Special Holiday Kayaking Gift Certificates

Share a Mendocino Coast Kayaking Adventure with your friends and family this holiday season.

If you are looking for stocking stuffers or a special gift, consider a Liquid Fusion Kayaking Gift Certificate.  We are offering holiday specials to help you save money and to share the fun and adventure of kayaking.

How about a dry and mild birding and wildlife watching kayak tour?  Our Sunset Bird Paddle and Noyo Meander Tours are perfect for paddlers looking for a quiet wildlife watching tour on the gentle waters of the Noyo River Estuary.  This is a great trip for first timers as well as families.

Holiday Special - 2 for $90 (regularly $120)

Are you shopping for the adventure seeker?  Then our wet and wild Whitewater of the Sea Adventures will thrill those who like to play hard.

Whitewater of the Sea for 2 - $175 (regularly $200)

Have a friend who is already a paddler?  A gift certificate for a private lesson with Liquid Fusion Kayaking will give them the opportunity to get customized 1:1 instruction with us.  They can choose the skills that they want to work on - sea, river, whitewater, or surf kayaking and we will help them build their skills to have more fun on the water.

Customized Kayak Lessons with Liquid Fusion Kayaking

Our favorite special is our Learn to Kayak Special.  This is a half price gift certificate for our full day Essential Kayak Skills Class.  We love teaching this class and seeing students learn the essential skills for safely and efficiency paddling a kayak.  It is the first step in taking them from being beginners to being competent paddlers.

Each gift certificate is custom made by Jeff.  He will email it to you to print out or print and mail it to you or the recipient.  If you are looking for something extra special or unique, give us a call and let's create an extra special adventure.

Custom sea kayak tour on the Mendocino Coast.

Rock Garden Kayak Classes in Trinidad

Liquid Fusion Kayaking's Jeff and Cate have been invited by local paddlers to teach kayak rock garden classes in the Trinidad area December 13 and 14, 2015.  Classes offered are for intermediate to advanced intermediate level paddlers who have rock garden experience and a reliable roll.  Beginning paddlers can contact us about scheduling another class or private lesson.

December 13 - Whitewater of the Sea  - Experience the exhilaration and pure fun of playing in a whitewater kayak in the rock gardens of the Trinidad area.

Play, play, play in the whitewater features of the ocean.  In this course, we will primarily be focusing on techniques for play - finding features and working on water reading, finesse, and timing as we play, play, play . . .  Let us help you to read the water better, move your boat more efficiently, work with the water, and maybe even get a creative with your moves.  Paddlers taking this course need to have taken a previous rock garden class.  A reliable roll in dynamic waters is highly recommended.

To sign up - contact Jeff or Cate at Liquid Fusion Kayaking (707) 962-1623.  Space is limited to 6 students so sign up early to guarantee your spot.  The whitewater of the sea class is $110/person.

Whitewater kayaks that we recommend for this adventure are river runners 8 feet or longer.  The Jackson Zen, Rogue, and Karma RG are 3 of our personal favorites.  If you have questions about the suitability of a boat for our class, please contact us.  If you don't have a whitewater kayak, contact Adventure's Edge to arrange for a demo.

December 14 - Sea Kayak Rock Garden Class

Paddle and play in ocean rock gardens in your sea kayak.  Jeff and Cate have developed a systematic approach that builds your skills and confidence for rock garden paddling.  Instruction, games and drills will work on both personal and team skills specific to rock gardens.  Personal skill development will include boat control, launching and landing, positioning, water reading, and self rescue.  Team skills of awareness, buddy rescues, and paddling as a group are integrated throughout the course.

This full day course is $110/person.  This course is designed for intermediate and advanced intermediate paddlers with previous rock garden experience and a reliable roll.  Plastic sea kayaks are recommended.  Please contact Cate or Jeff at Liquid Fusion Kayaking with other questions about the course and to sign up.  Space is limited to 6 students so signing up early is recommended.

We are looking forward to teaching in the Trinidad area and working with the awesome paddling community there - Explore North Coast.  It will be a nice warm-up for the Storm Gathering USA in March 2015.

Whitewater n Surf Safari

Mendocino Whitewater, Rock Garden and Surf Kayak Safari

 

Bring your whitewater kayak or rent one of ours for 3 days of Mendocino Whitewater, Rock Gardening, and Surf Kayaking.

Each day's adventure will be based on conditions. We may be on a local whitewater river, surfing a Mendocino surf break, or rock gardening along the coast.

Previous whitewater kayak experience and training is necessary.

January 2-4, 2015 and February 14-16, 2015  (if these dates don't work for you, contact us about scheduling a custom whitewater n surf safari)

$300 for 3 days of short boat fun!!!

