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Water Sports

Dive into our collection of water sports books spanning kayaking, sailing, wild swimming, surfing and open-water adventures. From coastal explorations and river journeys to ocean crossings and cold-water therapy, discover the stories and guides that bring the water to life.

27 books

The Rowing Marine : Crossing the Atlantic: The World’s Only Physically Disabled Person to Hold the World Record in an Endurance Event

The Rowing Marine : Crossing the Atlantic: The World’s Only Physically Disabled Person to Hold the World Record in an Endurance Event

Lee Spencer

Hardback

Jules & Greg's Wild Swim : The deep dive companion to the hit TV series

Jules & Greg's Wild Swim : The deep dive companion to the hit TV series

Jules Wilson Nimmo, Greg Hemphill

Hardback

Superyacht Success : The insider's guide to the yachting industry

Superyacht Success : The insider's guide to the yachting industry

Brendan O’Shannassy

Hardback

Lurssen

Lurssen

Lurssen

Hardback

The Complete Yachtmaster 11th edition : Sailing, Seamanship and Navigation for the Modern Yacht Skipper

The Complete Yachtmaster 11th edition : Sailing, Seamanship and Navigation for the Modern Yacht Skipper

Tom Cunliffe

Hardback

Solent Cruising Companion : A Yachtsman’s Pilot and Cruising Guide to Ports and Harbours from Keyhaven to Chichester

Solent Cruising Companion : A Yachtsman’s Pilot and Cruising Guide to Ports and Harbours from Keyhaven to Chichester

Derek Aslett

Hardback

Dive Atlas of the World, Revised and Expanded Edition : An Illustrated Reference to the Best Sites

Dive Atlas of the World, Revised and Expanded Edition : An Illustrated Reference to the Best Sites

Jack Jackson

Hardback

Take Me to the River : A selection of joyful, immersive and life-affirming writing about wild swimming

Take Me to the River : A selection of joyful, immersive and life-affirming writing about wild swimming

Vicky Allan, Jackie Kemp

Hardback

150 Years of Swimming the Channel : The Story of the World Famous Challenge

150 Years of Swimming the Channel : The Story of the World Famous Challenge

John Goodbody

Hardback

It's Only Drowning : A True Story of Learning to Surf and the Search for Common Ground

It's Only Drowning : A True Story of Learning to Surf and the Search for Common Ground

David Litt

Hardback

There Will Be Headwinds : Kayaking the Northwest Passage

There Will Be Headwinds : Kayaking the Northwest Passage

Mark Agnew

Hardback

Swimmingly : Adventures in Water

Swimmingly : Adventures in Water

Vassos Alexander

Hardback

Surfer Stories : 12 Untold Stories by 12 Writers about 12 of the World's Greatest Surfers

Surfer Stories : 12 Untold Stories by 12 Writers about 12 of the World's Greatest Surfers

Claudia Lebenthal

Hardback

Stars to Steer By : Celebrating the 20th century women who went to sea

Stars to Steer By : Celebrating the 20th century women who went to sea

Julia Jones

Hardback

West Country Cruising Companion : A Yachtsman's Pilot and Cruising Guide to Ports and Harbours from Portland Bill to Padstow, Including the Isles of Scilly

West Country Cruising Companion : A Yachtsman's Pilot and Cruising Guide to Ports and Harbours from Portland Bill to Padstow, Including the Isles of Scilly

