Leaving the pod!

I am so excited to be planning our first real paddle on the ocean! Just the two of us! Sure we have been on many paddles with our mentors and other paddlers. This time we are completely on our own. Scary and exciting all at the same time! No backup if something goes wrong.

Our Route

We have our launch spot all picked out. Our destination in mind, the route we plan on taking and all the necessary gear for most any situation! This will be a short paddle. The first leg is 1.3 miles on the Noyo River. Then, 1.7 miles on the ocean to our destination, approximately 3 miles one way.



Our Destination



It is a completely open part of the coast. So, we do have a plan if the weather changes. Turn around and paddle, paddle, paddle!!! LOL…No, we will stay off the coast and ride the swells back to the mouth of the Noyo. Maybe even, a chance to ride a small wave in! We know to check the weather and tides before we launch. We are packing a little extra food and water just in case we have to wait it out! Being prepared never hurts. It is going to be a great day!

We are looking forward to posting all our pictures of this paddle and sharing our adventure!

Whoever might be keeping track, I do know this will be my first written post! It is a monumental occasion!

Krazy Kayaker 2



Happy Inuit Day!

Many of you might not know that today is Inuit Day.  If you are able today, I can't think of a better way to celebrate the Inuit people, their traditions, and their great invention, the kayak, than to get out on the water in your kayak. 

 Unfortunately, today I am stuck in an office behind my desk, but in heart, mind and soul I will be in my kayak celebrating Inuit Day and I hope that you will celebrate it with me.

Happy Inuit Day!

*Pictures were "borrowed" from  the great people at Chicago Kayak

http://www.chicagokayak.com

Happy Halloween!

We hope that everyone had

a Spooktacular Halloween!!

The Beauty and Fun of the Mendocino Coast

We love going to the Mendocino Coast for the beauty of the coast line, all the beaches along the way and of course all the fun little places to check out.  Here is a cool little slot we went in with a tiny beach and waterfall at the end of it.  It is only big enough for one kayak to get into and turn around in and you have to let the water take you in and use your hands on the rocks as it is way to narrow to paddle through but it's a spot we just have to check out each time we go.

Scott's First Pourover

Last weekend in Mendocino, Scott attempted his first pourover.

Although it was not a total success, he came up laughing
with a huge grin on his face.  I'd call that success!
 

We can't wait to go back and play some more!

Why We Love Mendocino...

Great Friends...

Beautiful Scenery...

Wildlife...

Sea Life...

 Arches...

Caves...

Tunnels...

Blow holes...

Pourovers...

 and Secret Beaches.

What's not to love about it?

My Parents are Certifiable

Well, only if you consider an extreme obsession to kayaking a mental illness. 

Over the past year and a half my parents have taught us everything that we know about kayaking.  They taught us how to wet exit and how to self and t-rescue.  We moved on to bracing, edging, and forward stroke.  They taught me how to roll.  Then once we got the basics down they took us on trips where they taught us about eddy lines, currents, wind, waves, and being prepared. 

This time last year we were preparing for our second trip to the ocean (on the first trip,  three months earlier, we only got on the ocean once and in very mild conditions).  We were not yet members of the Sacramento Sea Kayakers but had begun going to meetings and joining them on trips, and this trip was their annual Mendocino Campout. 

The group consists of three types of paddlers. Those that stick to the calm flat rivers, those who explore the oceans tunnels and caves, and those who love to explore the rock gardens.  My parents fall in the later two.

Being so green to kayaking, the group expected us to stick to the rivers, but that wasn't what we did.  Every morning we got up early and joined my parents on trips thru caves and tunnels, we were introduced to the washing machine, rode eight foot swells, played in small waves, enjoyed lunch on beautiful secret beaches and even tried a teeny tiny pourover. 

The club was so impressed that at the Christmas Dinner awards ceremony we were awarded with this...

Best Novice Couple Award

Now my parents have gone and got themselves certified!  I can't imagine two better kayak instructors and I am very proud of them for all that they have accomplished.  They have given up many fun and exciting exploration paddles this year in favor of long boring practice sessions on the local lake, and all of their hard work and determination has finally paid off for them.  I just hope they don't start charging us for lessons now...