Sea Kayaking
Sea Kayaking is a great way to explore new places. Our students have paddled in exciting places all over the world. Imagine sea kayaking in Alaska among icebergs or paddling and whisky tasting in Scotland's Hebrides. Of course the Mendocino Coast in California is one of our favorite places to explore and is a great place to learn to sea kayak. Come spend a morning, day, weekend, or week with us refining your skills in the sea, surf, and rock gardens of the Mendocino Coast.
Essential Kayak Skills I
Want to learn to kayak? This is the class that will get you on your way to more paddling fun in a kayak.
Learn skills to make your paddling easier and more fun. No previous experience is necessary for this class.
This course is a prerequisite for most of our events and classes including surf kayaking, coastal exploration in a single sea kayak, and rock gardening.
In this 6 hour course, participants will learn about the gear and technique used for kayaking. Skills taught include kayak fit, posture, balance, basic strokes and safety skills.
When: Check the calendar for dates. Typically we offer this class on first Saturdays in April through October. We also will schedule additional classes as needed.
How: Call to reserve your spot or schedule a private session. (707) 962-1623
How much:
$100/person (includes kayak and gear rental for the class).
$30 Repeat customer special - we encourage students to retake this class to practice and refine their skills. If you have taken this class from us, you may retake as many times as you would like for only $30 each time.
Where: Fort Bragg’s Noyo River or other location by appointment.
Rock Garden 101
After you have learned the basics on flat water, learn kayak skills to explore the rock gardens of the Mendocino Coast.
The Mendocino Coast has a beautiful and rocky coastline to explore by kayak. Liquid Fusion Kayaking has developed a systematic approach to teach paddlers to paddle confidently and comfortably in rock gardens and sea caves.
In this 6 hour course, paddlers will learn and apply concepts and skills for boat control and maeuvering around rocks and in sea caves, reading water, recognizing hazards, and safety and rescue techniques.
Prerequisites: Essential Kayak Skills and 10 hours paddling time.
For those with more advanced skills and previous coastal and rock gardening experience - check out our Sea Kayak Rock Gardening and Whitewater Kayak Rock Gardening classes.
We offer Rock Garden 101 April-October on Second Saturdays. $110/person for 6 hour class includes equipment for the class.
Private and group lessons are also available by appointment.
For more information or to register, please call (707) 962-1623.
Sea Kayak Rock Gardening
Welcome to our playground!
Experience a playful exploration of the rock gardens of the Mendocino Coast. We'll show you some of our favorite spots and teach you the tricks of rock gardening - dart into sea caves, glide down waves, charge pour-overs, and carve through surge chanels - all the while marveling at the incredible beauty of the wild Mendocino Coast.
Mark - "I was just paddling off the coast of Washington with a friend who recently took your rock gardening class. We came across a challenging stretch of confused waters which she handled with ease. The improvement in her confidence and skills is remarkable since she returned from her instruction with Liquid Fusion Kayaking."
This 6 hour course is designed for intermediate through advanced sea kayakers who want to learn how to play and explore rock gardens and whitewater features of the ocean. (Paddlers will benefit from taking our Rock Garden 101 before progressing to this class).
Prerequisites - Paddlers should have a reliable roll, be able to average a 3 knot pace, be comfortable launching and landing in 3-5 foot surf, and have the equivalent of BCU 3 Star Skills and have previous instruction in kayaking ocean rock gardens.
LFK's sea kayak rock garden classes are held April through September on third Saturdays. 1/2 day and full day custom classes and private lessons are available by appointment.
$110/person for 6 hour Sea Kayak Rock Gardening Class (3-6 people)
Call (707) 962-1623 for more information or reservations.
Sea Kayak Rock Garden Safety and Rescue
Your paddling companion is out of his boat in the churning waters of a rock garden. Do you know what to do to help?
Who: Paddlers that would like to become more of an asset to a paddling group in and around the ocean's whitewater.
What: A 6 hour class for intermediate to advanced paddlers with previous rock gardening experience. Course topics will include: prevention; assessment of situations, conditions, and paddler skill levels; leadership; water reading; hands-on rescue scenarios.
