REVIEW BY BOB FOOTE
ACA Instructor Trainer / BCU 4 Star
www.bobfoote.com

H2Outfitters'

Sea Kayaking Essentials DVD

A Visual Manual of Instruction - Volumes 1-3

Whether you're new to sea kayaking and in search of a resource that offers a solid foundation in strokes and skills or a seasoned paddler wanting to learn the finer points of boat control, this DVD by H2Outffiters has something to offer paddlers of a variety of skill levels.

H2Outfitters has combined the first three videos from their "Art of Paddling" series; The Basics (Volume 1), Honing the Skills (Volume 2), and Rescues that Work (Volume 3) into one comprehensive DVD.

The Basics (30 minutes) covers just that - the basic skills and strokes necessary for a safe and fun time on the water. Topics such as parts of the kayak, how to get in, wet exits and fundamental strokes (forward, reverse, and sweeps) are clearly broken down and demonstrated in this first volume.

Honing the Skills (35 minutes) takes it to the next level. In Volume 2, draws, braces, the C to C Roll and other advanced strokes and maneuvers are presented in a format that's easy to see and understand.

Rescues that Work (40 minutes) covers assisted rescues, such as the T, TX, and Side-By-Each, as well as self rescues like the Paddle Float and Re-enter and Roll. The Scoop, Hand of God and other specialized rescues and techniques are also included.

Along with the disc is an index that allows the viewer to search through the DVD by individual skill.

One of the strong points of this DVD is the diversity of the paddlers modeling the strokes. It shows a number of people doing the same stroke, but with their own style based on their boat and body. ItÕs worth just turning off the sound to watch the strokes being fluidly executed and to get a general visualization of their mechanics and flow. The graphics and underwater shots showing the hull and the paddle are also beneficial.

Throughout each volume, they take the time to lay a solid base line for each stroke and skill and then go on to encourage the paddler to adapt these principles to best fit their body, boat and style. H2Outfitters promotes the viewer to think and explore outside the "box". Some of the "what if" scenarios will be sure to get people thinking and possibly stirrup some debate. Just like the Donner Party, who when caught in extraordinary circumstances, had to resort to extreme measures or starve to death, H2Outfitters encourages the paddler to think about the "what ifs" before they happen - right down to a last resort contingency plan.

For paddlers wishing to bring their skills and strokes to the next level, H2Outfitters' Sea Kayaking Essentials (A Visual Manual of Instruction - Volumes 1-3) DVD gives you a lot of bang for a reasonable amount of buck. I recommend adding Volume 1-3 to any paddler's library and to stay tuned for Volumes 4 and 5.