Feeding the Soul

Surfing Feeds My Soul

Woman on Water

Please forgive the lack of writing this month/year.  I truly have been a woman on water.  Most recently my adventures have been teaching and guiding on the Mendocino Coast for Liquid Fusion Kayaking.  As summer begins, we have become quite busy.  Today I had a couple of moments to reflect on the magic of what I get to do.

Our dry and mild wildlife watching kayak tours are popular with families and first time kayakers.  After one of my tours this week, an 8 year old told me that he loved kayaking and it was his best day ever.

A dry and mild family kayak trip on the Mendocino Coast

We also had a 64 year old tell us the same thing.  Today we had a mother and 3 daughters out rock gardening on our Whitewater of the Sea Adventure.  Mom got the biggest ride of the day.

A wet and wild ocean kayak adventure on the Mendocino Coast

I can't wait to hear what the 3 brothers say.

Whether mild or wild, each day brings new adventures.

I encourage everyone to live outside the box and get out on the water.

Cate in her Valley Gemini SP Sea Kayak.

Or in it!!!

Dawn Patrol

"An object at rest remains at rest unless acted upon by a force. An object in motion remains in motion unless acted upon by a force." Newton's First Law of Motion

It's 4:45am.  The alarm clock hasn't gone off yet but my internal clock has activated.  My body continues at rest nestled in the covers and sandwiched between Jeff and Tom Cat.  I could happily remain in bed but a force stirs within and sets my body in motion . . . 

Dawn Patrol
As I emerge from the house, it is dark, but I can hear the surf - a constant roar.  The air is still and cool.

This morning, I don't have to search but know exactly where to go.  I have a mission - to get wet and catch one wave.  I've been guiding kayak tours a lot and need some "me" time.  Time for me to enjoy the ocean and her power and beauty without the responsibility of others.

I know exactly where to go.  I don't expect huge waves, barrels, or even long clean rides - just faces to slide upon and frothy salt water in the face.

Arriving at the beach, no one else is there.  Jeff has decided not to surf this morning but tags along to enjoy dawn on the beach.  It is light but the sun is not up yet. I watch the waves for just a couple of minutes - not really caring about their shape or form but just longing to be out there in them.

The stillness of the morning is interrupted by the screaming calls of black oystercatchers as they patrol the beach for breakfast.  I hop in my kayak and paddle out.  As I paddle up and over foam piles, my hands get the first cold water wake-up of the morning.  As I move further out into the surf zone and paddle through a wave, the cold water smacks me in the face knocking the cobwebs out.  I feel so ALIVE!!!

The surf is small and confused.  I see a bump of water on the horizon and continue to work my way to the outside.  As the bump travels toward me, I continue to warm-up - focusing on my forward stroke technique - a vertical shaft, good anchor, legs and torso powering the stroke.

The bump continues to roll toward the beach.  It wells up into a mound and then into a steep slope of water. I launch onto its 4 foot glassy face, and the sun crests the trees erasing the gray of dawn - sparkling off the whitewater and illuminating the glassy, green face of my wave.  

The ride wasn't anything spectacular but the moment was magical   This was the moment that my soul was craving.

Kayak Surfing on the Mendocino Coast of California

Spring

I have to admit that spring is not my favorite time of the year.  Spring is an unsettled time for me.  I know that some of it has to do with the windy weather that we have.  It also has to do with preparations for and anxiety over our upcoming summer season.  This is a time when our expenses are high and income is low.  So when the going gets tough, the tough go surfing.

Kayak Surfing on the Mendocino Coast Photo by Bryant Burkhardt

This spring has been much better.  I have been out of town more that I prefer, but have had a lot of fun whitewater adventures including our Spring Rund-Oft Tour.  Followed by a 5 day ACA instructor development and certification class on the South Fork of the American River with the Phil and Mary DeRiemer of DeRiemer Adventure Kayaking.

Whitewater kayaking on the Trinity River

This week, I was just back from the American River but was captivated by the beauty of spring on the Mendocino Coast. It is all about the birds and bees you know as our fellow creatures are doing their spring time things.

Wild n Crazy River Otters on the Noyo River

When mountain biking through the forest, I feel like royalty riding on trails lined with wild irises and strewn with pink rhodedenron petals.  In the creek areas, the carpet of "Forget Me Nots" is intoxiating.  Clintonia, redwood sorrel, and columbines are also blooming.  Of course, pedaling to a processional of blubbly Pacific Wrens, flute-like Hermit Thrushes, and attention-getting Olive Sided and Pacific Slope Flycatchers completes the magic.

Amy of Mendocino Bike Sprite cruising on a trail lined with forget me nots.

I am excited to get back into the ocean kayaking and rock gardening mode.  Jeff and I decided to avoid the chaos of holiday weekends by creating a kayaking retreat for us and some of our lucky students.  On both Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends, we turn off the phone to host our Mendocino Wave n Caves Kayaking Weekends. 

Whitewater kayaking in the ocean rock gardens of the Mendocino Coast

This is a fun-filled weekend of camping and kayaking in the rock gardens and sea caves is fashioned after the Los Arborlitos and La Buffadora rock gardening trips that Jeff and Greg Knight used to put on for Aqua Adventures out of San Diego.  2 differences being though - we are rock gardening in Mendocino which many describe as Arbo on steroids and Jeff and I are cooking quality meals featuring some of our local specialties.

Kayaking Mendocino Sea Caves

This spring, I have to admit that I am even a bit excited about sea kayaking.  I am loving paddling the Valley Gemini SP.  It is light, agile, playful, and comfortable and has rejuvenated my love of sea kayaking.  I am looking forward to a surf zone session with her (aka The Black Pearl) to dial in my control and handling.

Sea kayak rock gardening in the Valley Gemini SP

As of this spring, Liquid Fusion Kayaking has been in business on the Mendocino Coast for 5 years.  I am excited that news of Liquid Fusion Kayaking is buzzing around our local Fort Bragg and Mendocino Communities.  When KZYX (local public radio station) announces our Afternoon on the Noyo River benefit for books for babies, our hearts fill with community pride.  Next month, we are looking forward to hosting the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society on a kayaking and birding trip on the Noyo River.

Birding by kayak on the Noyo River

So really, life isn't good . . . It's GREAT!!!  

(Sorry not be as regular on the blog - I've been a bit busy - out of town and out on the water.)