When: Check the calendar for upcoming dates or call to schedule a class.
Where: Most courses are held in our backyard along the Mendocino Coast of California.
How: Book this class for you, your friends, classmates, club members or as a private lesson.
How Much: $110 per person (groups of 3-6 paddlers) Call or email for more information (707)962-1623
Sea Kayaks in the Surf
Any paddler looking for adventure is going to launch and land through the surf sooner or later. Leave your anxiety behind, and learn to control your kayak the right way – right side up. This clinic is geared toward sea kayaks, fishing kayaks, and sit-on-top kayaks.
Why: Learning to launch and land in surf will increase paddling possibilities (locations) and will develop comfort and skills in moving water. Learn to launch and land through the surf with control, safety, and finesse. It is recommended to take this class more than once as continued practice will increase your progression and skill in surfing, playing in currents and tidal races, and rock gardening.
This course is a prerequisite for Advanced Coastal Exploration trips including our Third Sunday Paddles and Tour de Mendo.
Who: Paddlers interested in coastal exploration, rock gardening, surfing and tidal races. Prerequisites: Essential Kayaking Skills 1, minimum 10 hours paddling time, and/or instructor’s approval.
What: A 5 hour class with on land and on water instruction and application.
Paddlers will learn and apply concepts and skills involved in:
Surf dynamics
Etiquette
Hazards
How to swim
Bracing
Launching and Landing
Hovering
Paddle signals
Proper gear and gear storage
When: Check the calendar for dates or call to schedule a class or private session.
How: Call to reserve your spot or to schedule a private session (707) 962-1623
How much:
$110/person includes class and necessary gear.
Repeat Customer Special - We recommend taking this class more than once as you develop your paddling skills. Paddlers who have taken sea kayaks in the surf from us may retake it again for 1/2 price.
Where: Mendocino Coast - location to be determined 24 hours prior to course based on surf conditions.
Tour de Mendo - The Ultimate of Mendocino Coast Sea Kayaking
Explore the sea caves, arches, rock formations, and secluded coves of the Mendocino Coast with LFK’s experienced guides. Be enthralled by the wildness of the Pacific Ocean as we navigate the swells and rock gardens of the Mendocino Coast.
Check out the LFK Blog and Photos of the June 2010 Tour de Mendo.
Why: Experience epic sea kayaking along the rugged Mendocino Coast.
"This is the best coastal kayaking in all of California! Paddling only four miles took six hours because there were so many caves, arches, wave pour-overs, sea birds and seals to check out. Big safe beaches to land on and launch from and expert guides to take us safely through every feature." P.Peattie, San Diego
Who: Seasoned sea kayakers – individuals or groups- wanting a guided paddling adventure on the Mendocino Coast. Anyone who has paddled here before and wants to explore a new stretch or learn some rock gardening skills.
Prerequisite Skills: self rescue (eskimo roll recommended), open ocean experience, ability to paddle 6 hours per day.
What: Sea kayak coastal exploration tour guided by Liquid Fusion Kayaking. Day one is instructional and then each day we will paddle approximately 4-6 nautical miles with exploration and rock gardening along the way.
We are also likely to spend some time playing in whitewater kayaks in the rock gardens. If there is interest and water, we will add an additional day running a whitewater river.
When: Rally your friends and call to schedule a custom Tour de Mendo.
How: Call (707) 962-1623 for reservations.
How much:
$110/person/day (groups of 4-6 paddlers)
$125/person/day (groups of 3 paddlers)
$175/person/day (2 paddlers)
Gear Rentals available - $25 for kayak, paddle, spray skirt, life jacket, helmet
Where: Mendocino Coast – location determined by paddler interests and weather conditions.
BCU Training and Assessments
BCU Trainings and Assessments
Develop a solid foundation of paddling skills through Liquid Fusion Kayaking's BCU trainings and assessments.
The British Canoe Union (BCU) is the most recognized International governing body for paddlesports for both coaching and individual awarding systems. The BCU trainings and Star awards give paddlers and coaches a sysetamatic approach to develop and assess paddling skill levels. Instructors, outfitters, and symposium organizers use BCU Star Awards to ensure that paddlers have prerequisite skills for outings and classes.
