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.

Ultimate Skiing Adventures takes you on a skiing voyage around the planet’s biggest, best and most unusual ski destinations – from the huge mega-resorts of the French Alps to sailing along Iceland’s north coast in search of great snow, there are exciting adventures that will appeal to everyone from novice to expert. The inspirational descriptions of 100 locations combine Alf Alderson’s personal experience with the input of experts in all aspects of skiing and mountain sports and are accompanied by stunning full-page photography from some of the world’s foremost ski photographers. This book allows you to escape onto the slopes in your own home. Perfect for planning your next ski trip or indulging in some armchair skiing of slopes that only the most adventurous will tackle. And it’s not just about skiing – the contents cover avalanche rescue techniques, snow science, road trips, the work of ski patrollers and resorts so remote and obscure that you may never have heard of them. The book is divided into chapters on Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, Scandinavia and the Rest of the World. Discover where you will ski next – in reality or in your imagination.

This new edition of Ultimate Surfing Adventures takes you on a thrilling ride around the world’s best surfing spots – from tropical reefs, through temperate waters to ones where you will need a wetsuit. There are exciting adventures that will appeal to everyone from novice to expert. Stunning, full-page photographs put you at the heart of the action, while inspirational descriptions illustrate why each break is so unique. It’s perfect for planning your next surfari, or alternatively allows you to indulge in some armchair surfing of breaks that only the most adventurous will ride. As well as classic waves around the Pacific, there is a wealth of more unusual surf spots from Antarctica to Snowdonia. Every continent is covered, so expect to find waves you’ve ridden alongside those you never knew existed. Each entry is accompanied by useful information such as the best season to surf, hazards to consider, how to get there and what to do when you’re all surfed out. The book is divided into sections on Europe, Africa & the Middle East, Asia & the Indian Ocean, Australasia & the Pacific Islands, North America, Central America & the Caribbean and South America & Antarctica. Discover where you will surf next – in reality or in your imagination.

Whether you're a football fan, a tennis aficionado, a keen golfer or a basketball nut you'll love this top collection of facts - the must-have miscellany for any sports fan. Featuring obscure, unbelievable, intriguing and engaging facts about some of the world's most popular ball sports, discover fascinating nuggets of information on the sports, the balls, the players, the history and plenty more. All the major ball sports are covered and you can find out why the number of dimples on a golf ball can make you a better player, what the fastest recorded serve is in a tennis match and who is the world's highest-earning ball player.