Mendocino Coast Kayak Adventures in 2021

Family kayaking fun on Fort Bragg’s Noyo River.

Greetings Friends of Liquid Fusion Kayaking,

We hope that you are hanging in there during these crazy times.  Thank you for your enthusiasm and support for LFK. One of the biggest lessons that we learned in 2020 was the need to be flexible. You may have noticed that we have not published a 2021 schedule.  Don't worry, we are still in business and plan to be teaching, guiding, and renting kayaks in 2021 and for many more years.

We are currently working on our spring and summer tour and rental schedule. We will have the tour schedule published and open for reservations by February 1, 2021.

Kayak Rentals on Fort Bragg’s Noyo River

Kayak Rentals on Fort Bragg’s Noyo River

We will officially be open for kayak rentals and tours May 1, 2021. Prior to May 1, we are scheduling private tours and private lessons.

Kayak Tours on the Noyo River and Mendocino Coast

Noyo Sea Kayak Tour

Explore the River, Harbor, and Ocean

Noyo Meander

Nature tour for all ages and abiliites

For 2021, we will be offering our Noyo Meander Tour, Noyo Sea Kayak Tour, and Custom Sea Kayak Tours. For maximum safety and fun, we are planning to offer all tours as private tours. We will have our schedule posted by February 1, 2021; however, you do not need to wait until February 1 to schedule a tour with us. Contact us with your dates and interests and we will schedule a fun adventure for you.

Kayak Lessons

Kayak Lesson on Noyo River

Ocean Kayak Lesson

In May 2020, we shifted to teaching private lessons instead of group classes and GUESS WHAT!?!? We saw our students progress faster and learn more in custom private lessons than in group classes. 

For 2021 and beyond, we are restructuring our programs to focus on private instruction for individuals, couples, and small groups.  Our personal favorite is teaching a small pod of paddlers with similar interests and skills to build their individual skills and skills as a paddling team. Contact us with your interests and let’s schedule a kayak lesson for you.

Do you have questions? Are you ready to schedule a tour or lesson? Contact us and let’s make plans to get you out on the water!

We look forward to sharing the magic of Fort Bragg, the Noyo River, Mendocino Coast, and Eel River with you. We are optimistic that 2021 is going to be an awesome year on the water. Make sure you get out there!

Cheers,

Cate and Jeff

Owners/Operators of Liquid Fusion Kayaking

Liquid Fusion Kayaking’s Dynamic Duo - Jeff and Cate

Mendocino Kayaking in 2020

Wahoo!  It's time to get excited about kayaking in Mendocino County.

Grab your calendar and let's plan to paddle and play in 2020!

Kayaking in the Redwoods on Fort Bragg's Noyo River

Whitewater Ocean Kayaking

Liquid Fusion Kayaking is an owner/operated instructional kayak company based in Fort Bragg, California. We teach sea kayaking, whitewater river kayaking, surf kayaking, rock gardening, and guide wildlife and nature history tours. If you haven’t kayaked in our Mendocino Waters, NOW is the time to make plans to get here. If you have kayaked in Mendocino before, then you know how awesome it is. Let us help you plan a new kayak adventure and help you share it with your family and friends.

Winter and Spring Mendocino Kayaking

Private Kayak Lessons

In the winter months, we are teaching kayak rolling and private sea, whitewater, and surf kayak lessons. This is also the best time of year to catch us in the office for planning adventures.

Whitewater Kayaking in Mendocino County

In the spring, Mendocino County’s Eel River is running. We teach classes and guide trips on the Eel. The Eel River is a gem in the spring with gorgeous, wilderness scenery. The Eel River offers lots of fun rapids and options for Class II and Class III whitewater and multi-day whitewater trips. Check out our Mendocino Whitewater Kayak Adventures.

Sea Kayak Classes and Mendocino Sea Kayak Club

In the late spring, kayakers can get ready for summer kayaking with our sea kayak classes and introduction to kayaking lessons. The Mendocino Coast is a beautiful place to build your sea kayaking skills. Join us for a private lesson, weekend class, or our Mendocino Sea Kayak Club. We guide sea kayak tours as well but recommend waiting until summer and fall when ocean conditions are usually best and sea bird nesting and seal pupping season is over.

Summer Mendocino Kayaking

Summer and early fall are typically the best seasons for kayaking on the Mendocino Coast.