Kayak and wetsuit rentals are available.

Space is limited so sign up early.

Please contact us for prerequisites and to sign up. (707) 962-1623.

 

Beyond the Basics - A Mendocino Sea Kayak Training

3 day sea kayak training and play in the coastal waters of the Mendocino Coast.

January 17-19, 2015

 The Mendocino Coast is a paddler's paradise with quiet estuaries, sheltered bays, rock gardens, sea caves, and surf zones.  Located 3 hours north of San Francisco, the Mendocino Coast embodies the best of Coastal Northern California - a rugged coastline, breath-taking beaches, towering redwood forests, quaint towns, and a slow pace of life.  January is a great time to visit the Mendocino Coast as the Gray Whales are migrating, and it is wild crab and mushroom season.

Beyond the Basics is for sea kayakers who want to improve their sea kayak skills in a world class paddling destination under the guidance of expert coaches.  

Instruction will include an intensive focus on the skills of sea kayak seaman/womanship including efficiency of strokes, edge control and bracing, rescue skills, equipment and its use, basic navigation and trip planning, being a competent member of a paddling group.  Skill instruction will occur in sheltered waters and progress into more dynamic waters including ocean swells and rock gardens to develop a solid foundation of skills and paddler confidence.  (more in curriculum below)

Evenings we will gather for skills/video/photo review of the day and other entertainment.

Prerequisites:  Paddlers should have had basic sea kayak training through a club or outfitter including strokes, self and buddy rescues, and be able to paddle at a 2.5-3kt pace.

Logistics :  $350/person includes 3 days of instruction and 2 evenings of video/photo review and other entertainment

Lodging in a vacation rental apartment is available Saturday-Monday morning - $100/person or participants may arrange for their own lodging.

Sea kayak rentals are available - $25/day

Number of students is 3-6. 

Instructors will be Jeff Laxier, and Cate Hawthorne

To sign-up call (707) 962-1623.  Reservations require a 50% deposit at the time of registration.  The balance is due by December 15.  Cancellations made by December 15 will receive a refund minus a $25 office fee.  Cancellations after December 15 will receive a refund minus a $50 office fee if we can fill your spot.

Curriculum:
Boat Handling - refining paddler's skills to move efficiently and effectively in both sheltered and dynamic waters.  Skills will include strokes as well as edge control.

Safety and Rescue - refining bracing, self and team rescues, and towing techniques to be effective in both sheltered and dynamic waters

Sea Kayak Rock Gardening and Journeying - boat control and maneuvering, reading the water, recognizing safe zones and hazards, safety and rescue techniques, environmental awareness, launching and landing techniques, strategies for play, playing :)

Sea Kayak Coastal Journeying - planning and forecasting, basic navigation, equipment for the sea and its uses (marine radios and other signaling devices, towlines and tow systems, first aid and safety kit).

Teamwork - theory and application of skills for paddling as a team.

*Surfzone - students interested in surfzone training can add a 1 or 2 day surfzone class January 20 and/or 21, 2015.

*** If you are not sure where your skills are or if you have the skills for this class, contact us about scheduling a private coaching session.

*** If your skills are at a BCU 3 Star level or higher, you should consider attending our Onto the Sea Training January 24-26.

*** If rock gardens, whitewater, and surf kayaking are your interest, check out our Holiday Whitewater and Surf Safari's January 2-4, 2015 and February 14-16, 2015.

Onto the Sea - A Mendocino Sea Kayak Skills Training

3 days of sea kayak training and play in the rock gardens, surf, and waters of the Mendocino Coast.

January 24-26, 2015

The Mendocino Coast is a paddler's paradise with rock gardens, sea caves, and surf zones.  Located 3 hours north of San Francisco, the Mendocino Coast embodies the best of Coastal Northern California - a rugged coastline, breath-taking beaches, towering redwood forests, quaint towns, and a slow pace of life.  January is a great time to visit the Mendocino Coast as the Gray Whales are migrating, and it is wild mushroom season.

Onto the Sea is for intermediate level sea kayakers who want to improve their sea kayak skills in a world class paddling destination under the guidance of expert coaches. 

Instruction will include an intensive focus on surf zones and rock gardens including skills for rock gardens, surf zones, safety and rescue, planning, and touring,  (see more in the curriculum description below).

Evenings we will gather for skills/video/photo review of the day and other entertainment.

Prerequisite:  Paddlers should be intermediate sea kayakers with a BCU 3* Sea Award or equivalent. ***

Logistics :  $350/person includes 3 days of instruction and 2 evenings of video/photo review and other entertainment

Lodging in a vacation rental apartment is available Saturday-Monday morning - $100/person or participants may arrange for their own lodging.

