Kayak Surfing - Softcover

A modern, illustrated guide to the progressive sport of kayak surfing, which covers in detail the basic principles of surfing, equipment, surfing etiquette, advanced techniques and the psychology and philosophy of ocean wave-riding. This book is equally suited to the expert paddler and to the beginner considering taking up surfing in a kayak. The text has been written by Bill Mattos, one of the best-known exponents of the sport, who has travelled extensively in a long career as a professional kayaker and writer, and whose unique approach both to performance surfing and to the descriptive process cannot fail to inform and to inspire. Photographic material is drawn both from sequence shots of the author demonstrating his techniques, and spectacular inspirational photos from pioneering surf missions all over the planet, featuring a number of the world's best kayak surfers. Never before has such a book been published, taking kayakers deep into the world of surfing and establishing them in it's history and almost tribal hierarchy. Not only that, but this book effortlessly delivers skill and technique advice that will have other riders in the surf open-mouthed with surprise and envy.

Bill Mattos has been kayaking since he was eight years old. He has paddled all over the planet in pursuit of an ambition to kayak on every continent and in every ocean. He has competed in a wide variety of disciplines, including freestyle kayaking to World Championship level as a member of the 1995 and 1997 British Freestyle Team. He has won National and Eurocup events including several times the prestigious Bitches Rodeo in Wales, and has successfully surfed the fearsome Teahupo'o wave in French Polynesia, which had never before been ridden by kayakers. Bill has worked as a professional kayaker, designer, writer, model, photographer and videographer as well as being involved in the business and marketing side of the kayaking industry. He owns a successful company which manufactures kayaking equipment and clothing, and writes regular technique and feature articles for several leading kayaking magazines. He is not married, has no children, and doesn't live in Surrey.