Derek Hairon

British Canoe Union Level 5 Sea Kayak Coach and Director of Jersey Kayak Adventures Ltd, one of the leading specialist sit-on-top kayak outfitters in the United Kingdom.

Derek has kayaked for over forty years. He first learned to kayak around the incredible coastline of Jersey in the Channel Islands (which has some of the largest tides in the world) after his father built him a sit-on-top kayak. He has undertaken many kayak expeditions, most notably a circumnavigation of Ireland in fifty-eight days and expeditions to Alaska, Canada, as well as whitewater kayaking in Nepal. Closer to home he has paddled extensively in the Channel Islands including thirty-five mile open crossings. He has kayaked most of the best coastal spots in the UK.
In his younger days he was a member of the Jersey surf kayak team and has been active in coaching sea kayaking in Jersey. Active in other sports too, he undertook a 12,000 mile cycle tour in 1984 and also is a keen skier and walker.

In 2004 he set up Jersey Kayak Adventures to offer tours and courses to cater for the growth in this popular sport.

Hazel Irvine - Review

“Sit-on-top Kayak” is a cracking little book to help you get started out on the water.

Clearly and concisely written, with handy hints and tips, diagrams that are easy to understand and photographs which will really encourage and inspire you.

I was schooled on the waters off Jersey by the book’s author, Derek Hairon, who is an expert grade 5 kayak coach. From my experience, there are few more enthusiastic exponents of the art of kayaking than Derek. His passion for the sport and his safety conscious- approach shine through in this book.

Read, enjoy and happy paddling!

Sea Angler

Author Derek Hairon gives you the complete beginner's guide to the sit-on-top kayak. Kayaking is evolving into a new method of sea angling, and newcomers will find all the answers to their many questions in this book.

It uses colour photos and clear descriptions, and provides lots of information, such as choosing the right kayak, how to store and transport it and how to stay safe while using it.

Canoe and Kayak UK

A Sit-On-Top Kayak is an easy, cheap and fun way to get in to paddling and a decent book to help those starting out on their journey into the sport is long overdue. More and more paddlers are choosing S-O-Ts as their craft of choice every year, so there was a growing need for a book of this type. S-O-T Kayak fills the void perfectly and covers anything that a beginner, not to mention those more experienced, will want to know. From the very basics of what to wear and where to use your S-O-T to more advanced subjects such as weather, rescue techniques, paddle strokes and even kayak fishing. The information is relayed in an informative, but easy to understand manner, the usual crisp Pesda design is present and the book is illustrated with glorious full colour images through out. In our opinion it’s a cracking book and will help any would be S-O-T paddler to get more out their time on the water, anyone who owns or is planning to buy a S-O-T kayak in the very near future should get hold of a copy toot sweet!