Editor’s note: This post was written mostly by Cmdr. Michael Powers with additional text from Confessions of a Wave Warrior by Cmdr. Eric Soares and a little bit extra from Lt. JG Nancy Soares. Also edited by Michael’s wife, Nani Venegas. Photos provided by Capt. Deb Volturno, TRs Steve El Rey King and Michael Powers, […]
California Coast sea kayaking
Boats on the Brain
by Tsunami Captain Jim Kakuk and Lt. JG Nancy Soares Lt. JG Nancy: It was a celebratory weekend. I drove down to Guerneville on Friday to help with the setup. Capt. Jim and his lovely gal Patti were having a party, and what a bash it was! Jim and Patti had recently returned from an […]
Meet the Rangers: Captain Jim Kakuk!
By Captain Jim Kakuk and Lt. JG Nancy Soares Editor’s note: This post is first in a series of upcoming Meet the Rangers posts. The numbers of the Rangers have fluctuated over the years as people move in and out of the team due to time passages and life changes but there are usually about […]
Cover Blown at Thunder Cove – Tsunami Retreat 2018
Editor’s Note: This poem The Autumn Wind was written by former NFL Films President and co-founder Steve Sabol. The poem was first used for the Oakland Raiders’ official team yearbook film in 1974, of the same title. It also epitomizes everything that happened on the Rangers’ annual retreat this year. You can read the full […]
Whale Watching From a Kayak – Gray Whales in Trinidad Harbor
On May 8 I went kayaking with whales. Because it was a spur of the moment decision I didn’t go over to the coast and spend the night as I’ve done before so it was necessary to leave at about 3:30 am in order to get to Trinidad Harbor by 8. I love the drive […]
Kayaking Angel Island – It’s All About the Blueschist
By Nancy Soares and John Lull “The best way to study geology is by kayak” – Tsunami Ranger Capt. Tortuga You probably don’t know this, but Capt. Tortuga and Tsunami Ranger John Lull are geologists by trade. On Monday, April 9, John and I drove from his place in El Granada on the San Francisco […]
Tsunami Retreat 2017 Part 3 – Holy Shibooty! I Become a Tsunami Ranger
Capt. Kuk: It has been a long progression for Nancy over the last 22 years and even though she was always capable of gaining the skills to be a Ranger, she chose to keep some separation to give Eric space. Starting with her martial arts and fancy foot work playing hacky sack, Nancy has since added the […]
Tsunami Retreat 2017 Part One – The Wave in the Cave
Editor’s Note: So much happened during this retreat we’ve decide to make it a triplicity. This is Part One, The Wave in the Cave! From the Captain’s Log: The plan was to do about a 3 mile paddle in and set up camp before dark. Scott was in the lead; close behind came Don, Steve […]
SCRS – The Sea Conditions Rating System
My good friend Moulton Avery of the National Center for Cold Water Safety mentioned recently that perhaps it was time to revisit the Sea Conditions Rating System (SCRS) on this website. Since the sea is dangerous and unpredictable, I think he’s right, so here’s a post introducing the Sea Conditions Rating System. River kayakers have […]
Sea Kayaker’s Mind, Beginner’s Mind
In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few. Shunryu Suzuki The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence. Jiddu Krishnamurti Everything you know is wrong. Firesign Theater The ocean can change in a moment, especially in a rock garden, and when the shit hits […]
Why Do We Test New Rangers?
by Captain Jim Kakuk Why do we test new Rangers? I remember as a young scruffy kid hanging out with my friends down by the river in a tree fort. We were always coming up with big plans and scheming on who would get to join in our gang as there was always a need […]
Bird Watching From a Kayak: Princeton Harbor in Spring
I recently paddled around Princeton Harbor for the first time. I know it sounds crazy, but even after living and kayaking there for 12 years I never did that. I was always en route to the outside, to the swells along the jetty, to the surf in and around the lagoon, to Mushroom Rock, to […]
In Memoriam Eric Soares August 1, 1953 – February 1, 2012
Editor’s note: This is our annual tribute to one of the founders of the Tsunami Rangers. This year we reflect on how we do nothing of ourselves alone; without the earth, air, and water to support our physical bodies and the people we encounter in our lives who support our souls we could not be. […]