Sea Kayaking on the Mendocino Coast

September is a great month for sea kayaking on California's Mendocino Coast.  Liquid Fusion Kayaking has had quite a busy September.  We run sea kayak adventures year round but September typically has the best ocean and weather conditions.

Calm conditions for sea kayaking in Mendocino's sea caves.  Photo by Cate Hawthorne

We kicked off September into the Sea with our 5 day Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Class.  In this 5 day course, we had students go from intrepid ocean paddlers to playing in ocean rock gardens and exploring Mendocino's sea caves.

A new paddler discovers the thrills of rock gardening on the Mendocino Coast.  Photo by Cate Hawthorne

The second weekend of September was LFK's BCU 3 Star Sea Kayak Training and Assessment.

BCU 3 Star Sea candidates demonstrate landing in 1 meter surf. Photo by Jeff Laxier

After a busy summer and heading into a busy fall, we took a few days off to sea kayak into the Lost Coast.  Check out my blog - Lost Coast Sea Kayak Trip 2016.

Jeff Laxier paddling into California's Lost Coast.  Photo by Cate Hawthorne

Just back from the Lost Coast, we rallied for Coastal Cleanup Day.  This was our 8th year hosting an on-water cleanup of Fort Bragg's Noyo River and Harbor Area.  Despite our small number of participants, we brought in a big haul.  See and read about our BIG HAUL.

Jeff Laxier towing the garbage kayak in Noyo Harbor. Photo by Cate Hawthorne

September continued with sea kayak instruction for the Bay Area Sea Kayakers during their annual Mendo Madness Trip.  We had a gorgeous sunny day and perfect conditions for The Art of the Pour-Over - a sea kayak rock gardening play class.

Laurie getting her timing down to ride a pour-over.  Photo by Cate Hawthorne

We wrapped up September's sea kayak instruction with a custom Whitewater of the Sea Adventure for some friends of the Tsunami Rangers.  Susan, Patty, and Melinda had a blast with Jeff and are looking forward to using their new skills to paddle with Tsunami Ranger significant others and friends soon.

Patty builds her confidence in dynamic waters.  Photo by Jeff Laxier

Our September wrap up has us preparing for Alder Creek's BCU Week and Lumpy Waters.

Surf zone class at Lumpy Waters in Pacific City, Oregon.  Photo by Cate Hawthorne

After that we dust off the short boats for surf kayaking, whitewater river kayaking, and whitewater ocean rock gardening.

Cate Hawthorne kayak surfing on the Mendocino Coast.  Photo by Jeff Laxier

Planning is under way for 2017.  If you would like to come paddle with us in 2017 or have an event that you would like for us to attend or host, please let us know.

Noyo River Clean up

For 8 years, Jeff and I have hosted an on water cleanup of the Noyo River and Harbor as part of California Coastal Cleanup Day.  Usually we have a dozen or so paddlers and rowers.  This year, we had 5.  Despite the small number of participants, we had a huge haul and a fun day.

Jeff Laxier tows a recreational kayak full of garbage picked up in Noyo Harbor.  Photo by Cate Hawthorne

Part of our large haul was this floating foam barge.  Each year it keeps breaking up and we have managed to wrangle parts of it out of the water and into the dumpster.  This year, rowers Jim Blanton and Stan Halvorsen and myself went for the whole barge.  Jim and Stan towed as I pushed from behind to get the barge to the ramp to get it off the water.  This was extremely important as the styrofoam is in a serious state of decay.  We picked up hundreds of bits of it on the beach under the Noyo Bridge.  If we would have left it in the river for another year, it would have broken up further and puts thousands of pieces out there.

Traditional Small Craft rowers Stan and Jim towing a barge of trash. Photo by Cate Hawthorne

Styrofoam from the decaying barge. Photo by Jeff Laxier

We didn't get all the foam and trash under the Noyo Bridge. We are planning to head over there this fall to get it better picked up for fall.  If you are interested in joining us, let us know.  We would love to have some company.

The styrofoam barge about to be hauled out of the river. Photo by Cate Hawthorne

If you didn't make our cleanup this year, mark your calendar for the 3rd Saturday of September in 2017.  We will be back at it on the Noyo River.