If you thought paddling holidays were all about rolled-up trouser legs and kiss-me-quick hats, think again. There's plenty of rock in this book, but it comes in canyons, not sticks. Welcome to the world of rafts and kayaks. Come on in - the water's lovely.

And whatever the picture on the cover suggests, it's not always white. Sure, there's an "extreme" side to paddle sports, but alongside all this rushing adrenalin there runs a gentler current. This guide is as much about exploring the Big Country (the country in question being North America) as making a bigger splash. There's a section on canoe touring, and detailed information on a score of locations, so you can plan an adventure holiday and avoid finding yourself up Proverbial Creek without a paddle.