Book Review: Kids Gone Paddlin’
11 May
In an era where kids are spending less and less time outdoors, author Tom Watson tried to do something about it. He wrote a childrens’ guide to canoeing and kayaking called Kids Gone Paddlin’: The Young Paddler’s Guide to Having More Fun Outdoors.
The book is a fun, colorful primer aimed at pre-teens that teaches the essentials of paddling — from the history and basics of boat construction and design, to necessary equipment and proper technique. A budding paddler reading the book from cover-to-cover can take to the water with an adult knowing more than enough to feel comfortable and have fun.
Watson, the author of the How to Think Like a Survivor and a former Alaskan guide and outfitter is a reviewer and field tester camping and survival gear.
Using succinct prose, interesting sidebars, and lots of colorful photos of youngsters having fun messing around in boats, Watson’s book does its fair share to present outdoor activities and water-sports as the enjoyable and challenging activities they are. After outlining the basics of boats and paddling, Kids Gone Paddlin’ highlights the fun of canoe and kayak camping and spotlights some primeir paddling destinations in North America.
If you know of a youngster in need of a good reason to get off the couch or leave his/her video games behind, Kids Gone Paddlin’ could be just the ticket.
