After day sailing, the next step for the adventurous yachtsman or motorboater is their first open sea crossing, and for many that invariably entails crossing the English Channel. This invaluable guide walks the first timer through their first Channel crossing step by step, tackling all the aspects that have to be taken into account before embarking, as well as managing on the trip, in the order in which they will be encountered. The trip is eminently achievable given good planning, reasonably competent crew and a working knowledge of navigation, and this essential handbook shows how to apply knowledge and skills to crossing the Channel in a safe and enjoyable way - for all concerned. Aspects covered include: - Preplanning: navigation, tides, weather, timing, course setting, bolt holes, collision regs, boat preparations, etc - Provisioning for all conditions - Weather on the day - Crew briefing (safety, watches, etc) - Grab bag, flares, etc Packed with instructional photos, facts and advice, this handholding book is perfect for anyone thinking of attempting a Channel crossing, whether by sail or power. Encouraging, engaging and practical, by covering each stage in precisely the amount of detail required for the first-timer, it is like having an instructor or mentor on board.

*Now a Major Film* On the night of 24 August 1875 Matthew Webb, a 27-year-old British Navy captain, launched himself into the English Channel at Dover. Twenty-one hours and 45 minutes later he became the first man to swim the English Channel. In this acclaimed biography, Kathy Watson shows how Captain Webb was instrumental in bringing the sport of swimming into the modern era. It is also a study of the Victorian drive to push back the boundaries of endurance. In THE CROSSING, Watson uses this great British eccentric's extraordinary life as a springboard to explore themes of obsession and failure and the emerging force of the media, and swimming's place in our psyche.

"A marvelous addition to the literature of inspirational sports stories." - Booklist (Starred Review) "This remarkable and inspiring story shines." - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) "Crossing the Line will not just leave you with hope, but also ideas on how to make that hope transferable” - New York Times bestselling author Wes Moore An inspiring memoir of defying the odds from Kareem Rosser, captain of the first all-black squad to win the National Interscholastic Polo championship. Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Kareem thought he and his siblings would always be stuck in “The Bottom”, a community and neighborhood devastated by poverty and violence. Riding their bicycles through Philly’s Fairmount Park, Kareem’s brothers discover a barn full of horses. Noticing the brothers’ fascination with her misfit animals, Lezlie Hiner, founder of The Work to Ride stables, offers them their escape: an after school job in exchange for riding lessons. What starts as an accidental discovery turns into a love for horseback riding that leads the Rossers to discovering their passion for polo. Pursuing the sport with determination and discipline, Kareem earns his place among the typically exclusive players in college, becoming part of the first all-Black national interscholastic polo championship team—all while struggling to keep his family together. Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever is the story of bonds of brotherhood, family loyalty, the transformative connection between man and horse, and forging a better future that comes from overcoming impossible odds.

After day sailing, the next step for the adventurous yachtsman or motorboater is their first open sea crossing, and for many that invariably entails crossing the English Channel. This invaluable guide walks the first timer through their first Channel crossing step by step, tackling all the aspects that have to be taken into account before embarking, as well as managing on the trip, in the order in which they will be encountered. The trip is eminently achievable given good planning, reasonably competent crew and a working knowledge of navigation, and this essential handbook shows how to apply knowledge and skills to crossing the Channel in a safe and enjoyable way - for all concerned. Aspects covered include: - Preplanning: navigation, tides, weather, timing, course setting, bolt holes, collision regs, boat preparations, etc - Provisioning for all conditions - Weather on the day - Crew briefing (safety, watches, etc) - Grab bag, flares, etc Packed with instructional photos, facts and advice, this handholding book is perfect for anyone thinking of attempting a Channel crossing, whether by sail or power. Encouraging, engaging and practical, by covering each stage in precisely the amount of detail required for the first-timer, it is like having an instructor or mentor on board.

The Reeds VHF Handbook is an accessible, user friendly but comprehensive guide to marine VHF radio that helps users quickly get up to speed with all the functions on their equipment. Straightforward explanations and tips describe the leisure VHF DSC radio system in detail and its place within GMDSS. This brand new book incorporates all the information required to pass the Short Range Certificate, which is compulsory for anyone using a VHF DSC radio, and forms part of the process of obtaining the Day Skipper qualification. The book covers radio procedure, channel allocation, VHF radio theory and more, along with a full explanation of GMDSS, including details on EPIRBs, SARTs and Navtex. The Reeds VHF Handbook is an essential onboard reference, and set to become the standard work on the subject.

THE PERFECT MILE meet SWIMMING TO ANTARCTICA in this compelling tale of how nineteen-year-old Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel.

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, this stunningly illustrated book depicts Louis Bleriot's historic first cross-Channel flight.