Whitewater Kayaking on the Eel River

The Eel River is an often overlooked whitewater gem.  The Eel has many personalities and something for all classes of whitewater enthusiasts.  The moving water on the Eel ranges from class I through class V (flat, moving water through steep, difficult whitewater).  The Eel is a special river for me because it is in my backyard and where I learned to whitewater kayak.

Cate Hawthorne whitewater kayaking on Mendocino County's Eel River.  Photo by Mark Boyd

The Eel River has roadside stretches for day trips and easy shuttle logistics and wilderness stretches for multi-day kayak camping trips.

Whitewater kayak camping trip on the Eel River.

The boating season depends on the rainfall in the area and snow pack and run off from Mendocino National Forest.  It is difficult to say what is typical, but usually we are kayaking on it December through May.

Jackie enjoys a surf waves on the Eel River. Photo by Liquid Fusion Kayaking

Jeff and I love the Eel River and are really excited about kayaking on it this spring.  The ground is saturated and gushing, and we expect to have good flows on the Eel this spring.

Spring is our favorite time of the year on the Eel.  Longer days, warm weather, and wildflowers are a real treat.  We have 2 whitewater kayak classes on the Eel coming up.  April 15-16 is our Precision River Running Class for Intermediate Whitewater Kayakers to build their river running skills.  May 13-14 is a Whitewater Kayak Class for novice whitewater kayakers.

Liquid Fusion Kayaking instructing whitewater kayaking on the Eel River. Photo by Mark Boyd.

We are also available for private lessons, custom classes, and guiding on the Eel River.

Liquid Fusion Kayaking guides private trips on the Eel River.

Want to know more about the Eel River, CaCreeks is a website with information on many of the Eel's Runs.  Also Dan Menten has a new book The New School Guide to Northern California Whitewater that has lots of information on the Eel and other Northern California Rivers.

I am planning to write a series of stories and information on my favorite stretches of the Eel.  Stay tuned.

Time is Marching On!

Wow!!! March sure seems to have slipped by quickly.  I have had many blog posts in my mind but haven't found the time to write them up.

My smile muscles were worn out from a fun surf session.  Photo by Jeff Laxier

I am juggling many balls at the moment.  On the business side of things, we are teaching private lessons and gearing up for Liquid Fusion Kayaking's busy summer season.  Tasks include CPR certification, wilderness first aid training, renewing insurance policies, communicating with individuals and groups interested in tours and classes, organizing classes, advertising and promotion, website work, organizing equipment, and maintenance and repair.

Wilderness First Aid Training with Foster Calm.

Jeff and I are also preparing for our annual Spring Run Off Trip.  One of our goals for the trip is a wilderness river kayak camping trip.  We aren't exactly sure where and when we are going but have a couple of ideas.  (please share if you have any recommendations for us). Last year we slipped off to the Owyhee River.

Whitewater kayak camping trip on the Owyhee River.

Regardless of where we go, preparations are underway.  I have had the dehydrator out and have a couple of tasty new recipes for our trip.  Stay tuned for a post on recipes and tips and tricks for multi day kayak camping trips.

Dehydrated food for kayak camping trips. 

Of course, I have to stay in paddling shape and keep my skills up.  The Storm Gathering USA in early March was a good opportunity for me to knock the rust off my sea kayak skills.

Storm Gathering USA Photo by Pelle Hammarstrom

This month, I have had the occasional river run.  Including a fun run on Mendocino County's Rancheria Creek.

Running "The Ledge" on Rancheria Creek. Photo by Jeff Laxier

Most of my time this winter and spring has been paddling and playing in the surf.  Several breaks are close to home so I can get business work done and then slip out for a surf.  Some days the waves are good and very surfable.

Kayak Surfing on the Mendocino Coast.  Photos by Jeff Laxier

Other days, it is just fun to get out in my Jackson Kayak 2 Fun and bounce around on the foam piles.

Engulfed in the wave.  Photo by Jeff Laxier

Stay tuned for some of my dehydrated meal creations and other tips on packing for kayak camping trips.

Feeding the Soul

Troubling times are upon us.  Between the winter blahs and the turmoil of US politics, our hearts and souls are under assault.

Now, it is more important than ever to cultivate joy in your life.  Get outside! Spend quality time with loved ones! Do activities that energize and renew the spirit!

Getting some fresh air is sometimes all that we need to reset.

Taking a vacation is one way that we recharge our batteries.  Take a mental daydream for a moment and think of your last vacation or trip . . . .  As you put yourself back on that vacation, do you feel the stress of the world drift away?

My mental daydream puts me on the Owhyee River - the Grand Canyon of Oregon.
The desert landscape intrigues my brain, the quiet soothes my soul, and the whitewater invigorates my body.

Unfortunately, we can't always be on vacation so it is necessary for us to cultivate soul feeding activities into our daily lives.  Build 30 minutes into your day for soul feeding activity.  For me it is a run, bike ride, or surf session.  Find what works for you and do it!  Do it solo or bring along your kiddos, dogs, friends, coworker or significant other.

Jeff joins me for a "$hits n Giggles"mountain bike ride.

Find ways to avoid excuses - time, weather, distance, deadlines, responsibilities.  I challenge you to get your act together and make it happen.  Here are some tips that I find helpful:

1.  Find a local trail, walking route, waterway, gym, or pool in your neighborhood or near work.

2.  Schedule the time into your day like you would an appointment.

3.  Enlist someone to hold you accountable.  A buddy can go with you, can encourage you to get out the door, or check in with you at the end of the day.

4.  Always have you gear bag packed ready to go.  Throw in a rain jacket and rain pants or what ever you might need for the weather.

My surf kit ready to grab and go.

Feeding the soul keeps the heart alive.  It allows us to live and to love.  We need to do it and need to encourage others to as well.

Surfing waist high waves on a rainy day.  Photo by Jeff Laxier

Rolling Rolling Rolling

The kayak roll is one of the most essential kayak skills for whitewater kayaking, rock gardening, and surfing.  I will never forget the hours and hours that I spent learning and bombproofing my roll.  Nor will I forget the first time I successfully rolled my kayak in the surf.

For paddlers interested in paddling whitewater, rock gardens, and surfing; we recommend learning to roll as early as possible in your paddling career and working with a good coach.  We caution against learning layback or Greenland rolls initially.  We have encountered too many paddlers who have learned the standard layback roll and have it so ingrained into their muscle memory that they find it difficult to adopt other rolling techniques that are safer and more effective in dynamic water.  Continually we see them going back to the layback roll that they first learned and failing, failing, failing in situations where the roll counts.

Teaching the roll from the beginning is definitely not one of my fortes.  I enjoy coaching tune-ups and have a keen eye for technique and small nuances that can make one's roll more efficient.  I am always on the watch for more tools for my rolling toolbox.  Recently, I came across a 3 part instructional series on the kayak roll posted by Glenmore Lodge.  Dave Rossetter has a very good rolling progression that coaches and students alike will find helpful.  

Here is Part One.

Here is Part Two.

Here is Part Three.

I hope you find these helpful. Roll on!