Doug Cooper – författare

Master the essential skills of sea kayaking with one of the UK’s leading coaches.Sea Kayak Handling by Doug Cooper is a clear, practical, and highly visual guide designed for beginner and intermediate paddlers who want to handle their sea kayak with confidence and precision.Drawing on decades of coaching and expedition experience, Doug presents the core techniques every paddler needs to develop control, efficiency, and balance on the water. Through step-by-step explanations and accurate sequential photographs, this book helps you build your skills progressively and safely.Inside you’ll learn:Foundation skills: posture, connectivity, power transfer, and boat feelEssential techniques: forward and reverse paddling, edging, and turningAdvanced handling: stern rudders, sideways movement, and support strokesUsing skegs and rudders for better control in varied conditionsBCU 3 and 4 Star Sea Award preparation – ideal for structured learning and assessmentWritten in a clear, concise style with an emphasis on understanding how the kayak responds, this book transforms complex movements into achievable, confidence-building skills.Sea Kayak Handling is an indispensable manual for anyone looking to refine their paddling technique — whether exploring calm coastal waters or tackling more challenging seas.

Master the art of sea kayaking in challenging conditions.Sea Kayak Rough Water Handling by Doug Cooper is an in-depth, practical guide designed for intermediate and advanced paddlers who want to develop confidence and control in rough water environments. Building on the foundation skills covered in his earlier book, Sea Kayak Handling, Doug takes readers into more dynamic, exciting, and demanding conditions.Drawing from decades of coaching and expedition experience, Doug provides clear, structured instruction supported by accurate sequential photographs and simple, concise explanations. Each chapter explores the technical, tactical, physiological, and psychological aspects of advanced sea kayaking.Inside you’ll learn how to:Paddle efficiently in high windsand challenging weatherNavigate moving waterand handle strong currentsDevelop surf and rockhopping techniquessafely and confidentlyMaster tide racesand open water crossingsPerfect your rolling and recovery skills in real conditionsRough Water Handling is recommended support material for the 4 and 5 Star (Sea) Awards, making it an invaluable companion for paddlers progressing toward leadership and advanced performance.Combining Doug’s extensive knowledge, engaging teaching style, and world-class photography, this book transforms complex manoeuvres into achievable, confidence-building techniques for all serious sea kayakers.

Discover the hidden beauty of Scotland’s northern and eastern shores by sea kayak.North & East Coasts of Scotland Sea Kayaking by Doug Cooper is an inspirational and practical guidebook that unlocks some of Scotland’s best-kept paddling secrets. Covering forty-five detailed journeys, it offers the perfect combination of adventure, safety information, and storytelling for every sea kayaker.Inside this comprehensive guide, you’ll find:45 detailed routes across the North and East Coasts, from secluded coves to dramatic cliffs.Essential trip information including launch and landing sites, tides, currents, and potential hazards.Stunning photography and maps that bring each journey to life.Expert navigation insights to help you plan your own custom adventures.While the North and East Coasts offer fewer sheltered waters than the western regions, the reward for the adventurous paddler is immense: soaring cliffs, abundant birdlife, and charming fishing villages steeped in character and history.Why You’ll Love This Book:Perfect for both experienced sea kayakers and those seeking new challenges.Serves as both a practical pilot guide and an inspirational travel companion.Written by one of the UK’s most respected sea kayaking coaches.

Discover the ultimate sea kayaking paradise—Skye and the North West Highlands of Scotland.From Ardnamurchan Point to Cape Wrath, explore one of the world’s most breathtaking coastlines by sea kayak. This essential guide by Doug Cooper covers fifty unforgettable journeys filled with stunning scenery, rich Norse and Gaelic heritage, and remarkable wildlife encounters.Fifty detailed kayaking routes – including launching and landing points, tide information, and potential hazards.Expert local insight – comprehensive coastal descriptions for safe and rewarding adventures.Vibrant maps and colour photography – visual aids that bring each paddle to life.Ideal for beginners and experts alike – whether you’re planning your first trip or your next expedition.Part of the acclaimed Pesda Press series – known for its clarity, precision, and reliability.With its mix of inspiration, adventure, and practical guidance, this guidebook is both a trusted companion and a source of wanderlust for sea kayakers around the globe.

Discover the beauty of Scotland’s coasts from a sea kayak.Scottish Sea Kayaking – 2nd Edition is a fully revised and expanded guide to the finest coastal paddling routes around Scotland. From dramatic sea cliffs and tranquil bays to the islands of the Hebrides, Orkneys, and Shetlands, author Doug Cooper shares his lifetime of experience exploring Scotland’s world-class sea kayaking destinations.62 detailed routes—including 12 new additions and selected adventures in Orkney and Shetland.Stunning colour photography showcasing Scotland’s coastline, wildlife, and landscapes.Improved maps and tidal information—essential for careful planning.Sat nav coordinates for easy access to launch and landing points.Expert insights into Scotland’s maritime scenery, history, geology, and culture.Although written primarily for kayakers, this comprehensive guide also serves as a valuable inshore pilot for sailors, anglers, windsurfers, and SUP enthusiasts.Whether you’re planning your next expedition or simply dreaming of wild coastal adventures, this book provides inspiration, practical detail, and a deep appreciation of Scotland’s spectacular seascapes.

Silver Medalist for Best West-Mountain Regional Novel 2017Winner of the 2017 International Book Award for Best Literary FictionFinalist for Best New Fiction at the Best Book AwardsFinalist for the Red City Review Best Literary Fiction AwardForty million people visit Vegas every year but most never get past the strip. What about the people who live there? What brought them there? What keeps them there?Told from the perspective of a seasoned blackjack dealer, The Investment Club tells the stories of a self-destructive, dwarf entrepreneur, a drug-addicted musical performer-turned-stripper, a retired, widowed New Jersey policeman, a bereaved, divorced female sportscaster, and a card-counting, former Catholic priest before and after their fateful meeting at the El Cortez Casino in downtown Vegas.As the five learn the greatest return comes from investing in one another, their lives stabilize and take on new, positive directions. But their love and support for each other can take them only so far before they must determine the meaning and value of their own lives.

From Memorial Day until the student workers and tourists leave in the fall, the island community of Put-in-Bay, Ohio, thrives on alcohol, drugs, sexual experimentation, and any other means of forgetting responsibilities. To Brad Shepherd—recently forced out of his job as a junior high math teacher after the overdose death of a student—it's exactly the kind of place he's looking for.Allured by the comfort and acceptance of the hedonistic atmosphere, Brad trades his academic responsibilities and sense of obligation for a bouncer's flashlight and a pursuit of the endless summer. With Cinch Stevens, his new best friend and local drug dealer, at his side, Brad becomes lost in a haze of excess and instant gratification filled with romantic conquests, late-night excursions to special island hideaways, and a growing drug habit. Not even the hope from a blossoming relationship with Astrid, a bold and radiant Norwegian waitress, nor the mentoring from a mysterious mandolin player named Caldwell is enough to pull him out of his downward spiral. But as Labor Day approaches, the grim reality of his empty quest consumes him. Brad must accept that identity cannot be fabricated, but emerges from within when one has the courage to let go.