Kayaking on the Noyo River

Spring and summer kayaking on the Noyo River delights all ages and abilities.  Treat yourself and your family and friends to a Noyo Meander where you will paddle under the lush canopy of the riparian and redwood forest to a song bird symphony.  Our Noyo Meander is an idea first kayak trip.  If you want to try out kayaking or get a friend or family member hooked on kayaking, do a Noyo Meander with us.

Whitewater Ocean Kayaking

Are you looking for a unique, Mendocino adventure?  If you are adventuresome, able to swim, and willing to get wet – Whitewater of the Sea is a one of a kind ocean kayaking adventure that will rock your world!  In 3 hours, we teach you basic ocean kayaking skills and guide you to kayak and play among the whitewater, waves, and rock gardens of the Mendocino Coast.  Conditions permitting, we will also kayak into sea caves.  This is a super fun kayaking adventure to share with your adventuresome friends and family members.

Mendocino Coast Sea Kayaking

If you want to try out sea kayaking without getting your feet wet, check out our Noyo Sea Kayak Tour.  This tour encompasses multiple ecosystems as we paddle on the Noyo River Estuary through the estuary, through the harbor, and out into the ocean.  We have several options for this trip – including joining one of our special tours and paddling your own kayak or a kayak tandem with a friend.  Or you can book a private Noyo Sea Kayak tour and customize the experience – including the option to ride in the front of a tandem sea kayak paddled by a guide.

The Mendocino Coast is a great place to learn to sea kayak and to build your sea kayaking skills.  LFK’s Cate Hawthorne and Jeff Laxier are internationally renowned sea kayak instructors.  They are the ideal instructors for building basics or learning kayak skills for rock gardens or surf.  Check out Liquid Fusion Kayaking’s Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Series that includes focused rock gardening and surf classes.  Or join LFK’s Mendocino Sea Kayak Club for ongoing learning and fun.  Custom and private sea kayak lessons and Mendocino sea kayak tours are also available.

Fall Sea Kayaking on the Mendocino Coast

Fall is one of the best months for sea kayaking on the Mendocino Coast. We have a bit of flexibility in our schedule for custom sea kayak tours and adventures in the fall – Mendo Your Way!  Grab your calendar and let’s schedule a magical Mendocino sea kayak adventure.

We are excited about 2020 and look forward to sharing the waters, wildlife, and wonders of Mendocino with you.  Let’s plan an adventure together!

Cheers, Cate and Jeff

Winter Has Arrived

The Endless Summer of 2019 has ended and winter has begun on the Mendocino Coast.

Due to the unseasonably warm and dry weather, we extended our Noyo Meander tour season into the fall. Kayakers who came out with us this fall were treated to the gorgeous colors, reflections, tranquility, and wildlife of the Noyo River in fall. Most days, we were the only people kayaking on Fort Bragg’s Noyo River. We definitely weren’t the only life though. Winter migratory ducks have arrived. The coho salmon have started migrating up the river to spawn. The salmon migration attracts the usual crew of harbor seals and river otters and this year a bald eagle has been cruising along the Noyo.

The remainder of the fall will continue to be beautiful and full of life on the Noyo; however, we are ending our Noyo Tours for the season. Come kayak with us on the Noyo next spring and summer when the Noyo is green and the days are warm and long.

For the Winter of 2019 - 2020, we will be offering kayak instruction. Sea kayak, whitewater river kayak, surf kayak, and kayak rolling lessons are available by private appointment after January 1. We have our tandem sea kayaks all spiffed up and will be available for custom sea kayak tours.

Contact us if you would like to schedule a private lesson or custom tour with us this winter.

Cheers,

Cate and Jeff

Whitewater of the Sea

Ocean kayaking on the Mendocino Coast of California is amazing.

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On super calm days, you can explore miles of rocky coastline and sea caves. BUT - the truth is that super calm days are few and far in between. When developing a tour to share the magic of ocean kayaking on the Mendocino Coast, we realized that more days were on the sporty side than the mellow side.

We like sporty!!! In 2009, we launched our Whitewater of the Sea Mendocino Ocean Kayak Adventure.

Whitewater of the Sea - aka - kayaking in ocean rock gardens. On the Mendocino Coast, Liquid Fusion Kayaking has created a unique and fun 3 hour whitewater of the sea adventure for beginning through advanced kayakers. This is a great introduction to rock gardening and a fun way to play in the waves, sea caves, and whitewater in the ocean.

