Spring Mendocino Sea Kayaking

 On the Mendocino Coast of California, we typically have 4 seasons - 

Summer - Fog

Fall - Indian Summer

Winter - Rain

Spring - WIND

Sea kayaking in a protected cove on a blustery day

A windy spring is normal and critical for deep water upwelling in the ocean.  As the spring winds blow, they bring nutrients up from the bottom of the sea to fertilize the kelp.  Often we get days and days with strong winds which creates healthy ocean conditions but are not my favorite kayaking conditions.  Often I migrate inland in the spring for whitewater river kayaking and for a break from the wind.

Occasionally, we rally and get out for a windy romp on the sea. Here's a video of sea kayaking in our typical spring conditions.

For the best viewing experience, watch on YouTube and select the highest quality your device will allow.

Sea Cave Making

Mendocino's sea caves are world famous.  The whole coastline is like swiss cheese with notches, caves, holes, arches, and tunnels.

Sea kayaking through arches and into sea caves on the Mendocino Coast of California.  

When walking on the coastal headlands, one can see the alluring arches, tunnels and dark cave entrances.  On calm days, kayakers get the opportunity to paddle into the caves.  And of course some of us push the limits a little - surfing through arches and playing in rowdy sea caves.

Have you ever wondered "How are sea caves formed?"  This winter, we have had lots of cave making days.  This inspired me  to share a little bit about how sea caves are formed and some photos and videos from our wet and wild winter of 2018-2019.

Winter storm surf crashing into the Noyo!

How are sea caves formed?

The simplest answer is that sea caves are formed by erosion.  Coastal erosion is also referred to as coastal process.  Check out this website for more information on coastal processes including wavelogy.  

To specifically see how sea caves, arches, and sea stacks (stumps) are formed check out this video.

In the winter, winter storms often generate large swells that roll into the Mendocino Coast.  Usually we have one large swell event per winter (25 feet plus waves).  This winter, we seem to be having these events every other week.

Awesome winter storm surf on crashing into the Mendocino Coast.

It is very exciting.  We can hear the surf and feel its energy from our house - which is about a mile from the ocean.  When you get close to the ocean, the power of the large surf is AWESOME!  While watching waves roll through the bays and hearing and feeling them crash onto the headlands, one feels the energy permeate through your soul.

As sea level is rising and we are having higher tide, the effects of large surf in the winter months during our king tides is significant.  One could speculate that it is increasing the rate of coastal erosion.  We often comment that it is another cave making day.


 Then we see the effects - logs and jetsam are chucked up on the headlands.  At the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, one of their informational signs was annihilated.  

Landslides and rock falls are happening.  We have not seen any arches collapse., but it is a possibility.  To the south of us in Point Arena, a huge sinkhole with a cave leading to the ocean has opened up.


In Noyo Bay, the Sinkhole Cave is one of our favorite paddling spots.

Sea Cave Kayaking on the Mendocino Coast.

Last week, we were walking on the coastal headlands and saw muddy water flowing out to sea.  Moments later, we discovered a large landslide occurred on the back wall of the Sinkhole Cave.

Landslide into the back side of the sinkhole cave on the North Side of Noyo Bay.

Today, I was walking and saw that it has slid more.  The ground around it is cracked and looks to be ready to slide further.  This week, we are forecasted to get over 5 inches of rain.  The weekend the swell predictors are in the 30 plus foot range.  I'd say that it is likely to slide more.

Coastal erosion on the Mendocino Coast of California.

These are exciting times.  The next time that you kayak on the Mendocino Coast, things could be quite different.  Sea caves could have more head room and potentially there maybe more rocky rubble in passages that are clear.  We of course have a couple of spots in mind that we would like to see some moving and shaking.

Probably best not to do any sea cave kayaking for a while.  This summer when things have dried out and the swells have mellowed out, we will be back in Mendocino's sea caves and let you know what we find.

Summer of Sunshine and Smiles

As summer starts to wrap-up, I am starting to think about getting caught up on my blogging and bookkeeping.

This has been Liquid Fusion Kayaking's busiest summer so far.  It has been a summer of sunshine and smiles.  As Jeff and I review photos from our trips, we love seeing all the happy faces.  From first timers to seasoned paddlers, we have been sharing the magic of the Mendocino Coast with folks from all walks of life.

I did a rough calculation and figure that I have guided over 500 people on the water over the past 3 months.

On our dry and mild tours on the Noyo River, I know that I have done my job when 1/2 way through the tour folks start talking about when and where they can go kayaking next.  Last month I ran into a family launching kayaks onto the Noyo River.  The father pointed at the kayaks and said to me that this was all my fault.  His family fell in love with kayaking on a trip with me last summer and now they own 4 kayaks and are paddling as a family almost every weekend.

Our early September is looking busy with teaching our Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Series and teaching rock gardening at the Headwaters Albion Bash.

I am looking forward to writing some reviews this fall on some kayaks and equipment that I have gotten to use this summer.  But most importantly - what is on my mind for when I get to go kayaking next?  Kayak surfing and whitewater!  This week, I knocked the dust off my surf kayak.  It definitely put a smile on my face.

Sea Kayaking Mendocino's Area 10-13

At the end of August, Jeff and I took a day off to play with our friends Jim and Tess.  We sea kayaked a stretch of the Mendocino Coast that we call Area 10-13.

Area 10-13 has some of the coolest sea caves to kayak in on the Mendocino Coast.

Delving into the darkness.

Many of the sea caves are tunnels that cut through the headlands.

Jeff traveling under headlands instead of around them.

Multiple opens make for interesting paddling.  One of our favorites is called Lex's Labyrinth.

Tess exiting Lex's Labyrinth.

