Sea Kayak Handling: A Manual for Beginner and Intermediate Paddlers

Master the essential skills of sea kayaking with one of the UK’s leading coaches.

Sea Kayak Handling by Doug Cooper is a clear, practical, and highly visual guide designed for beginner and intermediate paddlers who want to handle their sea kayak with confidence and precision.

Drawing on decades of coaching and expedition experience, Doug presents the core techniques every paddler needs to develop control, efficiency, and balance on the water. Through step-by-step explanations and accurate sequential photographs, this book helps you build your skills progressively and safely.

Inside you’ll learn:

• Foundation skills: posture, connectivity, power transfer, and boat feel
• Essential techniques: forward and reverse paddling, edging, and turning
• Advanced handling: stern rudders, sideways movement, and support strokes
• Using skegs and rudders for better control in varied conditions
• BCU 3 and 4 Star Sea Award preparation – ideal for structured learning and assessment

Written in a clear, concise style with an emphasis on understanding how the kayak responds, this book transforms complex movements into achievable, confidence-building skills.

Sea Kayak Handling is an indispensable manual for anyone looking to refine their paddling technique — whether exploring calm coastal waters or tackling more challenging seas.