people went canoeing in 2008. This is the first complete introduction to open canoeing in seven years, the most up-to-date book about how to get into this growing sport. "Discover Canoeing" is a journey through the sport of open canoeing, its history, the modern canoe and the future. James Weir gives a fresh approach to one of the oldest forms of transport known to man. Colour photos and sequences show each of the techniques stage by stage, from getting afloat on calm waters, paddling with a partner, going on a trip or expedition, navigating rapids and righting yourself with an Eskimo roll after a capsize. Full of tips, tricks and know-how, this book has all you need to know to paddle your own canoe, stay safe and have fun.

Plans included: Marmaris Limani (1:50 000) Skopea Limani (1:100 000) Goecek (1:25 000) Fethiye (1:35 000) Approaches to Kastellorizo and Kas (1:75 000) Imray-Tetra charts for the Ionian and Aegean are widely acknowledged as the best available for the cruising sailor. They combine the latest official survey data with first-hand information gathered by Rod and Lucinda Heikell. The chart is designed to be used alongside Imray pilot guides of the area. Like all Imray charts, they are printed on water resistant Pretex paper for durability, and they include many anchorages, facilities and inlets not included on official charts. This edition includes the latest official data combined with additional information sourced from Imray's network to make it ideal for small craft. The latest harbour developments at Goecek are included as is latest official bathymetric survey data. There has been general updating throughout.

The exhilarating true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel, and inspire a “wave of confidence and emancipation� for women in sports (Parade). By age twenty, at the height of the Jazz Age, Trudy Ederle was the most accomplished swimmer in the world. She’d won Olympic gold and set a host of world records. But the greatest challenge remained: the English Channel. Only a few swimmers, none of them women, had ever made the treacherous twenty-one mile crossing. Trudy’s failed first attempt seemed to confirm what many naysayers believed: No woman could possibly accomplish such a thing. In 1926, Ederle proved them wrong. As her German immigrant parents cheered her, and her sister and fellow swimmer Meg helped fashion both her scandalous two-piece swimsuit and leak-proof goggles, Trudy was determined to succeed. “England or drown is my motto,� she said, plunging into the frigid Channel for her second attempt at the crossing. Fourteen hours later, two hours faster than any man, and after weathering a gale and waves that approached six-feet, she stepped onto Kingsdowne Beach as the most famous woman in the world. Based on years of archival research that unearthed Ederle’s memory from obscurity, Young Woman and the Sea brings to life the real Trudy Ederle, the challenges that came with her fame, and the historic mark her achievement made for all women athletes who followed. 

This book uses an innovative concept to allow easy retrieval and identification of species. It includes a systematic classification and detailed description for each fish and describes points of interest and differences between similar species. Updated with corrections 2018.

By popular demand, "The Beast" is back. In response to customer feedback and general confusion, "The Stormrider Surf Guide Europe" is back in one huge, mind-blowing book. Much like a traditional bible, it seems surfers want both testaments in one place, so "The Continent and Atlantic Islands" books have been combined into 400 pages of pure surf stoke. This book is thick enough to stop a shotgun blast at point blank range, so it's R.I.P. for the box set as this is the 4th coming of "The Stormrider Surf Guide Europe"."The Stormrider Guide Europe" (978-0-9539840-7-7) includes - Iceland & Scandinavia, Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Morocco, Canary Islands, Madeira and Azores.Fully revised and detailed information covering "The Surf", "Ocean Environment" and "Surf Culture" on a country by country basis. The "Surf" outlines where to go and when to go and demystifies the entire European coastline. "Ocean Environment" deals with pollution, erosion, access and hazards, while "Surf Culture" illuminates the surf scene including history, surf media, contests and localism. The indispensable travelling information is concise plus there's links to all the latest oceanographic and swell forecasting resources.The entire coastline is accurately mapped in detail, showing where to find the main surfing breaks. Each surf break report outlines how and where the waves break, quality, consistency and the general vibe. The unique Stormrider symbols reveal optimum wind, tide, swell size and direction, as well as wave type and bottom contour. Crowds, hazards, dangerous sea-life, pollution, access and environmental problems are also noted.A picture tells a thousand words so there are hundreds of the best photos of European surf ever compiled. Stunning images in crisp colour from the cream of the world's surf photographers and that extra dimension that makes "The Stormrider Guide Europe" the most detailed surf guide money can buy.

