When I got into SUP and SUP racing years ago and I saw how interwoven it was with outrigger, prone and surfski races I was a confused why kayaking seemed to be the eccentric loner uncle of the paddling world. I learned to sea kayak with my dad when I was 12, and taught sea and surf kayaking all through college. I even played kayak polo a handful of times, so to not see any kayaks in the SoCal paddling scene was completely outside of my paddling paradigm.
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Sea Kayaking - The greatest paddle craft you haven't tried...but should!
When I got into SUP and SUP racing years ago and I saw how interwoven it was with outrigger, prone and surfski races I was a confused why kayaking seemed to be the eccentric loner uncle of the paddling world. I learned to sea kayak with my dad when I was 12, and taught sea and surf kayaking all through college. I even played kayak polo a handful of times, so to not see any kayaks in the SoCal paddling scene was completely outside of my paddling paradigm.
Cali Paddler Explorations - Del Monte Beach Monterey
Cali Paddler is stoked to continue its exploration and mapping of amazing places in our state to paddle. We welcome back Team Writer Bret Warner as he explores this gem in Monterey Bay...Del Monte Beach
The first place I ever paddled was Del Monte Beach right in front of Monterey Bay Kayaks. OK, that’s actually not true, it was on the Rogue river in an inflatable kayak, but my dad and I loved it so much we signed up for an Intro to Sea Kayaking class the day we got home. At ten years old, I had no idea what a special place I was getting to paddle. It is protected from surf so knowing how to launch and land in the surf is not a requisite for paddling there. I know that some of us salivate with desire at launching/landing/playing/cavorting in the surf, but sometimes you need the calm start as well. It is also solidly in a Marine Sanctuary so seeing seals, sea lions and sea otters is a regularity and not an anomaly. Also, if the wind picks up it will almost assuredly be at your back once you turn around, and you can hug the coast enough on the way out that paddling upwind won’t affect you too adversely.
30th Annual Santa Cruz Paddlefest, Incoming!
Cali Paddler is honored to have Teresa Rogerson share with us her stoke about the amazing upcoming event Santa Cruz Paddlefest. An event this special in its history and the paddle diversity it encourages, deserves our attention. As does a proper recognition of waveski, surf kayak, all the pioneering craft and paddlers that have brought us to this 30th anniversary! Don't know about these amazing paddle craft? Learn more here! And to really appreciate them...come out to the event! It is 4 days of EPIC (March 17-20)!
California's Best Places to Paddle - The Bucket List of Top Paddles
The 7 Wonders of the (Cali Paddler) World! We are big fans of paddling in our amazing state. And over time, we have found there to be certain paddles that are so amazing, that everyone should have them on their bucket list. So, with New Year's resolutions and inspiration always being shared, we decided to come up with this list.
The places listed are amazing, and something only paddlers can experience. For each one we reached out to a local expert in the region to get tips and insight so that when you launch to check it off your list, you have a positive experience. Enjoy, and be sure to thank each person below and visit their websites.
Help help where’s my ama? (An outrigger paddler tries surfski)
I had the most crazy nightmare. I was out on my outrigger canoe. Looked up at the sky for a second, and next thing I knew when I looked down, my ama was no longer there! Gone. Not there! I panicked that my paddle crutch was gone. Promptly huli’d. And woke up in a cold sweat!
They call them surfskis, and I found it was time I give these speed demons a ride! I mean after all, I have yet to find a paddle craft I didn’t like. Why would this not also be awesome? And beside, trying my luck with my oc1 in the shallows without its ama for 'fun' was mostly just 'wet' (the fun was had by those on the beach laughing at me).
Post Paddle Pains
Here is a brief recap of some of my favorite pains over the years that I hope you can all empathize with. Not every race or long practice hurts. But some do. Some paddles are 6 hours on the water. Or non-stop intervals until its dark and you can't see. Some are fighting a headwind, jumping out of a chase boat 10 times or pushing yourself way more than you ever have as you are inspired by your teammates. Loading heavy boats, boards, and gear. Some of the paddles are sneaky-oooph....as in, "wow, I didn't think I would be this sore". Some, you know you are in for a long 24 hours of pain. Allow me this therapeutic walk-through.
Cali Paddler Exploration: The Sacramento River
The Sacramento River Delta. also know as the California Delta is made up by the confluence of several rivers, the main rivers being; The Sacramento, the San Joaquin, the Calevaras and the Mokelumne with the Calaveras and Mokelumne being tributaries of the San Joaquin. Right now I will deal with what I know and write about paddling the Sacramento River.
Overcoming dangerous situations when you go for a paddle
There is occasionally a time where a paddle goes awry and we have to deal with a bad situation. Equipment failure. Crashing in the surf or rocks. Getting hurt. Who knows....but I thought it would be good to address some of the situations I have found myself in here and there, and share what I have found that kept me and others safe. In no way am I and authority on all of this, and of course invite everyone to contribute their knowledge so I can learn and be more safe too. Enjoy!
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