BCU Star Awards on BCU North America
Liquid Fusion Kayaking offers the following BCU Training and Assessments:
Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FRST) - key safety and rescue skills for sheltered waters. FRST Syllabus
BCU 1 Star - Safety, regard for equipment, and fun are the key components of the 1 Star Award. BCU 1 Star Syllabus
BCU 2 Star Training - Develop the foundation skills for paddling including boat control (forward, backward, sideways, turning, bracing) and safety and rescue. BCU 2 Star Syllabus
BCU 2 Star Assessment - On sheltered water, demonstrate that you've got the basic kayaking skills that include boat control and safety and rescue in more than one type of craft (sea kayak, canoe, whitewater kayak). BCU 2 Star Syllabus
BCU 3 Star Sea Training - Put the "sea" in your sea kayaking. Take your paddling skills into moderate conditions that involve currents and bumpy waters. At the 3 star level, we will practice surf launch and landing and rescue skills in moving water as well as do precision stroke work to hone your technique to maximize efficiency in all conditions. BCU 3 Star Syllabus
BCU 3 Star Sea Assessment - Demonstrate that you have the skills to be a competent member of a group in moderate conditions. Skills include precision boat control with strokes that are efficient and technically correct, boat control in bumpy water, surf zone launching and landing skills, individual and buddy rescue, navigation, and route planning. BCU 3 Star Syllabus
Here is LFK's 2012 BCU course offerings. Call us to register for a training or assessment (707) 962-1623. We will schedule additional training and assessments when we have 4 or more paddlers interested so please contact us with your interests.
2012
January 27 BCU 3 Star Sea Training in Bodega Bay 9am-4pm $110/person/day
March 3 BCU 2 Star Assessment 9am-4pm $50/person*
March 4 BCU 3 Star Training 9am-4pm $110/person
May 19 BCU 3 Star Assessment 9am-4pm $90/person*
September 8 BCU 3 Star Assessment 9am-4pm $90/person*
September 29 BCU 2 Star Assessment 9am-4pm $50/person*
September 30 BCU 3 Star Training 9am-4pm $110/person
*BCU Certification Fee is $10 upon passing for certification.
Precision Paddling
Why:
To improve, practice, and perfect your everyday paddling skills.
To become a more confident and competent paddler.
To perfect your paddling skills so that they will be automatic in moving water.
To practice specific strokes to move to more advanced paddling.
Who: If you are interested in venturing out to sea, surfing waves, viewing wildlife, running down white water rivers, or earning American Canoe Association (ACA) or British Canoe Union (BCU) Awards; practicing paddling perfection on flat water is necessary. Precision Paddling lessons are great for first time paddlers and seasoned veterans of all kayak disciplines – sit-on-top, sea, river, or surf kayaks.
What: A 2 hour class with on water instruction and application of paddling strokes. This class is also a great opportunity to self-assess your flat-water paddling proficiency.
Paddlers will learn and apply concepts and skills involved in:
Basic and advanced maneuvering skills
Forward stroke efficiency
Balance and bracing
When: Check the calendar.
How: Call (707) 962-1623 to reserve your spot or schedule a private session
How much: $20/person (punch cards and packages available)
*Gear Rental -
$20 for kayak, paddle, spray skirt, life jacket
$10 for wetsuit
Where:
Brent Reitz Forward Stroke Clinic
Forward Stroke Clinic
presented by
Brent Reitz
Why: Develop a more efficient forward stroke to make your paddling easier, effective, and more fun.
Who: Paddlers with basic through advanced sea kayak skills who want to improve the efficiency of their forward stroke.
What: A full day of specialized instruction on the kayak forward stroke including dry land drills, on water personalized instruction and video feedback taught by renowned kayak instructor, Brent Reitz.
When: June 2, 2012 8:30am-4:00pm
How: Call to reserve your spot as space is limited. (707) 962-1623
How much: $150/person using his/her own kayak and gear.
$175/person includes kayak and gear rental.
Where: Dolphin Isle Marina on the Noyo River Estuary, Fort Bragg, CA
