City Paddler How I Started Paddling And You Can Too

Basketball, Football, and Baseball are all the popular sports that attract most people, particularly from a minority community in an urban area. This book attempts to raise awareness to everyone both inside and outside an urban area as to the unique serenity that paddling offers. The books requires you to consider paddling in your own neighborhood, as you might have a great place to paddle within 30 minutes or your home and not even know it. It details the love of the water in the life of Michael Taylor from childhood that carried into his adult life. It reveals the paddling community in the Chicago area and reviews the purpose and goals of these organizations. Lastly as a Christian the author reflects on the appreciation of nature and the blessings that God provides to all humanity that he sees when he is out on the water.The book is informational, it is funny, and it is spiritual. It is meant to inspire the reader to pick up the sport of paddling and become an advocate for the waterway systems in their community.

It was crazy. It was unthinkable. It was the adventure of a lifetime. When Don and Dana Starkell left Winnipeg in a tiny three-seater canoe, they had no idea of the dangers that lay ahead. Two years and 12,180 miles later, father and son had each paddled nearly twenty million strokes, slept on beaches, in jungles and fields, dined on tapir, shark, and heaps of roasted ants. They encountered piranhas, wild pigs, and hungry alligators. They were arrested, shot at, taken for spies and drug smugglers, and set upon by pirates. They had lived through terrifying hurricanes, food poisoning, and near starvation. And at the same time they had set a record for a thrilling, unforgettable voyage of discovery and old-fashioned adventure. "Courageous . . . Exciting and always immediate." -- The New York Times Book Review

The Ultimate Guide to Paddling the Everglades! Nothing compares to paddling Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. Encompassing nearly 1.7 million acres combined, these two national parks cover most of South Florida, from Everglades City south to Flamingo and across much of Florida Bay, and from the western shoreline of Biscayne Bay east to the offshore reefs, including part of the upper Florida Keys. Paddlers can discover beautiful ecosystems, fascinating habitats, and many diverse paddling routes. Paddling Everglades and Biscayne National Parks details at least 40 of the very best paddles throughout the National Parks, providing routes for every type of paddler. User-friendly format with informative maps throughout Informative at-a-glance paddle specs for every route Full-color photos throughout GPS coordinates for every put-in/takeout

Sole Paddle speaks of solitude and relationships, of walking alone and in community—and of embracing the present and future as part of a team, but also, sometimes with a sole paddle. It tells the story of John Bear, a young man from the isolated wilderness community of Reflection Lake, raised by his grandfather and his grandmother, and influenced by the parish priest. Late summer, John—hunter, fisherman, tourist guide—returns to school, where the principal and two teachers encourage him to complete his senior-year studies and develop his leadership skills. John participates in the annual school play, a presentation that highlights the community's need for wisdom and courage to heal itself, and step confidently into the future. In co-researching, co-writing the script, and narrating the play, John deepens his understanding of himself and his community which awakens a desire to learn more about the outside world. When a forest fire threatens Reflection Lake, the community is spared by John's, his grandfather's, and other firefighters's work, and by a life-giving three-day rain. Following his grandfather's sudden death shortly after the fire, John observes that the past includes painful memories as well as disempowering and empowering stories; the present offers obstacles and complex choices; and the future requires courage, strength and wisdom to navigate. He decides to pursue a university degree.

Alaska has few roads and even fewer trails—only a few hundred miles of maintained footpaths exist outside the cities—so paddling the state's thousands of miles of rivers and lakes is the best way to get off the beaten track. Paddling Alaska describes the best and most accessible routes—forty classics in all, from downtown Anchorage to the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys and the Kenai Peninsula, and from the southern interior north to the Yukon. Carefully chosen to accommodate most beginning-to-intermediate paddlers, each route is within easy driving distance of population centers, providing quick access to wilderness for city residents and visitors alike. Look inside to find: • Detailed river descriptions • Maps showing access points and river miles • Level of difficulty, optimal flows, rapids and other hazards • Gear and packing recommendations specific to Alaska conditions

The definitive guide to seeing all the wonders of Scotland under paddle power. Scotland is one of the most appealing destinations for kayakers, canoeists and paddleboarders from all over the world. That's because if there is one country best seen from the water, it is Scotland. Loch Ness contains more water than all of the rivers and lakes in England and Wales combined – and there are 27,000 other lochs to explore as well. What's more, with 125,000km of rivers and 800 islands, there's always somewhere new to paddle. And the spectacular Scottish scenery only adds to the appeal. This book is the complete guide to paddling the wonderfully varied waterways, lochs, rivers and coasts of Scotland, compiled by Ally Findlay, a paddleboard instructor and tour guide based in Glasgow. He covers all regions of Scotland: - South Scotland, including the coast at Kirkcudbright and Fleet Bay, and inland to Loch Ken, and the Galloway Canoe Trail - Central Scotland, including Loch Lomond and the beautiful Trossachs National Park - East Coast Scotland, including the Forth Bridges - West Coast Scotland, from the coast at Arasaig to lochs and rivers including the amazing Rannoch Moor - Scottish Highlands, which become a magical playground in the northwest following the Inverpoly routes From short paddles to day trips into the stunning wilderness, this book covers excursions for all occasions and all levels of ability, explaining where to begin and what to look out for. Most are well suited to canoe and kayak, but going further, some are even better explored standing up on a paddleboard, including cross-Scotland routes such as the Shin System. With beautiful and evocative photography, and clear maps, this is the essential guide to seeing Scotland under paddle power, exploring where to go, how to get there and what to see en route.

Get the most informative paddling guide to the area, featuring 50 of the best routes for canoeing and kayaking. Boasting more than 400 miles of coastline, beautiful sandy beaches, expansive salt marshes, and dozens of protected bays and harbors, Long Island is truly a paddler’s paradise. It offers something for everyone, from expert sea kayakers to families with young children. Amazing wildlife; ever-changing landscapes; charming history; and, on its western edge, a view of the setting sun behind the Manhattan skyline—there’s no better way to explore it all than from the water. Paddling Long Island & New York City is the most comprehensive guide to the area’s top paddling locations, including rivers, harbors, lakes, and portions of the New York City Water Trail. Written by expert local paddler Kevin Stiegelmaier, the guidebook provides engaging and concise information about Long Island’s geology, weather, history, and wildlife, while also offering carefully selected details vital to a successful paddling trip. You’ll appreciate Kevin’s helpful hints on trip planning, including notes on tides, equipment, training, and camping. Plus, the book’s safety information and navigational “rules of the road” are essential to know. Inside you’ll find: Details on 50 top paddling trips Route descriptions with full-color maps and photos Recommended runs for fishing, trips with children, wildlife viewing, and more At-a-glance data including difficulty, distance, and potential hazards GPS coordinates for put-ins and take-outs Whether you’re looking to spend a long day on the water or you only have time for a quick tour of a local harbor, this book has the information you need to make the trip enjoyable. Wet your paddle and whet your taste for outdoor adventure!

Anchored by two stunning national parks, carved by dozens of rivers and sprinkled with glistening lakes, Montana is a standup paddling paradise. From calm paddles set against snowcapped mountains to whitewater routes for adventurous souls, Standup Paddling Montana features the best sites across the state for standup paddlers of all skill levels.