Sport & Recreation

Bob McMurray has just about seen all you can in motor sport. Right from the halcyon days when Bruce McLaren was setting up his fledgling Formula One team through to witnessing the first Kiwi to win one of the most prestigious motor-racing trophies, the Borg-Warner at the Indianapolis 500. McMurray's book is more like a conversation you'd have in the bar about 30-odd years in Formula One rather than who set the fastest time at Monaco on lap 32 in 1987 in what car, on what tyres, wearing what-coloured overalls and with what sort of l... read more

A rugby book for players at all levels and fans of all ages. First published in 1994, now completely revised and updated, including latest information on all aspects of the game: player positions and skills required, tactics needed to win and insight into how the game is played at top levels.

Covers several resorts for independent weekend breaks. This book includes chapters on different types of weekends. It also offers information detailing how to get there, where to stay, where to ski, where to eat and where to party.

Ever wanted to run along The Great Wall of China, up the Empire State Building, across the Sahara Desert or join thousands of runners in a major city road race. These running races are included in the list of 500 of the most classic running races in the world. The global sport of running has captured people's imagination since the first competitive race several thousand years ago. Hundreds of running races are held ever day and the biggest of those are watched by millions of people. Races featured range from ten second sprints to ... read more

This is the guidebook of Te Araroa Trail: The Long Pathway, a continuous trail running from Cape Reinga to Bluff, 35 years in the making, which will officially open in late 2011. The book maps the 3000-kilometre trail in 40-kilometre sections, with maps by leading map maker Roger Smith of Geographx. Author Geoff Chapple is a modern-day visionary who took the concept of a continuous trail running the length of New Zealand and turned it into a reality. Now CEO of the Trust, Chapple complements the maps with a running commentary descr... read more

The first edition of Classic New Zealand Road Rides is an invaluable guide to the sport and recreation of road riding. It includes information how to get started, such as buying a bike, setting it up, and going on your first ride. For more ambitious riders, there are sections on training and racing, including nutrition and safety.
New Zealand has seen a strong growth in road cycling since 2004 when Sarah Ulmer won Olympic Gold. Clubs and road races are booming and cycling is now referred to as 'the new golf'. The Lake Taup... read more

Mountain biking is one of the ultimate extreme sports. It really has no limits! Whether you are an experienced rider or just starting out this book will help you to find out more about the world of mountain biking. It is full of spectacular photographs, hints to improve your mountain bike skills and advice -- from planning a trip to landing a trick. 'No limits' is an action-packed series on extreme sports. The stimulating text and photographs will inspire any action sports enthusiasts.

Disasters happen quickly and without compassion, disrupting thousands of lives every year. During a disaster emergency services may not be able to respond to every call immediately, and this means you must be ready to provide your own shelter, food, first-aid, water and sanitation for at least three days. Are you ready? This is your complete guide to what to do before, during and after disaster strikes, covering all possible situations and eventualities including: what to do in specific emergencies such as an earthquake or t... read more

New Zealand is one of the last few remaining surf destinations able to offer large, uncrowded water to surfers. The scenery is also spectacular and the unique shape of the land presents many options to those wishing to take advantage of all it has to offer - one of which is that the drive from coast to coast rarely takes more than 3 hours. This guide contains 470 detailed break maps, 80 classic kiwi line-up shots, 60 area synoptic charts, detailed weather information and break information by locals. Small format.

From the author of the bestselling Lemon! comes Splat!, a funny, quirky look at some of the most ludicrously dangerous sports in the world. What kind of person risks their life for their sport? And more to the point, why? Intrepid author Tony Davis takes a leap into the unknown to find out in Splat! The Madness and Magnificence of the World's Most Dangerous Sports. Talking to top exponents of the most edgy sports on the planet Davis uncovers why anyone would: * BASE jump off a perilous mountain peak * dive 200 metres be... read more

Over 400 walks from North Cape to Stewart Island. Topographic maps with elevation profiles. Rated for fitness, difficulty, time and length.

For the many thousands who have walked or ridden the Otago Central Rail Trail it holds particular, cherished memories. Some impressions will stick for a lifetime: bouncing over bone-rattling bridges, or sailing through sheer-sided canyons of schist. Or simply barrelling along, mile after mile, with the gravel crunching beneath your tyres under endless wide blue skies. In this vivid, beautifully drawn account, author Paul Sorrell and photographer Graham Warman take you on a 150-kilometre journey across the Otago Central Rail Trail, ... read more

You can find waterfalls almost everywhere in New Zealand, ranging from the smallest mountain freshet to stunning multiple cascades 500 metres or more in height. They are the perfect destination for those wanting to experience nature, whether it be a few minutes' strolling or a half-day tramp. If you are going to take any book with you when you travel around New Zealand, take this one! It highlights a hundred of the best and most accessible waterfalls in New Zealand and includes those close to urban areas, those high in the mo... read more

In Ghost Wave, Chris Dixon dives deep into the fascinating history of Cortes Bank and the motley brotherhood of argumentative, damaged, brave and quirky margin walkers who discovered and scaled the tallest mountain in the sea. Along the way, he'll show how these pioneering wave-addicts changed our very understanding of the science of surfing, while giving sea-level credence to environmentalists' fears that the weather is indeed going haywire.Ghost Wave is the result of extensive interviews not only with these surfers and those clos... read more

The Wave is a collection of world-class surfing images from acclaimed surf photographer and writer David Sparkes. Capturing the fleeting instant of a wave, recording a particular surfing location at a precise moment and following a surfer as they try to ride their perfect wave. Dave brings together these unique experiences in a form we can all share.The Wave enables us to take an armchair ride with surfers like Stephanie Gilmore, Tom Curren, Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater; travel to the landscapes where the best waves are found; and... read more

This is the first book to cover in detail Europe's 50 greatest climbs, including detail on the actual route (with maps and profile), length, height, and compelling descriptions focussing on all the main points of interest along the route. Cycling has grown massively in popularity in recent years. The Tour de France draws huge audiences to the TV and internet coverage and all over the UK and Europe a growing number of people are taking to their bikes and rising to the challenge of Europe's most hallowed climbs. Mountain High is a bo... read more

New Zealand's North Island has a wide range of world-class mountain biking tracks and Mountain Biking North is a guide to 34 of the best of these rides. Selected by expert mountain biker and photographer Dave Mitchell, they range from straightforward and easy rides close to our urban areas, through to hard and challenging trips deep into the wilderness. Readers will be able to choose from classic rides such as the Karapoti north of Wellington, coastal rides in the Wairarapa, the 42nd Traverse in Tongariro Forest and other adventure... read more

Rugby’s race for the tag is a little more complicated but the chances are the debate will be over if and when Dan Carter wins the Rugby World Cup for the All Blacks in 2011. Ever since he burst onto the test rugby scene in New Zealand in 2003, Dan Carter has been earmarked for greatness. His exploits for Canterbury, the Crusaders and the All Blacks are the stuff of legends. He did the ‘impossible’ early on in his international career when he made the rugby nation forget about Andrew Mehrtens a first-fi... read more

The fast and easy way to perfect your bowling game Bowling is an inexpensive date, an affordable night out for the whole family, and a fun hangout activity for kids of all ages. Bowling For Dummies reveals the tips, tricks, and rules of play for this iconic American sport. While not every player can hope to bowl 300, you can improve your average and show off for friends, family, and bowling league teammates. Bowling For Dummies provides easy-to-understand instructions for improving your bowling game. The expert tips and advice take... read more