Sea kayak rentals are available - $25/day

Number of students is 3-6. 

Instructors will be Jeff Laxier, and Cate Hawthorne

For those interested in more than a 3 day adventure, private coaching sessions are available before and after On to the Sea.

To sign-up call (707) 962-1623.  Reservations require a 50% deposit at the time of registration.  The balance is due by December 15.  Cancellations made by December 15 will receive a refund minus a $25 office fee.  Cancellations after December 15 will receive a refund minus a $50 office fee if we can fill your spot.

Curriculum:

Sea Kayak Rock Gardening - boat control and maneuvering, reading the water, recognizing safe zones and hazards, safety and rescue techniques, environmental awareness, strategies for play, playing :)

Sea Kayaks in the Surf - launching and landing with control, reading the water, timing, safety/rescue and leadership/group management specific to the surf zone, rolling in the surf, surfing :)

Sea Kayak Coastal Tour with Rock Garden Exploration and Play - a day's journey of exploration and play.  We will plan a coastal journey and seek out play spots - pour-overs, surge channels, and surf spots.  Coaches will individualize instruction to help students perfect their timing and hone in their play skills.

Planning and Forecasting - theory and applied practice as to how tides and conditions pertain to rock gardens and surf along with practical navigation.

Leadership/Teamwork - theory and application of skills for paddling as a team.

Safety and Rescue - specific skills for dynamic waters including prevention, self and team rescues, towing, 

Boat Handling - refining paddler's skills to move efficiently and effectively in dynamic waters.

***  For those without a BCU 3* Award, check out our Beyond the Basics Sea Kayak Skills Training January 17-19, 2015.

*** For those who want a whitewater and surf kayak play weekend, check out our Holiday Whitewater and Surf Safari - January 2-4, 2015 and February 14-16, 2015.

Kayak Coaching

Are you ready to take your paddling skills to the next level?  If so, give us a ring to set up a private lesson - you get personalized 1-1 coaching toward your paddling goals and our special fall/winter rates.

Both Jeff and I enjoy teaching classes but look forward to fall and winter when we get a chance to do more individualized coaching.  Of course we like the variety of skills and locations that we get to use in the fall and winter, but mostly we enjoy seeing our students improving their skills and making progress toward their paddling goals.

So what do you want to work on?

Learning to roll or improving you roll in the comfort of our local pool

or rolling in dynamic water

Surfing

Strokes and safety

Customized Tour- Let us share a magical journey - kayaking in the rock gardens and sea caves of the Mendocino Coast

**Special Winter Private Lesson Rates (November 2014-March 2015) -

Full Day Private Lesson $275/person

Full Day Private Lesson for 2  $150/person

**Regular rates apply to trips off the Mendocino Coast.

Give us a call and let's get  your paddling skills on track (707) 962-1623.

Winter is Coming?

The Mendocino Coast seems to be in a bit of a storm pattern.  Rain and large ocean swells make us think that winter is coming but warm temperatures make it feel more like we are in the tropics.

Of course you know that we love rain (and California desperately needs it).  Rain makes our wild mushrooms grow and our rivers flow.  The small storms that we have been getting have been enough to trigger our wild mushrooms, but it will take a bit more to get our Mendocino Coast Rivers running.

To the north of us, whitewater boaters are enjoying runs on the Smith and Trinity Rivers (quick Jeff - let's clear the schedule and head north).

Large ocean swells can be a blessing and a curse in the kayak business.  Personally we love them!!!  We love going out to the headlands and witnessing the power and beauty of our wild Pacific Coast.  

Noyo Harbor entrance during a large Pacific Swell.

The Mendocino Coast also has some awesome surf breaks that take a larger swell to work.  Some are friendly to teaching so if you are interested in kayak surf lessons, give us ring.  Whether you are looking to get started, get a tune-up on the the basics, or are ready for more dynamic maneuvers on a wave or are training for a surf competition like Davenport or Santa Cruz, we can build on your skills. 

For the Fall/Winter 2014, we are offering a special on private lessons.  This is a great opportunity for you to get completely customized and personalized instruction.  Here's a link to our private lesson special.  For those that are doing their holiday shopping, they also make great gift certificates.

Planning for 2015 is underway . . . Please contact us if you have any ideas for classes or events.

Used Kayaks and Equipment for Sale

We are cleaning out our gear shed and kayak rack and selling a bunch of used kayaks and equipment.

We have sea kayaks, whitewater river kayaks, surf kayaks, and recreational kayaks for sale as well as a variety of paddles, spray decks, wetsuits, and other paddling apparel as well.