Mark Fishwick, Kate Brodie

Hardback

Breathe : Life Lessons from the Edge of the World

Breathe : Life Lessons from the Edge of the World

Mollie Hughes

Hardback

Parrotfish of the Great Barrier Reef : Rainbows under the Sea

Parrotfish of the Great Barrier Reef : Rainbows under the Sea

Michelle Brayshaw

Hardback

Extraordinary Pools

Extraordinary Pools

Naina Gupta

Hardback

Every Body Surf : A Tribute to Self-Love and Sisterhood

Every Body Surf : A Tribute to Self-Love and Sisterhood

Carolina Amell

Hardback

Breaking Waves : Discovery, Healing and Inspiration in the Open Water

Breaking Waves : Discovery, Healing and Inspiration in the Open Water

Emma Simpson

Hardback

The Knot Bible 2nd edition : The Complete Guide to Knots and Their Uses

The Knot Bible 2nd edition : The Complete Guide to Knots and Their Uses

Nic Compton

Hardback

Inside the Britannic : Uncovering the wreck of the Titanic's sister ship

Inside the Britannic : Uncovering the wreck of the Titanic's sister ship

Simon Mills

Hardback

Life Around the Sea : Capturing the Heart of Australian Surf Culture

Life Around the Sea : Capturing the Heart of Australian Surf Culture

Russell Ord, Alex Workman

Hardback

Swimming with the Viking of Skye : A true story of overcoming fear and finding hope for the future

Swimming with the Viking of Skye : A true story of overcoming fear and finding hope for the future

Richard Waters, Christian Lewis

Hardback

Splicing Modern Ropes 2nd edition : A Practical Handbook

Splicing Modern Ropes 2nd edition : A Practical Handbook

Jan-Willem Polman

Hardback

The World Beneath : The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs

The World Beneath : The Life and Times of Unknown Sea Creatures and Coral Reefs

Dr.Richard Jr. GISP Smith

Hardback

North American Odyssey : 12,000 Miles Across the Continent by Kayak, Canoe, and Dogsled

North American Odyssey : 12,000 Miles Across the Continent by Kayak, Canoe, and Dogsled

Amy and Dave Freeman, Dave Freeman

Hardback

About Water Sports

From the adrenaline rush of big wave surfing to the meditative calm of wild swimming, water sports offer some of life's most transformative experiences. Our curated collection brings together the essential reads for anyone drawn to aquatic adventure — whether you're planning your first kayaking trip, dreaming of ocean crossings, or seeking inspiration from those who've pushed the boundaries of what's possible on and beneath the waves.

These books span the full spectrum of water-based pursuits: practical guides for sailors navigating coastal waters, memoirs from channel swimmers and Atlantic rowers, explorations of cold-water therapy's healing powers, and stunning visual celebrations of maritime heritage. You'll find technical manuals for aquatic fitness, shore guides for exploring new coastlines, and deeply personal accounts of how paddleboarding, swimming and sailing have changed lives.

Whether you're an experienced sailor, a wild swimming enthusiast, a surfing devotee, or simply curious about life on the water, these books offer knowledge, inspiration and insight. They're perfect for armchair adventurers planning their next expedition, athletes seeking to improve their technique, or anyone who finds solace, challenge and joy in the world's rivers, lakes and oceans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our collection includes several excellent wild swimming titles, from Breaking Waves, which explores discovery and healing in open water, to An Opinionated Guide to Swim London for urban swimmers. Blue Scotland offers comprehensive coverage of Scotland's wild waters, perfect for those seeking pristine locations.

Yes, many titles cater specifically to beginners. Books like Boat Buying Basics and shore guides to destinations such as The Netherlands and West Country provide essential introductory information. We also feature inspirational memoirs that show how people discovered water sports later in life, such as A Mid Life Less Ordinary.

Absolutely. Our collection includes remarkable accounts like A Mid Life Less Ordinary, which chronicles rowing the Atlantic at fifty, and 150 Years of Swimming the Channel, celebrating the world's most famous swimming challenge. These books offer both inspiration and insight into pushing human limits on water.

We feature comprehensive sailing resources including Bonnie Dahl's Superior Way for cruising Lake Superior, and Adlard Coles shore guides covering various coastal regions. A Sailor's Tales offers practical wisdom alongside storytelling, while guides like those for The Netherlands provide everything you need when stepping ashore.

Yes, Canoe and Kayak Building the Light and Easy Way offers practical construction guidance, while Bark Canoes: The Art and Obsession of Tappan Adney explores the traditional craft and artistry of canoe building. These books appeal to both practical builders and those interested in maritime heritage.