Behind the Paddle

By Alistair Wilson,

Book cover of Behind the Paddle

Book description

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…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Behind the Paddle as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This autobiography opens looking from the start line at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

A long book with a lot of detail, the pace hardly seems to drop. The author used some unconventional methods in his training, including on the sea, not usual for a sprint kayak racer.

This was on the Ayrshire coast when the M6 was still under construction and regular national squad training weekends were never north of Birmingham. Back home with his family, he also ran a local training group.

The title has a double meaning as he began manufacturing the world-renowned Lendal paddles, with further travel…

From Stuart's list on our canals, rivers, and coast.

Want books like Behind the Paddle?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 50 books like Behind the Paddle.

Browse books like Behind the Paddle

Book cover of Pub Paddles: The Best Short Paddling Trips in the South of England
Book cover of River, Coast and Creek: An Exploration of Maritime Essex
Book cover of The Canoe Boys: The First Epic Scottish Sea Journey by Kayak

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,187

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in the Olympics, humpback whales, and World War 1?

The Olympics 37 books
Humpback Whales 8 books
World War 1 933 books