Susan The Magazine

Kayak racer and mud connoisseur Susan Starbird explores the physics and metaphysics of kayaking in this contribution to the cult literature of paddlesport. In a series of lyric essays about this challenging, addictive, and humbling activity, her topics range widely across the tragicomic spectrum, from a meditation on paddling, the "autobiography" of a unicellular organism, boat evolution, observations on river bottoms, drowning, flotsam, boater access, competition, and a culminating cross-referenced index titled "Everything I Know About Kayaking." This slim volume contains no heroic tales of first descents or global adventure, but plenty of references to mundane B.K.D.s -- bad kayaker decisions -- and as all boaters know, bad decisions can make good stories. The 2nd edition includes new material.