Paddle Mendocino in a day, the Noyo way

Mendocino County is a paddler paradise – more than 75 miles of coastline along Highway 1, plus five large tidal rivers over almost 3,900 square miles. You could easily spend a week kayaking on just the most accessible waters. But let’s get a flavor of Mendocino paddling in just a few hours. No way? Noyo way!
 

Just minutes from downtown Fort Bragg, the forest semi-primeval

 The Noyo River channel cuts through Fort Bragg like a lumberjack’s chainsaw. By turns it’s gritty and green, a flowing embodiment of contradictions that are so Mendocino. In a distance of less than four miles, paddlers get a feel for paradise, paradise lost, and most everything in between.
 

Gesundheit! Sea sneezes, wipes kayak's nose

Close encounter with a blowhole off the Mendocino coast (Photo courtesy Thomas Schuebel)



The thing about sea kayaking is that conditions change constantly, instructor and guide Thomas Schuebel reminded us before we launched from Van Damme State Park in Mendocino County last weekend. Later, I foolishly paddled too close to a blowhole -- sort of a cross between a miniature sea cave and a geyser -- and learned a lesson. 

Stuck the nose of my kayak right into the crevice, and as the swell swelled, the bow was pinned inside the blowhole, and the stern began rising. Fortunately, Thomas (find him on facebook) teaches bracing as part of his kayak curriculum. A strong brace saved me from tipping over just a couple of seconds after this photo was snapped.

A paddling pal dubbed my manuever a "nose wedgie," and while my kayak had been freed, my reputation was sealed for the weekend. Always thought this pal was a genteel, refined woman. But then, I saw no hazard from the blowhole, either.

A future post will discuss some pointers from Thomas on basic sea kayaking skills and safety measures. They're nothing to sneeze at. On this particular weekend, three divers lost their lives along the North Coast. Proving once again that the sea can be a harsh environment. But in our case, with good precautions, an excellent adventure. More later.

Kayak spring tune-up #5: Wrap it up, I'll tape it

In a series of recent posts, we’ve learned how to check that PFD for wear, prepare for cold water kayaking, keep the boat from blowing off the car, and how to get in better shape for paddling with yoga. (Okay, still working on that one. You can teach an old downward dog new tricks, but getting him to straighten up again -- woof. ) More spring kayak tune-up tips…

Camera, action, roll the tape

Photo from www.indestructables.com
 

No list of anything is complete without duct tape. Or as we call it in the South, “The perfect solution just waitin' for your problem.”

 

In the case of kayaking, the worst problem of all could be punching a hole in your hull during a trip. I know what you’re thinking – can duct tape really keep a boat watertight?

Those fearless guys at “MythBusters” on the Discovery Channel asked the same question – watch their amazing experiment with positive results. Also check out this do-it-yourself project that cost about $20 in materials and a couple of days of work (photo at right).
 

Kayak spring tune-up #4: Find serenity on, off water

More than just a workout, kayaking offers a sense of serenity on the water. Another form of exercise that complements paddling also benefits body and soul – yoga. In fact, warm-up exercises for kayakers are mostly variations on yoga positions. Not the pretzel-bending stuff. The gentle, slow, stretching yoga – an ideal spring tune-up to help paddlers get into shape.

 

Find the right routine and you’ll feel better on or off the water. I’m fortunate to know a gifted instructor, Donna Dowson, who teaches at my local health club. She’s also a casual kayaker. Donna graciously offered to do an informal, 15-minute video emphasizing exercises that can benefit paddlers. (Hollywood this ain’t, and the audio quality of my camera is a bit muffled, so you may need to turn up the volume. You can also change the video to full-screen and click on the "gear wheel" at the bottom right of the video frame to bump up the resolution to 720p HD.) The video session is divided into two parts.

Spring kayak tip #3: Tie me up, tie me down

Ask a kayaker about safety and the answer will be, “Wear a PFD.” Ask what’s most important to kayak safety off the water, and you’ll probably get a blank stare. John Bauer has the answer: “Front and rear tie-downs,” says John, who owns Rack N Road, a vehicle outfitter.


You know your priorities are right when your kayak is longer than your car (Photo by Dale Bates)

“Think about it,” says John. “Paddlers spend as much time – maybe more time – traveling to and from the water than in their kayaks. They’re carrying 50 or 60 pounds of kayaks, maybe more, on top of their vehicles, often at freeway speed. What happens if that kayak isn’t secured? It’s not a pretty thought.”

Spring kayak tune-up tip #2: It's still winter in water

Morning water smooth as glass on North Lake Tahoe, when the weather's right

For a kayaker’s bucket list: Launch from a snow-covered beach at least once. On a recent trip to Lake Tahoe, with temperatures in the low 40s (water) to mid-50s (air), we discovered that Sierra winter can be the visual frosting on a paddler’s cake. Majestic scenery, a wondrous quietude – and yes, crisp air and chilly water can be a treat, too.

 

Early warm weather in Northern California suggests that spring’s in the air, but it’s still winter in the water and will be for several months. So how to paddle without becoming a popsicle? Some spring tune-up tips for cold-start paddles follow...