To purchase volumes from the video series call or visit your nearest Kajak Sport dealer or download an order form here.
Kajak Sport presents:
The Nigel Foster Video Series
Vol.1 Getting Started
The fundamentals of everything you need to know to get started in the exciting sport of sea kayaking.World-renowned author and instructor Nigel Foster gives you the detailed information you need including the history of kayaking, boat selection, hull design, gear, clothing and safety equipment. Whether you are a seasoned paddler or just about to purchase your first boat, this tape is packed full of information that will make you a better paddler.

Vol.2 Essential Strokes
Paddling forward, turning, moving sideways and backwards, Essential Strokes examines the quiver of techniques required to get you around in your kayak. Go beyond the essential safety procedure that you practice in case you should overturn. Learn how to rescue another paddler, and how to help in your own rescue. This volume offers a good grounding in essential skills.

Vol. 3 Directional Control
Quit fighting the effects of wind, current and waves and learn how to make your boat go exactly where you want, when you want. World-renowned author and instructor Nigel Foster gives you multiple layers of techniques, blends one with another and highlights why certain techniques work better than others depending on the conditions. “Directional Control” will teach you the secrets of paddling in a straight line or turning with ease regardless of wind direction. Regardless of your skill level, this is a must have tape which is loaded with essential information that will help you become an efficient and safe paddler.

Vol. 4 Rescues
A capsize to a kayaker may be an inconvenience but should not be a problem. “Rescues” offers both mental and technical solutions. Learn how to empty a kayak at sea, how to re-enter your own kayak from the water, and how to take control of a rescue until the swimmer is safely back in their kayak. A number of different techniques are covered with guidance as to how to decide which method is best for each situation.

Vol. 5 Forward Paddling
Keep up with your paddling friends with the minimum of effort. Learn good blade placement, efficient application of power and how to keep a straight course without wasting precious energy. What causes blade flutter and why do kayaks weathercock? What part do your feet, legs and torso play in your forward stroke, and how can you modify your stroke to take advantage of a following sea? Learn the answers and much more from someone who has fine-tuned the forward stroke through thousands of miles of expedition paddling.

Vol. 6 Rolling and bracing
If you have a reliable roll and brace, your confidence level in a kayak will rise to new levels. Nigel Foster looks at some non-intimidating ways to learn a roll, examines the essential components of different braces and a variety of practical everyday rolling techniques.

Vol. 7 Surf Basics
Launching and landing through surf can be a daunting task. Learn what causes waves, why they break in the way they do, and how to identify features on a surf beach. What should you watch for when timing your launch, or your landing? Surf Basics will help you negotiate the surf zone with understanding. This volume covers the techniques needed to begin to enjoy riding waves, and the skills needed to set off and land through the surf zone. For sea kayaks and wave-specific craft.

Vol. 8 Surf Advanced
Surf Advanced takes a look at wave-riding for the joy of wave-riding! Learn more about wave dynamics and beach profiles, point breaks and reef breaks. Nigel guides you through a repertoire of component moves before linking them into sequences to make best use of a wave. Learn how to blend cut-backs and roller-coasters, zigzags and shoulder runs to express your own surf-riding personality.

Vol. 9 Trip Planning and Practical Navigation
A lot of the enjoyment of a trip is in the planning. Pore over charts and check through tidal information, research landings and judge the effect of the forecast weather. Learn how to translate the information shown on the chart to the landscape you see in front of you, and anticipate the effect of wind and tide. With good planning you’ll not only avoid padding against the tidal steam but you’ll have a “plan B” in case conditions change unexpectedly.

Vol. 10 Journeying
Journeying is the climax of all the skills you’ve learned so far in the Nigel Foster Sea Kayaking series. It pulls together trip planning, launching through a surf zone and practical navigation on the water, with directional control and the practical application of essential skills. Join Nigel Foster and his companions on a journey that begins with loading the kayaks and culminates in a night out on a remote beach. If you’ve wondered what’s so special about expedition paddling, this should whet your appetite!


NIGEL FOSTER is one of those rare people who not only is an outstanding performer, but is also an excellent teacher. In this series he not only clearly explains the basics, but he also reveals many of the nuances that distinguish a really good sea kayaker. But one message is clear; there is no need for dogma.

Nigel explains; “The only truly wrong way to paddle is one that will cause you harm. One size does not fit all! There’s a sliding scale of effectiveness for every individual, and that takes into consideration everything from personal physique, flexibility and physical fitness to paddle length and blade shape and kayak design. We adapt our most effective paddling style to suit the wind and water conditions we find ourselves in. I think we can truly say that everybody’s most effective stroke will be slightly different.”

“I like to fine-tune every paddling movement to maximize effectiveness. To do that I have to focus on the application of my stroke, the impact on the water, the amount of energy I need to apply to achieve the required result. I experiment to maximize the movement of the kayak while minimizing the disturbance to the water, and minimizing the effort I make.

“As we are all truly different shapes and sizes, and we have a huge variety of equipment to choose from, we have to learn to process the information and fine-tune from inside, rather than to all try to fit into the same mold. In this series I’ve tried to offer options rather than definitive solutions. I offer a range of alternative blade positions rather than a single model, and a variety of equipment options. I’ve tried to explain the effect of each component of a stroke and suggest ways you can blend strokes rather than always completing full strokes. I explain why some strokes work better in certain conditions than in others. What I cover is a good grounding from which to focus on your own performance. When you understand the principles you’ll be able to continue to make significant improvements to your performance from the inside.

“This series begins with an overall view of the sport and with basic techniques and progresses through more advanced techniques in a series of easy to follow steps. I recommend you combine your use of the series with some good on-water instruction and that you review each volume to pick up on the nuances.

I wish you happy and safe paddling!”

Nigel Foster