This book is a celebration of the life and adventures of Andy Jackson, Scottish kayaking legend. In December 2004 the kayaking community was stunned by the premature death of Andy Jackson. "Tall Stories" collates accounts and photos of the tall man's adventurous life. As we follow him around the world, Andy's gregarious good humour comes across at every turn. From his native Scotland to Nepal, New Zealand and North America on his 'World Tour' and on to Iceland and Chile, Andy made a friend of everyone he met.Every first weekend in September, kayakers from around the world gather at the Wet West Paddlefest to celebrate his life and paddle two of his favourite rivers. Andy will remain an inspiration for generations to come.Ron Cameron first encountered Andy Jackson in Tain, Easter Ross when Andy was 19 and he was 43 and kayaked, skied and climbed with him regularly until the time of his death, suffering no significant injuries as a result. He was stupid/smart enough to rent Andy a house for about six years. Sometimes he thinks he should have stuck to climbing but paddling and skiing with Andy was a life enhancing experience.

Uncover the secrets to sailing fast whilst remaining in control.

Mainsail trimming is not only a physically and mentally demanding role on a boat; it is also one of the most crucial. You need a deep and subtle appreciation of sail shapes and the controls used to achieve them. Most significantly, the role requires an obsession with acquiring and retaining speed.

This book is here to help and it has been written in a groundbreaking way. Every effort has been made to simplify the subject and explain everything that you need to know without blinding you with science. Sailing terminology has been reined-in as much as possible and only information relating to mainsail trimming has been included.

High quality photographs and illustrations are used throughout to simplify this complex subject. This is achieved by showing the sail shapes needed to make the boat go fast and stay under control. Only one sailing role is dealt with to further simplify the subject and make sailing more accessible to the newcomer.

'What a fun book! Reading Sea Fever is enticing and intriguing, like watching floating treasure bob past your nose.' Tristram Gooley, author of The Natural Navigator Can you interpret the shipping forecast? Do you know your flotsam from your jetsam? Or who owns the foreshore? Can you tie a half-hitch - or would you rather splice the mainbrace? Full of charming illustrations and surprising facts, Sea Fever provides the answers to all these and more. Mixing advice on everything from seasickness to righting a capsized boat with arcane marine lore, recipes, history, dramatic stories of daring-do and guides to the wildlife we share our shores with, even the most experienced ocean-dweller will find something in these pages to surprise and delight.

Praise for this boating classic:

"The most up-to-date and readable book we've seen on the subject."--"Sailing World"

"Deserves a place on any diesel-powered boat."--"Motor Boat & Yachting"

"Clear, logical, and even interesting to read."--"Cruising World"

Keep your diesel engine going with help from a master mechanic

"Marine Diesel Engines" has been the bible for do-it-yourself boatowners for more than 15 years. Now updated with information on fuel injection systems, electronic engine controls, and other new diesel technologies, Nigel Calder's bestseller has everything you need to keep your diesel engine running cleanly and efficiently. "Marine Diesel Engines" explains how to: Diagnose and repair engine problems Perform routine and annual maintenance Extend the life and improve the efficiency of your engine

The Science of Sport - Swimming is a complete guide for swimming training through the application of physiological, biomechanical, psychological, strength and conditioning, nutritional and injury management methods that can be used to optimize performance. Practical examples are included on the components of swimming conditioning, technical and mental training, and how they relate to the various swimming speciality events. The text provides details on mental and strength conditioning training exercises and racing day preparation methods for various abilities, including speciality swimmers who seek performance improvement constantly. The book includes contributions from leading coaches and sport scientists, sport psychologists, sports medical practitioners and Olympic, world and national champion swimmers.