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Behind The Paddle Hardcover – April 3, 2022

by Alistair Wilson (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
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From a very young age I developed a fascination for the sea and a passion for paddling particularly in the roughest of conditions off the rocky coast of Lendalfoot in the south west of Scotland. That passion would define my life as a sportsman, an entrepreneur and businessman but most importantly it would also shape family life.
I would describe my early success in my chosen sport of sprint kayaking as accidental. If truth be told when I started out, I really did not have a clue. I was however super fit having trained hard, kayaking in wild stormy seas off the beach at both Lendalfoot and Prestwick. The joys of a good paddling work out in these difficult conditions are perfect for building strength and endurance and laid the ground work for great paddling fitness. This was the start of a journey which in three short years would take me to the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964 and then onto the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968.
In March 1965 I made the far-reaching decision to put what wood working skills I had to a real test by attempting to make a paddle of my own design to the same high standard and reliability as my beautiful all wood “Liminat” Danish made paddle. When my paddle was finished, with heart pounding, I gave it all I had with a sprint start off the line. The shaft flexed nicely and the blades had excellent catch, exiting the water cleanly. I was euphoric! Paddle development and manufacture would now become my life’s work and the primary focus of the business we called Lendal.
At times it became nigh impossible for me to balance the competing demands of the business and training and travel required to remain competitive in the sport that I loved. Something had to give and I decided not to train for the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972 shortly after a successful comeback in 1971. I competed seriously twice more once in 1977 and again in 1989.
In 1980 to my disbelief and great excitement I was invited to go on a three-week self-sufficient kayak expedition to the wilds of Alaska. That expedition was to bring one of the most humbling and profound experiences of my life, kayaking with a pod of orcas. My Alaskan adventure was an awesome adventure shared with good friends. It confirmed for me the unique advantages of using slim beautiful kayaks as a means of exploring in silence resulting in many opportunities to see wildlife at close quarters and leaving no footprints only fleeting paddle swirls.
In 1997 I was invited to join a group of paddlers running the Grand Canyon in October to mark the 25th anniversary of the first British expedition down the Colorado. I had very little experience of big white water and thought I would be a liability. My abiding memory of the Canyon is the contrast between gliding silently between towering walls of rock lulling you into a very relaxed state of mind until, away in the distance, you become aware of a muted roar. That roar becomes louder and louder as you approach the next awe inspiring rapid when you will be galvanized into action and striving with every muscle and sinew to get through without capsizing.
In 2001 I helped to organise a kayaking expedition to Newfoundland with a small group of four including my son Stuart. We had the privilege of watching, at close quarters, two humpback whales working in concert for at least two hours, gorging themselves on a seemingly endless supply of fish. Suddenly this activity stopped and we sat unmoving in our kayaks as the two whales swam close by on either side of our kayaks.
Being quite a private person, for years I resisted the suggestions made by friends and fellow paddlers that I should write a book. It took a great deal of encouragement from both Marianne and my sea kayaking friend Graeme Henderson for me to finally grasp the nettle and swap paddle for pen.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    308 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 3, 2022
  4. Dimensions
    7 x 0.92 x 10 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    173976160X
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1739761608
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Alistair Wilson (April 3, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 308 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 173976160X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1739761608
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.81 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.92 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 12 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
12 global ratings

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Nat Chamberlain
5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous book of an amazing journey
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
Where do I start? I loved this book. I knew nothing about paddling and kayaking, but the insight Alistair gives us into this sport is fascinating.

I felt myself involved in his personal battles for fitness and improvement throughout the book. The minor details constantly made me smile as I recognised parts of myself within the stories.

A truly amazing man and a wonderful journey of dedication and marvel. Not only on the athletic stage, but also the brains, the designs, and the entrepreneurial skills he has , which was so interesting to read about.

Incredible achievements. Thank you for writing this book!
2 people found this helpful
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Hank Marvin
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, fascinating and informative.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
Alistair Wilson was clearly not only a highly accomplished athlete in days when there were few sponsors and little guidance on training for kayakers, but he was also a good draughtsman, innovator and leader in paving the way for the next generation of paddlers. He was a keen explorer and this book tells many an interesting tale of his expeditions.
2 people found this helpful
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