20 March, 2007

AN INFORMATIVE book describing the best places to explore by kayak in Shetland and Orkney was launched in Birmingham on Friday.

Shetland-based author Tom Smith has co-written the fully illustrated guide with Orkney resident Chris Jex.

The book describes 25 different sea locations from each of the islands and includes maps as well as colour photographs.

It was launched at the annual Ordnance Survey Outdoor Show at the NEC arena in Birmingham, an important date for canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts.

Mr Smith said: "I had an idea for a few years that there should be a guide to kayaking in Shetland. I had envisioned a small booklet of about 60 pages.

"Then publishers Pesda Press released a book called Scottish Sea Kayaking which I thought was very good. I contacted the publishers about doing a similar book on Shetland and they were very positive, but they said they would rather do one about kayaking in the northern isles.

"They contacted Chris Jex in Orkney and we got in touch and that was how it came about."

Mr Smith started his kayaking career while doing youth work in Edinburgh and decided to take the training course to qualify as an instructor.

The 60 year old moved to Shetland in 1976 and has spent the last 31 years exploring the islands' rugged coastline.

In 2004 he set up Sea Kayak Shetland, a company that offers guided tours of picturesque locations around the isles, kayak training and the opportunity to purchase equipment.

Mr Smith is a British Canoe Union (BCU) level 3 coach and local coaching organiser for Shetland.

Tom has also taken his kayak on tours of areas as far afield as Norway, the Greek islands and Tasmania.