A complete course for the whitewater kayaker--skills equipment and resources. A complete course in the dynamic sport of river running this easy-to-follow manual guides you step-by-step from basic skills to advanced techniques. Packed with detailed information and resources "The Essential Whitewater Kayaker" covers equipment selection paddling techniques river reading safety and rescue playboating surf kayaking steep creeking camping exploratory paddling racing and much more. Along the way pick up tips from premier whitewater kayakers Shane Benedict Sam Drevo Dan Gavere Cathy Hearn Lars Holbek Brandon Knapp Jamie Simon James Snyder and John "Tree" Trujillo.