Kayak: The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique

by William Nealy

The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique is an outdoor classic for all of those who want to live on the edge, but safely. Complete with all the details to enhance your whitewater experience, Kayak is a great resource for learning new skills for intermediate and advanced kayakers and learning rescue basics. Plus, all of this is explained in easy-to-read and understand illustrations that are as funny as they are resourceful. This book will teach you basic river courtesy rules, intermediate and advanced technique, and most importantly, how to hold on to your life and limbs and keep your sanity as well.

Genres: Outdoors, Nonfiction, Sports

190 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 1986

About the author

A world-famous cartoonist, William Nealy is best-known for his groundbreaking book Kayak, which combined expert paddling instruction as well as artful caricatures and parodies of the whitewater enthusiasts themselves. The quality of his work transcends its subject; this book, and the others which followed, spawned a host of imitators, and made William a cult figure in the world of outdoor sports. Born on February 4th, 1953, Nealy grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. Never comfortable in a highly structured environment, he left high school before graduating, and then attended St. Johns College, eventually graduating from Birmingham-Southern. He brought a thorough and rigorous intelligence to his interests and avocations, all of which, in his hands, became arts.

Reviews

[John Brentlinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous and well-illustrated guide to whitewater kayaking. You can tell that this was a passion project, the love for the river permeates the pages of this book

[TK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm new to whitewater kayaking (2 months under my wing) and this book was recommended by my kayaking instructor. The first thing that struck me about the book is it's style; the book is written kind of like a comic book, with hand drawn pictures, and 'step' animations in grids. There is also a bit of humour sprinkled throughout. Moving on from style, the book is very well rounded, covering basics such as kayak structure, rolls, and river anatomy, through to more advanced items such as pourovers (and how to run them). The book also covers rescue skills and has a glossary of kayaking terms. By the end of the book I was a lot more comfortable with my theoretical knowledge of rivers and rapid assessment. Highly recommended!

[Edwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please keep in mind this was written a long time ago, back in the day when a whitewater kayak was 11 feet long, on average. That being said, you will NEVER find a more heart felt love for boating expressed anywhere, I treasure my worn and battered copy of Kayak as though it were a rare first edition. AND it is rare, the lessons of the mechanics of boating are still just as relevant, but the encouragement to be calm and fluid in your boat is the most valuable. As William says on page 3, Be Loose. Simple, Brilliant, honest. You can feel this philosophy in every page that follows.

I never got to meet him, but if there is a boating Valhalla of some sort I will meet him there. He won't be the King or Queen or whatever, he will be the Jester, the beloved teller of jokes and Truth.

[Jasper Riogeist · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun read with great and hilarious drawings depicting kayaking techniques!

[Karl H · Rating 5 out of 5]

To become an kayak expert from experience. Not from reading.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a killer book!! Nealy totally knows his stuff and presents it in a fun, readable flow. He has some hilarious animations that are also very instructional. I learned a lot from reading this book, especially about the 3 dimensional nature of rapids and the perspective of hydraulics, etc. If you're a whitewater kayaker or would like to be, this book should be in your hands!

[Carlton Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago while learning to kayak in nepal, brazil, and the UK. This is an instructionally awesome book and teaches you really practical skills that help you float along all kinds of rivers, and keep safe(ish). I doubt any other author could surpass this! A mist read for any kayaker.

[Agis93 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of My Bible....

[Dioscita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious and helpful. While I have calmed down and moved from whitewater to sea kayaking, I kept this book anyway for its sheer 'delight factor.'

[Chelsey Gribbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book for every sort of boater-

Thanks Matty P!

[Steven Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely awesome- hilarious and true in equal measure. Read this book if you're starting to kayak.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great how-to book with humorous yet helpful cartoons.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Highly recommend.