Paddle Articles

CP Explorations - Half Moon Bay 2 Monterey

CP Explorations - Half Moon Bay 2 Monterey
Cali Paddler Explores Half Moon Bay Pigeon Point, Ano Nuevo, Davenport, Santa Cruz and Montery Bay in its recent adventure paddler.

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CP Explorations - Avila to Jalama (Vandenberg or Bust)

Enjoy this recap of the 2022 California Coastline Adventure Paddle from Avila to Jalama along the Vandenberg Air Force Base. We encounter sea life, unexpected changes in wind directions, paddle over naval disaster sites, and notch off 55 miles of rugged amazing coastline!

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VHF Radio Demystified – The most important part of your paddle safety kit

Paddle VHF Radio Demystified
Many of us have come to paddling, whether it be kayak, SUP, surf ski, OC1 or OC6, from backgrounds other than traditional boating like power boats or sailing. Because of this you may not be familiar with the venerable marine VHF radio that has been the mainstay of the boating community since 1950. Advances in electronics have shrunk the size and cost of the VHF radio to a small hand held device that can be bought for under $100. For these reasons a handheld marine VHF radio should be in everyone's safety kit.

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CP Explorations - Half Moon Bay, Bolinas and a whole lot of in between

CP Explorations - Half Moon Bay, Bolinas, Santa BarbaraEPIC Adventures for a Cause 2020 - originally was SC2SF but it really ended up being a random collection of crazy fun paddles. Come along for a recap of the fun.

Another year, another stretch of new coastline to explore in my forever quest to explore the entire California state. This year, the plan and finishing route were nothing alike. In fact, for the days and hours leading up to it, we almost didn’t even go. You see Santa Cruz was one of many areas dealing with major fires. Families evacuated, homes and state parks burned, roads closed, and air quality bad enough to cause people to avoid being outside at all. So you can imagine our struggle of going up to the area for what was originally supposed to be a three day paddle from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. Would we take hotels from evacuated families, crowd roads that were needed for emergency vehicles? Impose on folks in a time that people were struggling to keep positive. So for this Epic Adventure for a Cause, I want to direct people to the Red Cross for the cause. Please visit https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/wildfire-relief.html to see how you can help those impacted and even the first-responders.

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CP Review - Garmin GPSMAP 86 Review for Paddlers

Garmin GPSMAP86 ReviewSafety is not something paddlers always equate with technology. We think of PFDs, leashes, and in some cases the all important marine radio. All of these are important for safe paddling, but there are many dangerous situations that can be helped by a little bit of tech.  Introducing the Garmin GPSMAP 86sci and 86i models. A high-end water-ready satellite communication device with GPS tracking, and emergency SOS beacon capabilities. So. Many. Features. We paddled over 90 miles along throughout California across 4 days, day and night, ocean and bay to put it through the test. Enjoy our review.

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CP Explorations - Monterey to Morro Bay

Monterey to Morro BayJoin us on a Cali Paddler Exploration journey along the Big Sur Coastline. 4 day, 120 miles from Monterey to Morro Bay. From socked in fog, to gorgeous sunny days. Hillsides, cliffs, dolphins and sea otters. Helpful tailwinds to horrible up-winds. And a finish for the ages!

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CP Explorations - Lake Perris

CP Explorations - Lake PerrisOften times when paddling the lakes of Inland Southern California you will be one of the only paddlers in the water. If you go early enough there is a good chance you could have some of the lakes to yourself.  Lake Perris is where I go when I need respite from this solitude. It is by no means like Mission Bay on a Sunday afternoon where one could jump their way to shore along all the 32” wide rental SUPS, but even when I have gone to Lake Perris at 6:00 am in 30/40 degree weather I have seen other craft on the water.  It is a meeting place for the long established Valley Wide Kayak Club, a super friendly group that usually does a 5ish mile paddle there on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It is the only Inland Lake I have ever seen an OC-1 on, or someone on a racing SUP, at least besides myself. Additionally, it is decidedly less windy than any of the mountain lakes like Silverwood or Big Bear...

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CP Exlorations: Big Bear Lake

Paddle Big Bear

Join us as we explore one of Southern California's most scenic lakes to paddle. Nestled among beautiful alpine backdrops and with a wonderful town beside it to quelch your post-paddle hunger, this SoCal Inland lake is as special as any place we have found. Take a gander with us the multiple launch spots, and great inside tips to ensure you have a great paddle experience here!

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Paddling 100 miles at the Cal 100

Cal 100 Paddle Race
Have you been curious about California longest paddle race? An amazing 100, 50 or 25 mile amazing river experioence? Join John Acosta as he shares with us his experience of this awesome race and event benefiting Rivers for Change.

"Last week, it was announced that registration was now open for the 2017 Cal 100 paddle.  Therefore, I figured it was probably about time for me to write about my experience there during the 2016 event and hopefully help others prepare for their trip down the river."

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California Surf Safari: 50 Years in the Making

During the South Florida summer of 1965, my boyfriend, Eddie, and I were on the waves every day. Summer waves in Hollywood, Florida were usually ankle-biters and mushy and we were too young to drive "up the coast" where the surf was better. Obsessed with surfing, we watched ENDLESS SUMMER, and every other surf movie that came to town. The Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet played on our radio. Our mantra became a quest to see every spot in the famous tune. "Surfin' USA." IN 2001 we moved to Oregon and in 2016 Eddie retired. We packed our boards and trailer and headed to: Del mar, Ventura County Line, Santa Cruz and Trestle... and down Doheny Way. We also hit San Onofre and Sunset, Redondo Beach, LA - and The Wedge.

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