water sports

this book taught me to roll, on my own, no instructor. derek hutchinson's book is a classic but dutkey's is an instruction manual.
personal creed: if you cant roll, don't go further than you can swim to shore. ergo, if you sea kayak, buy this book.
forget the pawlata, it's impractical. go for the sweep roll and relish the freedom having a bombproof roll brings to your paddling.

I bought this book around the time it first came out about nine years ago or so. Not only is it useful for learning the kayak roll, the author also covers "old school" playboating maneuvers such as wave surfing, side-surfing in holes, 360's, enders, and pirouttes. The illustrations are diagramatic and especially helpful. Rolling techniques included are the "C-to-C" or snap roll, the sweep roll, back deck rolls, hands rolls as well as rolling stategies and exercises. Definitely one of the most helpful kayaking technique books I have read.

I bought this book for my boyfriend, he has been using it for months and frequently goes out to practice what he has learnt from the book. He has become a skilled padler and almost everthing he has learned has come from this book. Its the best gift I ever bought for him.