Read The Water

A sea kayaker’s resource for interpreting wind, waves and current.

As paddlers you may have noticed that some days a familiar piece of water looks different. As coaches we often ask students if anything has changed, referring to the weather, wind, swell, tide, current or sea conditions. This ability to observe and understand /read the changes in conditions is imperative to a good leader/guide or competent paddler. So how do we get this insight and the ability to read the tell tale signs that the sea/sky is giving us, and recognise that something is different and understand what the difference means. The aim of this book is to develop your tools and skill of observation, thus helping you to read the sea and become a barometer to the changes that occur.

The book includes the following chapters:

• The Fundamentals. Wind and waves, tide and current
• Planning for and navigating by change / pilotage
• How to observe
• The surf environment
• Wind and weather
• Moving water, current and around the rocks

Sea Kayaking Guide to Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion

Updated and now in colour, this guide gives you the essential information needed to paddle the coastline of West Wales.

The book distils the experience and knowledge of three local paddlers who between them, have over 120 years’ experience of paddling the local waters!

Access and tidal stream information, transport and camping details, together with background on wildlife, geology, legends and local history make this an essential guide for anyone planning day trips or longer expeditions along this coast.

Sea Kayaking

Sea Kayaking, which is one of the oldest forms of transport, provides a diversity of exhilarating opportunities, including long sea crossings, ground-breaking expeditions to isolated areas, playing in the surf, journeying to remote beaches, or simply using the kayak as a platform from which to observe the fauna and flora of coastal waters.