General Kayak and Paddling Books

The materials listed below express an appropriate point of view, level of knowledge and level of skill for each course. Instructors are encouraged to use these or alternate resources that suit the needs of paddlers and environmental conditions found in their region.

Books for Level-1 Skills

• Seidman, David. The Essential Sea Kayaker. International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 2000
• Cooper, Doug. Sea Kayak Handling: A Practical Manual, Essential Knowledge for Beginner and Intermediate Paddlers. Pesda Press, 2009
• Schumann, Roger and Shriner, Jan. Sea Kayak Rescues. Globe Pequot, 2001
• Alderson, Doug. Sea Kayak Strokes: A Guide to Efficient Paddling Skills. Rocky Mountain Books, 2007

Books for Level-2 Skills

• Moyer, Lee. Sea Kayak Navigation Simplified. Alpen Books Press, 2001
• Ferrero, Franco. Sea Kayak Navigation: A Practical Manual, Essential Knowledge for Finding Your Way at Sea. Pesda Press, 2007
• Killen, Ray. Simple Kayak Navigation: Practical Piloting for the Passionate Paddler. International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 2006
• Schumann, Roger and Shriner, Jan. Sea Kayak Rescues. Globe Pequot, 2001
• Alderson, Doug. Sea Kayak Strokes: A Guide to Efficient Paddling Skills. Rocky Mountain Books, 2007
• Matthews, Alex. Sea Kayaking Rough Waters. Fox Chapel Publishing, 2011
• Whiting, Ken and Matthews, Alex. Sea Kayaking – The Ultimate Guide: Learn to Safely and Comfortably Enjoy Sea Kayaking (DVD). Heliconia Press, 2005
• Heath, John. Eastern Arctic Kayak-History, Design, Technique. University of Alaska Press, 2004

Books for Level-3/4 Skills

• Brown, Gordon. Sea Kayak: A Manual for Intermediate and Advanced Sea Kayakers. Pesda Press, 2006
• Alderson, Doug and Pardy, Michael. Handbook of Safety and Rescue. International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 2003
• Broze, Matt and Gronseth, Matt. Sea Kayaker’s Deep Trouble: True Stories and Their Lessons from Sea Kayaker Magazine. International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 1997
• Cunningham, Christopher. Sea Kayaker’s More Deep Trouble. International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press, 2013
• Cooper, Doug. Rough Water Handling: A Practical Manual, Essential Knowledge for Intermediate and Advanced Paddlers. Pesda Press, 2012
• Pardy, Michael. Marleau, JF. Woodford, Andrew and Harris, Piper. Navigation, Sea State, and Weather: A Paddler’s Manual. SKILS, 2010
• Pardy, Michael. Marleau, JF. Justine Curgenven, Sea Kayak Touring and Leadership Manual. Freedom of the Seas Volume 2. SKILS, 2024
• Burch, David. Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation,: Master the Traditional Skills and the Latest Technologies. Falcon Guides, 2008
• Moyer, Lee. Sea Kayak Navigation Simplified. Alpen Books Press, 2001
• Lange, Own. Living with Weather Along the British Columbia Coast: The Veil of Chaos. Gordon Soules Book Publishers, 2003

Books for Instructor Training

• Ferrero, Franco. British Canoe Union Coaching Handbook. Pesda Press, 2006
• Pardy, Michael. Marleau, JF. Woodford, Andrew and Harris, Piper. Sea Kayak Instructor Manual. SKILS, 2010
• British Canoe Union. Canoe and Kayak Handbook. Pesda Press, 2002
• Fisher, Dari Y. The Kayak Coaches’ Manifesto: An Alternative Approach to High Performance Kayaking. FriesenPress, 2012
• Plas y Brenin (Wales) National Mountain Centre. Top Tips for Coaches: Over 300 Top Tips and Handy Hints for Canoe and Kayak Coaches. Pesda Press, 2002
• French – Coulombe Dany. Manuel technique du Kayak de mer
• Renner, Peter. The Art of Teaching Adults. Training Assoc Ltd, 2005
• Zeller, Janet. Canoeing and Kayaking for People with Disabilities. Human Kinetics, 2009
• Wilhelm, Roy. Adapted Canoeing and Sea Kayaking for People with Disabilities. Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association, 2004
• Harvey, Mark. NOLS Wilderness Guide. Touchstone, 1999 Watts, Alan. The Weather Handbook. Sheridan House, 1999
• Environment Canada. Wind, weather & waves: A guide to marine weather in the Great Lakes region. Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1999
• Bowyer, Peter. Where the Wind Blows: A Guide to Marine Weather in Atlantic Canada. Breakwater Books Ltd., 1995
• Kosseff, Alex. AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership. Appalachian Mountain Club Books, 2010 Martin, Bruce. Outdoor Leadership: Theory and Practice. Human Kinetics, 2006
• Ruse, Dave. Canoe and Kayak Games: 250 Best Paddle Sport Games. Rivers Publishing UK, 2005
• Tyrrell, Diane. 101 Games and Activities for Canoes and Kayaks. Coaches Choice, 2011

Websites

Maritime Occupational Safety and Health Regulations

Canadian Small Vessel Regulations

Sea Kayaking Safety Guide Transport Canada

French – Kayak de mer Guide de sécurité

https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/migrated/tp14726f.pdf