Dennis Spike, Coastal Kayak Fishing
"The CKF Guides and management have reviewed Sit-on-top Kayaking, A Beginner's Guide" and clanked mugs! A tremendously successful effort, SOTK will quickly prove to be a valuable tool for all entry-level paddlers as well as all the informally trained veterans. We like the book so much we plan on adding its exposure to the CKF Schools curriculum."


Sonny Norris, Central Florida PaddleMasters paddling club
"I have been paddling for 40 years now and have two words for your book: "Great Job!"


Book Description
In just 96 pages this new paperback introduces the beginner to their craft, its features, and the equipment needed to best enjoy the sport. It covers all the basic strokes and entry techniques. The book then goes on to discuss conditions that kayakers face while paddling: from wind and waves to oceans and fresh water. An easy read, it is graced with over 60 illustrations, charts and checklists. It gives the basics of touring, fishing, camping, surfing and diving; route planning, rescues, signals and even putting a kayak on your car. Finally, it addresses where to find sit-on-tops nation-wide.


About the Author
Tom Holtey has eighteen years experience in the paddle sports industry with a foundation in canoeing and traditional sea kayaking. Trained and practiced in wilderness trip planning - from the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine to the tropical coastlines of the Hawaiian Islands - he has lead and taught the novice adventurer under many varied conditions. It was while teaching courses in sit-on-top kayaking at the University of Hawaii that much of this book began to take form. During this time, Tom managed a kayak retail store in Honolulu and worked extensively with members of the local kayak club, Hui Wa's Kaukahi, where many new developments in the sport have been made.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

An essential, easy to use book for an easy to use kayak. Learn how to use sit-on-top kayaks for touring, fishing, camping, surfing, diving, exercise and just for fun. Get educated on roof racks, safty, rescues and how to choose the kayak best for you. Sit-on-top kayaking is fun, safe and easy to learn. No Eskimo rolling because you can't get trapped upside down! No flooding because they are self bailing! Start off the right way with basic knowledge and skills. Anyone can do it! For almost eighteen years Tom Holtey has been helping the novice adventurer get out on the water. He self published this little book to make sure it could do just that for you, and readers agree it's working!

About the Author:

Tom Holtey has eighteen years experience in the paddle sports industry with a foundation in canoeing and traditional sea kayaking. He has been involved in the sit-on-top field for the past eight years pioneering this new branch of the sport. An alumni of N.O.L.S. and trained and practiced in wilderness trip planning - from the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine to the tropical coastlines of the Hawaiian Islands - he has lead and taught the novice adventurer under many varied conditions. It was while teaching courses in sit-on-top kayaking at the University of Hawaii that much of this book began to take form. Holtey also managed a kayak retail store in Honolulu and worked with members of the local kayak club, Hui Wa'a Kaukahi, where many developments in the sport have been made. He is currently touring kayak symposia nation-wide and working on more projects to promote sit-on-top kayaking in order to educate those entering this growing sport.

SYNOPSIS

Only 96 pages, a quick read...but packed with charts, checklists, a beginner's glossary, and over 60 excellent illustrations by artist Mike Altman. This new paperback introduces the beginner to their craft, its features, and the equipment needed to best enjoy the sport. It covers all the basic strokes and entry techniques. The book then discusses conditions that kayakers face while paddling: from wind and waves to oceans and fresh water. It gives the basics of touring, fishing, camping, surfing and diving; route planning, rescues, signals and even putting a kayak on your car. Finally, it addresses where to find sit-on-tops nation-wide.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

I have been paddling for 40 years now and have two words for your book: Great job! — Sonny Norris, Central Florida PaddleMasters Paddling Club