Editor’s note: On-water communication can be challenging. When conditions are mild, communicating with your buddies is generally pretty easy, but add distance and it’s harder. Add wind, waves, boomers, and/or crashing surf and it can be almost impossible. Having a useful “sign language” to communicate effectively makes all the difference between a bunch of random […]
Whitewater Skills
Sacramento River Summer Solo
Backstory: In spring of 2021, Jeff Kay and Jason Montelongo offered an introductory two day clinic in Redding, CA, to prepare prospective participants for California River Quest. The first day was a basic intro to river dynamics and skills for paddlers. The second day was a paddle from Sundial Bridge in Redding to Rooster’s Landing, […]
Whitewater of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River
Editor’s note: This was an American Whitewater trip. AW is a national non-profit river conservation organization founded in 1954. AW’s mission is to protect and restore America’s whitewater rivers and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely. The organization is the primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the United States. […]
Slay, Ladies, Slay! The 2021 Womxn’s Holistic Paddling Clinic
On June 24 to 27 California Watersport Collective held their annual Womxn’s Holistic Paddling Clinic on the Rogue River. Best year yet, and it’s my fourth. I arrived a day early and set up camp. Met a buddy from a previous year and we sat by the river catching up and watching wildlife. Of note […]
Prepping for the CAL 100
Editor’s Note: Thanks to instructors Jason Montelongo and Jeff Kay and to all the paddlers who went down the river with me. It was a new experience and a very enjoyable one! Thanks too to Tom (canoeist) and John (sea kayaker) who offered support for our first day of instruction. What is the Cal 100? Actually, […]
Rolling With Covid-19
Editor’s Note: Much gratitude to my teachers Ashlee and Jon from Sundance Kayak School in Galice, OR; TR’s Jeff and Cate from Liquid Fusion in Ft. Bragg, CA; Jackie from Ashland, OR for the feedback; son Nick and brother-in-law John for taking videos; and niece Kasey, sister-in-law Patty, bro-in-law John, and TR Admiral Kakuk for the […]
Rolling on the Rogue! A Women’s Whitewater Clinic
Editor’s Note: This post covers the Womxn’s Holistic Paddling Clinic offered by California Women’s Watersport Collective in tandem with Sundance Kayak School of Galice in the Rogue Valley of Oregon that took place on June 18 – 21 this year. 2020 is my third year attending this event, and I’m so glad I showed up! […]
Whitewater of Jefferson State With CWWC Part Two
Editor’s note: A special shout out to Tsunami Ranger Capt. Jim Kakuk who was kind enough to go with me to the lake and take pics of me practicing skills since I was so busy practicing them during the clinic I didn’t get the photos I wanted. Thanks, Captain!!! This is the second part of […]
Whitewater of Jefferson State – Part One
In an effort to improve my ocean whitewater skills last year I got into whitewater paddling on the Rogue River with the California Women’s Watersports Collective. I had so much fun and learned so much that this year I continued the whitewater adventure by signing up for two clinics with CWWC, one on the Rogue […]
Crossing Over – Four Days Kayaking the Rogue River of Southern Oregon
Over the years Life beats us up. Not whining, just stating facts. Therefore, it is SO GOOD to be around women who remind me of my younger self: rowdy, boisterous, athletic, outdoorsy, a little bit raunchy, funny, fun, supportive, smart and creative, and that’s good because they show me how to live all over again. […]
The Combat Roll
by Tsunami Ranger John Lull While paddling south one day from Point Arena on the northern California coast, I spotted an inner passage through the sandstone cliffs, cut deep into the uplifted marine terrace. After exploring the passage for a considerable distance, it became obvious it would dead end up ahead, so I entered a […]
The Rashomon Effect: Sea Kayaking Variables in Perception
“Rashomon” is a 1950 movie directed by Akira Kurosawa. It involves a rape and a murder allegedly committed by the bandit Tajomaru, played by Toshiro Mifune. There are four witnesses: the bandit, the wife, the samurai, and the woodcutter. Each witness has a different perception of events. Any cop will confirm this is often the case: everyone […]
Whitewater River vs Ocean Whitewater
by John Lull Editor’s Note: This week, Tsunami Ranger and earth scientist John Lull ‘splains the difference between river hydraulics and water dynamics present in ocean rock gardens. At first glance the whitewater in ocean rock gardens looks very similar to a whitewater river. You’ll see waves, aerated rough water, rocks, currents, and swirling chaotic […]