Here's a link to our online yard sale.  Check it out and let us know if you have any questions.  CA sales tax 7.625% is applicable to all items.

Some of our featured kayaks for sale include:
2012 Perception Acadia II - Tandem Recreational Kayaks - $300 (3 available)

Valley Avocet Sea Kayak - 2000 and 2008 models available for sale $600-$800

Dagger RPM Whitewater Kayak - Very Good Condition $300

Liquid Logic Trigger Whitewater Kayak - Good Condition $200

Mini Mako Surf Kayak - Good Condition $200

Top quality paddles for sale including this Werner Stikine Carbon Fiber Whitewater Paddle - Great Rock Gardening Paddle! $225

Helmets for sale including this Headtrip Carbon Helmet - new w/out tags $60

Spray Skirts for sale - we have a bunch of spray decks in different sizes and styles in very good condition - Snapdragon, Bomber, Kokatat, Seals, Headwaters - check out the link and call us for more info.

Kayak paddles for sale - tons of assorted paddles for sea, whitewater, surf, and recreational kayaking from Werner, Aquabound, Saltwood, and Lendal.  Prices from $25-$225

Kayaking and diving wetsuits for sale - assorted styles, sizes, conditions and colors - let us know your size and what you are looking for and let's see what we have

Looking for something else, check out our online sale link and give us a call.

Mendo Madness 2014

The Bay Area Sea Kayaker's annual Mendocino Madness Weekend is coming.  For those planning to come to the Mendocino Coast this fall, we thought we would pass along some local info -

Earth is moving in both Fort Bragg and Mendocino - Glass Beach is getting a visitor center and coastal trail.  Please note that the regular parking area and path to Glass Beach is closed.  Big River Haul Road is getting new culverts.  The trail is closed to the public; however, one can still paddle on Big River.  The Noyo Harbor Boat Basin's new dock system is nearing completion.

North Coast Brewery has brought back their pub menu and is now open 7 days a week.  Bar opens at 2 and restaurant at 4.  They also have jazz on Saturday nights.  For those interested in brews, on Saturday September 27, there is a  Beer Bison Bluegrass Festival in Fort Bragg.

If you are kayaking on the Noyo River, you might want to stop by the Dolphin Isle Deli.  They have homemade soups and daily specials for both breakfast and lunch (and of course have a tasty beer selection and locally roasted Thanksgiving Coffee).

Did you forget something or need some fresh goods - 
Get fresh goods at Mendocino County Farmer's Markets.  The Fort Bragg Farmer's Market is Wednesday afternoons from 3 to 6pm.  Mendocino's farmer's market is Friday from noon to 2pm.  The Outdoor Store on main street in Fort Bragg carries sporks and other camping and outdoor essentials.  Subsurface Progression on Highway 1 south of Fort Bragg carries a variety of kayaking, fishing, and diving equipment.  If you forgot your spraydeck or need another one, Liquid Fusion Kayaking has a variety of skirts in addition to paddles and kayaks in our annual used gear sale.  Here's a link to our online yard sale of goods.

Of course if you are looking to improve your kayaking skills, Liquid Fusion Kayaking are the local paddling professionals.  Liquid Fusion Kayaking's classes are taught by Jeff Laxier and Cate Hawthorne who are both certified whitewater and sea kayak instructors.  We teach sea, whitewater river, and surf kayaking in our home waters of Mendocino County and are guest instructors at symposiums including Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium and Lumpy Waters.  We love teaching rock gardening because it is Liquid Fusion Kayaking - fusing the elements of sea, whitewater, and surf kayaking into FUN!!!


Saturday September 27 - Rock Garden Class - build confidence and skills in the rock gardens with our systematic approach.  From specific strokes in the rocks to water reading, positioning, and play this is a class that will accelerate your comfort and skills in dynamic waters.  This is full day class held from 9am to 4pm. $110/person.  Here is a link with more information.

Sunday September 28 Whitewater of the Sea - rock gardening in a whitewater kayak - Come play with us and learn the whitewater and surf specific skills for rock gardening in a "short boat."  On this adventure, we will share some of our favorite play spots and tips for maximizing the performance and fun of whitewater kayaks in rock gardens.  This lesson/tour will have paddlers learning and applying concepts and skills for boat control specific to whitewater kayaks as well as general skills like water reading, timing, etiquette, and safety/rescue.  All skill levels will enjoy and benefit from this class (we have had class V boaters and athletic non-paddlers have a blast in the same class).  This class will go from 10am to 2pm and is $70/person.  Here's a link for more information.

Call us for more information and/or to reserve a space. (707) 962-1623  (Liquid Fusion Kayaking offers kayak rentals for LFK classes only)

We look forward to seeing everyone so please drive and paddle safely.