Kayaking School is IN!!!

School may be out for the summer but Kayaking School is IN!!!  And it is way more FUN!!! 

Why kayaking classes?  Improving your kayaking skills will increase the possibilities for where you can paddle and will make your paddling more efficient and effective so that you can play longer/harder.  Are you ready to have more fun kayaking and become a better paddler? If yes, then a journey to the Mendocino Coast is in order.  

The Mendocino Coast is a paddler's paradise with quiet estuaries, magical sea caves, and fun 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.  Liquid Fusion Kayaking's Cate and Jeff are certified whitewater and sea kayak instructors who live, play, train, teach, and guide in this paddling paradise.  Their knowledge extends way beyond the usual kayakers hang-outs and encompasses the ecology and natural history of the Mendocino Coast.

Here's a summary of Liquid Fusion Kayaking's summer classes.    If you don't see class that meets your needs, call or email us to set up a private lesson or custom class for you (or you and your paddling pals).

All Skill Levels:

Whitewater of the Sea - Rock Gardening in whitewater kayaks is a blast!!!  If you want to kayak and play in the ocean, then this is the trip for you.  First timers through experienced kayakers have a blast on this trip where we kayak and play in the whitewater features of the ocean - riding pour-overs, surfing waves, and playing in sea caves.

Beginning and Intermediate Paddlers:

Essential Kayak Skills is the class that will get you the basics of kayak strokes, efficiency, and safety.  This is a great first class for those that want to learn to effectively use body, boat and blade as well as what to do when you or your friend capsizes their kayak.

Rock Gardening Class - Learn kayak skills to kayak and play in the rock gardens and sea caves of the Mendocino Coast.  Jeff and Cate have developed a systematic approach that will have you paddling confidently and comfortably in and around rock gardens and sea caves.  This class emphasizes personal skills and skills for paddling as part of a group.

Surfzone FUNdamentals is 2 days of playing and learning kayaking skills for control in the surf zone.  Once you learn that you can have control of your kayak in the surf zone then surf zones become fun zones for playing and even surfing.

Intermediate Sea Kayakers:

Performance Sea Kayaking is 3 days of focused sea kayak training.  Have fun perfecting your boat control and rescue skills as we paddle in and out of sea caves and explore rock gardens.

Intermediate/Advanced Paddlers:

Precision Rock Gardening is for the intermediate to advanced paddler looking to improve their skills in paddling rock gardens.  We will work on timing, specific strokes for rock gardening, running features with finesse and style, scouting, safety, rescue, and working together as a team.

JUST for FUN - 

Mendocino Waves n Caves Kayaking Weekend - Want to experience the best that the Mendocino Coast has to offer?  Join us Labor Day Weekend.  On the water, we will play in the rock gardens and sea caves of the Mendocino Coast.  We will share some of our favorite spots with you as well as guide and coach you on your rock gardening skills.  Off the water, enjoy camping, campfires, and great food - featuring local Mendocino Coast specialties from land and sea (our fishing/diving and gardening talents). 

Lot of fun kayaking opportunities here.  We are excited to share them with you.  Give us a ring and let's get out on the WATER!!!

Whitewater of the Sea

Hey California Whitewater Kayakers!!!  Don't let the drought get you down.  Avoid the weekend crowds on the South Fork of the American River and come kayak and play with us in the Whitewater, Surf, and Rock Gardens of the Mendocino Coast.

Even on the calmest days we have whitewater features and surf to play and kayak in.

No crowds.  Our maximum trip size for a whitewater of the sea adventure is typically 4 paddlers.

"Off the beaten paddle."  Sure you can come paddle here with other kayak guides or friends.  They will likely take you to Van Damme or Russian Gulch - where you may experience crowds.  If you want to experience the best of the Mendocino Coast - best go with the locals.

No roll, no worries, enjoy the ease of our whitewater sit on top kayaks.

Wanna get your adventuresome friends, family, or significant other hooked on whitewater kayaking - bring them on a trip with us.  We'll get them hooked.

Just know let them know that carnage happens . . . everyone falls in sooner or later.

Kayaking in sea caves is a cool experience.

Even cooler is jumping off rocks into the ocean.

But don't take our word for it . . . Give us a call and come play in the Whitewater of the Sea with us!!!

Ohhh - so you wanna rock garden and explore in your sea kayak?  We know a thing or two about that too!

LFK's Cate riding "Nick's Nightmare" in her Valley Gemini SP Sea Kayak.

Kicking It Off

Liquid Fusion Kayaking's Mendocino Spring/Summer 2014 season has began.  This month, we have hosted a variety of kayaking events including community events, instructor training, classes, and tours.

We kicked off the month of May with a 2 day custom Whitewater of the Sea Adventure. We had fun sharing the fun and thrills of rock gardening in whitewater kayaks with 4 returning students.

Then we jumped right into our Monday night Learn to Kayak Series for Mendocino County residents.  This is a 4 week evening course to introduce locals to kayaking.

Gorgeous evenings on the Noyo for the Learn to Kayak Class

On May 8, our 5 day Instructor Training Course began.  We hosted American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer, Bryant Burkhardt, to offer a Coastal Instructor Development Workshop (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exam (ICE).  We had a beautiful stretch of weather for our 6 instructor candidates who came from as far away as Alaska, San Diego, Tahoe, Burney, and the Bay Area.

Surf zone instruction - on the beach and in the water.

Last weekend, we kicked off our first Tracks to Kayaks, Whitewater of the Sea, and Sunset Bird Paddle tours.

Ride the Skunk Train then Kayak on the Noyo River

Chris celebrating his 50th birthday on a nice pour-over.

A harbor seal entertains paddlers on the Sunset Bird Paddle.

A highlight of May continues to be our Annual Afternoon on the River fundraiser for Books for Babies and Kits for Kinder.  This year we had a spectacular day with sunshine and lots of local families coming out to enjoy kayaking on the Noyo River.

We are looking forward to a busy Memorial Day Weekend.  We still have a few spaces available on our Sunset Bird Paddle and Whitewater of the Sea Adventures including our Whitewater of the Sea Level II.  Give us a call if you would like to come play.