Some of the caves have play features.  This cave has a fun wash-over.

Jim Kakuk styles it in his Tsunami X-15.

This arch leads to a hidden cove.

The gang returns from a lunch break in the hidden cove.

But the day wasn't all about kayaking through spectacular sea caves, we enjoyed each other's company, a beautiful day, and exceptional wildlife sightings- including porpoises and river otters.

A river otter hunting for lunch.

Great News!!!

Russian Gulch State Park in Mendocino County has been taken off the list of California State Parks to close July 1.

Our local Mendocino Area Park Association was working hard to keep it open and even submitted a proposal to take over its operation.  When it came down to it, some technicality regarding the water and sewage system made it so that MAPA couldn't assume operations and the state has decided to keep it open.

This is great news for all who enjoy hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, diving, and beautiful coastal headlands.  If you are a paddler and haven't paddled out of Russian Gulch, definitely put it on your must do list.

Write to Save Russian Gulch

Russian Gulch State Park is one of the 70 California state parks slated for closure in July 2012. Those that have visited Russian Gulch know what a gem it is. Those that have not, should make plans to do so. Russian Gulch's hiking trails lead into a lush coniferous rain forest and converge at a 25 foot waterfall. The picnic areas are on coastal headlands affording whale watching and spectacular views of Mendocino and Point Cabrillo. The beach is an easy launch for abalone divers and kayakers. The sea kayaking around Russian Gulch is spectacular with mazes of rock gardens, sea caves, and tunnels for exploration and play.



Tomorrow, the Department of Parks and Recreation will be voting whether to allow Russian Gulch (bundled with 3 other Mendocino County State Parks) be privatized (run by businesses or corporations). Our local non-profits are asking interested individuals to submit letters asking for the DPR to hold off on voting until all non-profits have had a chance to submit their proposals. Here is a link from the docent at Point Cabrillo with a sample letter.

I am going to write in support of non-profits being given a chance to run the park. Our non-profit organizations on the Mendocino Coast have a history of preservation and good management of local resources. Mendocino Area Park Association (MAPA) is a nonprofit that supports educational programs at the parks. MAPA has submitted a preliminary proposal to take over operations of Russian Gulch.

I am not an expert on the politics of such things but wanted to share what is happening. Perhaps those that are more versed could chime in to help get the word out how to save this gorgeous state park.

It is Time

Yes, I am going to stop ranting about plastics and give my plastic kayaks a spa treatment of 303 because it is almost time for the Tour de Mendo (our June one).


This year, I finally get to go. Yes!!! We have a sold-out trip so we are going to close the shop for 4 days and show a crew of paddlers from Southern California a great time sea kayaking on the Mendocino Coast. Only one member of the group has paddled here before so I can't wait to see their expressions when we paddle and play in the rock gardens and explore the sea caves and tunnels of this magical coastline.


Of course we are likely to get out in whitewater kayaks for a bit of surfing and rock gardening play too.

Jeff and I have a special adventure up our sleeves for this crew. Can't wait to share it but I'm not going to spill the beans now.

Following the Pied Piper

I missed the Golden Gate Sea Kayak Symposium (GGSKS) but as the stars aligned I had the fortune of paddling and playing with 5 of the instructors after the symposium.


Like the Pied Piper, Jeff played a sweet tune and lured several of the GGSKS instructors to our house and the magical paddling playground of the Mendocino Coast. Paul Kuthe, Dave White, Matt Nelson, and Bryan Burkhardt couldn't resist the piper's tune and came to play.


I was a little skeptical about tagging along knowing that my skill level was no where near their caliber and also not wanting to hold them up if they were looking to get some miles in and see our coast. Ahhhh - but what do these guys do for their paddling fun - ROCK GARDEN and SURF!


Our Pied Piper led us to a bouncy passage to the south of Russian Gulch and the opening of a sea tunnel that traveled under the headlands. Through this sea tunnel, we traveled to a magical playground of surge channels, pour overs, and slots.



After a journey through the milkshake room (aptly named by Bryant) we traveled to a reef break in Agate Cove. Steep 10-12 foot waves had me stepping back and watching but eventually venturing in for a little fun. The Northwest wind kicked up and made getting into and holding position to catch the wave tricky.


The guys carved this baby up and I held on for dear life, keeping my sea kayak from broaching and heading right and into the rocks.


After a lunch break, our pied piper turned out to be a business owner who had to get back for a teleconference with the accountant so we all returned to tell our tales. But being in the kayaking business, we couldn't resist a few more rides as we traveled back to our magical tunnel. The northwest wind had kicked up significantly so we stayed on the inside using the rocks as buffers from the wind and breaking waves. I surfed every wave and surge possible to help with gaining headway in the wind.


Before traveling through our magic tunnel, we rode one more pour-over. The pour-over was straightforward but holding position in the wind and current was challenging. The guys were much better at holding position than I was but were stoked to see me in there charging it and encouraged me to be patient and wait for the right wave.


Back through our tunnel, we returned to Russian Gulch, extended invitations for more play, and sped away - Matt back to Orcas Island, Dave and Paul to Portland, Bryant to Sacramento, and Jeff and I to our meeting with the accountant.


It was awesome to paddle with these guys and I look forward to paddling with them again - Lumpy Waters maybe?

Need for Water?

Just finished reading the article from Newsweek titled "Why We Need More Time in Nature."

I couldn't agree more and reading the comments posted indicated that many agree.

Even more interesting would be research on why many of us feel such a draw and connection to water. Perhaps it is because our bodies are over 70% water or maybe that our planet is mostly made up of water and our lives depend so greatly upon it.

Regardless, my recommendation is to get out there and enjoy it.