Well there are two routes you can go down to sort out this problem and I Can help you with both of them.
1. Linux Editing
This is 100% Free and 100% Legal.
IF you haven't heard of Linux, it is the free operating system(like Windows XP, Windows Vista, Apple OS X etc.). There are many versions of linux out there and some of them are very good and are as good if not better than Windows XP etc. (Ubuntu is my favorite version of linux).
Fun fact: this site and about 80% of all websites in the world are running on Linux servers.
All the movie editing software etc. is free and available to downland.
And a Nowegan kayaker from Braindead.nu has a tutorial how to edit your videos using Linux and free software. (
link to some of their videos)
Getting Started With Linux Video Editing by Lars Georg Paulsen @ Braindead Production
There is a down side to this route, if you are not familiar with Linux already this can add to the already steep learning curve of video editing. And to be honest video editing in Linux is still behind what Adobe is doing with Adobe Premiere.
2. Windows Editing
You could use Windows Movie Maker, but thats shit and you were right not to use it. The only up side to it is that its free (ish).
Adobe Premiere Pro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Premiere_Pro
The industry standard. Its what most professionals use. If it can eb done with film it can be done using Adobe Premiere Pro. There are two huge down sides to it:
1. the cost (€ 1,027.29)
2. Its hard to learn, its very complicated. (lots of buttons and knobs etc.)
Adobe Premiere Elements
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Premiere_Elements
It is a scaled-down version of the professional-level Adobe Premiere Pro. So that means its easier to use.
But it still has its draw backs.
1. the cost (€ 100.43, still too pricey for what you get, for my wallet anyway)
2. Missing some cool features that Premiere Pro has.
Pinnacle Studio 11
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnacle_Studio
This is the software that I have used quite a bit. Its simple to get started with but has some great features, you really can knock out a video in no time using this product, theres no BS with it. All the options etc are very simple and you don't need to read a book or take a course to learn how to use it.
And its very cheap: €65.
But with all products it has some draw backs.
1. Its not as good as Adobe Premiere PRo...not even close
2. It has some software bugs, especially new versions of it. When a new version of this program comes out leave it for 12months until they have figured out all the problems with it. (version 11 seems to be stable now)
Conclusion
There are a few more options (eg. Apple’s Final Cut Express HD 3.5.)but I think that covers the main ones.
So that leaves you with a few options, some cheap, but with draw backs, some expensive but with outer drawbacks.
If cost is an issue there are plenty of 30 day trials that you can use for free and totally legally.
All in all if you want to give video editing ago I'd say go with Premiere Pro, you can use the 30 day trial or
you can use a pirated version from here.
I personally have no problem with pirating to learn how to use software, because if you do get good at it and want to do it professionally you will have to buy a legit copy then and its worth it. And lets face it who has 1K to use on software?
If you just want to bang out a video of some kayaking without huge frills, I'd say go with Pinnacle Studio, at that price you cant go wrong and it also has a 30 day free trial.
Hope that helps
Seanie