CANOEING as a recreation made its debut nearly a hundred years ago when John MacGregor built his canoe "ROB ROY" and in her made pioneer journeys along European waterways.
His subsequent lectures and the books that came from his pen introduced the sport to the public; and the young men who followed it up and persuaded MacGregor to found The Canoe Club in 1866 became responsible for popularizing the sport in Europe and America.
As a result of this background, the early books on canoeing were all written by British or American canoeists, and both from a technical point of view and as travel books they made excellent reading.
Times have changed, and the last three decades have seen the sport make tremendous advances, particularly among non-English speaking nations in Europe.
These have been reflected in a growing literature in many languages, to which Britain has contributed a fair share as can be seen from the bibliography at the end of this book.
Some of these books have been technical treatises on canoe building; some have been guides to specific waterways; others were instruction manuals on particular aspects of the sport.
But too little attention has been paid to producing a book with a general picture of the activity for the newcomer.
This little book by my friend Noel McNaught does not pretend to be as detailed as an encyclopedia on all branches of canoeing, but it does aim to supply the interested inquirer with the answers to his questions.
It gives a general introduction, describes the necessary physical requirements, explains the choice of a suitable canoe and deals with the accessibility of various waters.
It describes and contrasts the joys of canoeing on river, sea and canal, putting in a special plea for the latter waterways so much neglected by adventure-seeking youth.
His chapter on canoe touring in Britain makes it very evident that no canoeist need leave these shores to find charm, variety and adventure in the pursuit of his hobby.
The brief survey of overseas possibilities further demonstrates that experienced paddlers should never lack new waters to conquer.
I believe this book will whet the appetite of all water-lovers who come to it, and doubtless the old hands will find themselves comparing their experiences with Noel's as they read of the rapids on the Teifi or the Tay.
It therefore gives me pleasure to write this foreword, and I hope that many will read this book and decide to join the select company of canoeists who seek their pleasures in quiet lonely places and find satisfaction in pitting their skill and courage against the forces of nature.
