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Christmas gift guide: 12 sports travel books

Epic Surf Breaks of the World

by Lonely Planet
Explore the world’s most thrilling waves with Epic Surf Breaks of the World. From Namibia’s wind-swept Skeleton Bay to Java’s G-Land, discover the best place to “hang ten”, whatever your surfing ability. Accompanied by a series of stunning photographs, maps and beautiful illustrations as well as first-person stories from surf writers all across the globe, including Pulitzer Prize winner William Finnegan, this is the quintessential guide for surfers looking for their next epic break. £17.99; amazon.co.uk

Europe United: 1 football fan. 1 crazy season. 55 UEFA nations 

by Matt Walker
In June 2017, Matt said farewell to his job, surrendered his Fulham FC season ticket and set off for Georgia, the first stop on his mission. He would end his adventure eleven months later in Montenegro, having conquered the continent and captured the imagination of its sporting media. His epic journey would pose its challenges. Yet no amount of airport confusion in Iceland, unusual betting activity in Latvia, spectator bans in Albania or ropey breakfast buffets in Moldova would make Matt miss a matchday. And then there were the games themselves: showcasing the full spectrum of footballing theatre, from the truly sublime to the utterly ridiculous. This is the story of one fan on a once-in-a-lifetime experience: travelling to Europe’s unseen corners, talking with its unsung supporters, and tracing the beautiful game across the breadth of our brilliant, bizarre continent. £8.99; amazon.co.uk

Ski A to Z 

by Kimberley Kay
Ski A to Z is a fun, illustrated introduction to skiing. It demystifies the world of skiing, making it more accessible. This book explains what it can take years to discover, and many things that no one mentions to beginner skiers. Ski A to Z has valuable information and advice that can empower the reader to be able to enjoy the experience of skiing. This book will help anyone prepare for mountain experiences as it’s packed with useful tips and insights. Written and illustrated in the classic style of A-Z books, this fun and informative introduction to skiing makes for an ideal gift for anyone – at any age – who is interested in skiing. Kimberley Kay is an avid skier and former ski racer. The book is available to pre-order now ahead of release on 3 December. From £10.98; amazon.co.uk

Thirty Years in a White Haze 

by Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur 
Thirty Years in a White Haze chronicles Egan’s trials, successes, and losses, as well as the technological boom and subsequent growth of the outdoor media industry. The book maps time and space, unravelling history as Egan ties together his own family’s story, the ever-present mortality of his namesake, his grandfather’s involvement in desegregating Boston’s schools, and the rise of extreme skiing and technology into the new millennium. An ode to a life filled with curiosity, growth, freedom, and its costs, Egan and Eric Wilbur’s new book promises a heavy dose of humour, suspense, thrill, and documentary, as 30 years of haze dissipates to clarity. £29.88; amazon.co.uk

One Man and His Bike: A Life-Changing Journey All the Way Around the Coast of Britain 

by Mike Carter
Needing a change, Mike Carter did just that. Following the Thames to the sea he embarked on an epic 5,000 mile ride around the entire British coastline – the equivalent of London to Calcutta. He encountered drunken priests, drag queens and gnome sanctuaries. He met fellow travellers and people building for a different type of future. He also found a spirit of unbelievable kindness and generosity that convinced him that Britain is anything but broken. This is the inspiring and very funny tale of the five months Mike spent cycling the byways of the nation. £9.99; amazon.co.uk

Blue Star Adventure: A Circumnavigation of Britain 

by Mike Goodwin and Roger Colmer
A true story about two friends who buy a yacht to sail around Great Britain, raising funds for charity as they go. Friends and contacts from around the world join them as crew. They have to deal with many challenges along the way – wild seas, rocks, whirlpools, fog, collision risks and illness. The book describes what happened when all of these challenges were encountered. It also describes how the crew found themselves among fascinating historic sites, incredible wildlife and amazing local people. £14.99; amazon.co.uk

Pennine Bridleway: From Derbyshire through the Yorkshire Dales to Cumbria 

by Hannah Collingridge
Researched, ridden and written by mountain biking expert and freelance writer Hannah Collingridge, this guidebook features clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, details of distance, ascent and difficulty gradings, bikepacking hints and tips and local knowledge. There is also a comprehensive Introduction and a detailed Appendix, and a link to downloadable GPX files. £11.35; amazon.co.uk

Wild Swimming France (second edition)

by Daniel Start
The best-selling Wild Swimming series returns to France for an expanded guide, including new coverage of Central and Northern France. One-thousand locations, including 550 new locations in Normandy, Ile, Champagne, Charente, Burgundy, Centre, Limousin, Auvergne and Aquitaine. Combining dazzling photos, engaging writing and all the practical information you’ll need, from maps, directions, grid references and walk-in times to recommendations for canoe trips, bike rides, riverside campsites and lakeshore restaurants. £14.31; amazon.co.uk

Surf Travel the Complete Guide

by Roger Sharp
Surf Travel is an illustrated guide to the planet’s most thrilling surf destinations. From classic surf destinations like Hawaii to less well known areas like Madagascar, the best breaks in each region are described by a team of experienced travelers with all the inside info. Packed with stunning photos, practical advice and up-to-date information, Surf Travel is the essential travel guide for surfers of all ages and abilities. £16.15; amazon.co.uk 

Paddling Britain: 50 Best Places to Explore by SUP, Kayak & Canoe 

by Lizzie Carr/Bradt Travel Guides 
This new, unique guide from Bradt is the definitive guide to stand-up paddleboarding across British coastlines and inland waterways. Written by Lizzie Carr, aka Lizzie Outside, Britain’s best known paddleboarder, it reveals the 50 best places to go paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing in Britain, from Devon and Cornwall to Norfolk, Cumbria and the Cairngorms. It also provides the full run-down on everything you need to know for successful and enjoyable stand-up paddleboarding, from safety tips to kit, weather watching to paddling responsibly. £10.79; amazon.co.uk

Fibber in the Heat 

by Miles Jupp
Fanatical about cricket since he was a boy, Miles Jupp would do anything to see his heroes play. But perhaps deciding to bluff his way into the press corps during England’s Test series in India wasn’t his best idea. By claiming to be the cricket correspondent for BBC Scotland and getting a job with the (Welsh) Western Mail, Miles lands the press pass that will surely be the ticket to his dreams. Soon, he finds himself in cricket heaven – drinking with David Gower and Beefy, sharing bar room banter with Nasser Hussain and swapping diarrhoea stories with the Test Match Special team. But struggling in the heat under the burden of his own fibs, reality soon catches up with Miles as he bumbles from one disaster to the next. A joyous, charming, yet cautionary tale, Fibber in the Heat is for anyone who’s ever dreamt about doing nothing but watching cricket all day long. £10.55; amazon.co.uk

The Longboard Travel Guide 

by Sam Bleakley
The Longboard Travel Guide is the first surf guidebook written specifically for longboarders. Loaded with mouth-watering lineup photos, the book describes 100 of the best longboard waves in the world and offers insider tips on how to ride them. From the Maldives to Australia s Gold Coast, from Costa Rica to Fiji, from Samoa to Sri Lanka, all the classic destinations are here. A smorgasbord of less-well known areas is also included for adventurous surfers who thirst for uncrowded waves. £13.85; amazon.co.uk

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Editor’s note
Information and prices subject to change and correct at the time of publishing. Sports Tourism Media works with affiliate partners such as Amazon.co.uk. All details provided by affiliate partners.

 

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