LFK’s Whitewater of the Sea is a 3 hour ocean kayak adventure playing in the rock gardens and whitewater features of the Mendocino Coast. No experience is necessary and some of our best participants are first timers. Seasoned paddlers are amazed at how much they get to do and experience with us in such a short period of time. One or our secrets is using highly maneuverable whitewater kayaks. We have sit on top kayaks for those who do not know how to do a kayak roll and whitewater river runners for seasoned paddlers with a reliable roll.

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Earlier this summer, we had international traveler and adventurer Kyle Mulinder aka Bare Kiwi join us for a whitewater of the sea adventure. He is a sea kayak guide in New Zealand and was keen to experience an ocean kayaking experience where the instructors take their students into the rocks rather than avoiding them. Kyle had a blast and shared that LFK’s Whitewater of the Sea Adventure was the highlight of his California tour and one of his top 5 adventures to do globally - Thanks Kyle! That’s a huge compliment. Read more about Kyle’s California trip and see his gopro video on this site.

So what are you waiting for? Get yourself to Fort Bragg on the Mendocino Coast of California for a

Liquid Fusion Kayaking Whitewater of the Sea Adventure.

If you are on the timid side or not 100% sure that whitewater of the sea is for you, you can schedule it as a private/custom event. If you are adventuresome and ready for some ocean whitewater - use this link to book your trip.

Need more convincing? Here is a video from a recent whitewater of sea adventure with a family celebrating their mom’s special birthday.

Yinz kids from Central PA celebrating their mom's special birthday with an ocean kayak rock gardening and sea cave adventure on the Mendocino Coast of California.

New Mendocino Kayaking Videos

If a picture says a thousand words, what does a video say?

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Liquid Fusion Kayaking’s Cate Hawthorne hops out of her kayak to climb on the rocks to shoot video for Liquid Fusion Kayaking’s new Mendocino kayak videos. Photo by Jeff Laxier

For 2019, Liquid Fusion Kayaking is stepping up their media with more video of their Mendocino kayak adventures. The first part of this process has been revamping LFK’s YouTube Channel - check it out and be sure to subscribe to see more from us.

It is hard to believe that we created our first Mendocino sea kayaking and rock gardening videos 10 years ago in 2009. Video quality and expectations have come a long way. As you peruse our updated playlists, you can watch some of our older videos. In our opinion, they are oldies but goodies. Take a look and let us know what you think.

The current goal for our YouTube Channel is to share fun, authentic videos of our kayak adventures on the Mendocino Coast and Eel River. We are working on a plan to add instructional content in the future. To see our unedited clips and what we are currently up to, check out Instagram and Facebook.

But without further ado - check out our 2 newest Mendocino Kayaking Videos. They are only 1 minute long. Turn on the sound.

Mendocino Kayaking Adventures

Kayak tours and classes on the ocean and rivers of Mendocino with Liquid Fusion Kayaking. Dry and Mild Kayak Eco-tours on the Noyo River, Wet and Wild Sea Kayak and Whitewater Adventures on the Mendocino Coast and Eel River.

Whitewater of the Sea

We hope that you enjoy the videos. Please let us know what you think.

Cheers - Cate and Jeff

The Scoop

Do you subscribe to Liquid Fusion Kayaking’s monthly newsletter?

If not, don’t miss out - click here to subscribe.

Subscribe to Get the Scoop -

1. What is happening on the waters in Mendocino County? In our recent newsletter, we shared the effects of our wet and wild winter of 2019.

2. Tips and skills to become a better paddler - Kayak instructors Jeff Laxier and Cate Hawthorne share some of their top tips.

3. Inspiring photos - we share photos from our recent kayak adventures and photos to inspire you to plan kayak adventures (with or without us - we want you to get out and enjoy the water)

4. Be the first to know about LFK new classes and events and specials (including kayak and gear sales)

5. A monthly reminder to get out and paddle - if you can’t get out on the water, dream about getting out on the water

6. We get excited every time someone signs up for our newsletter. When people sign up to receive our newsletter or interact with our monthly newsletter, it motivates us to keep producing and sharing informative posts and inspiring photos.

7. We only send out 1 newsletter per month. We feel honored to have you subscribe and will never share your information.

Don’t miss out - Sign UP - NOW to get the Scoop!!!

Kayak Mendocino and Fort Bragg in 2019

Grab your calendar and start planning to kayak on the Mendocino Coast and Northern California Whitewater Rivers with us in 2019!  

Liquid Fusion Kayaking's class schedule is now live.  We have lots of fun planned for sea kayaking, whitewater river kayaking, surf kayaking, rock gardening, and family kayaking fun.

Sea kayaking in the rock gardens of California's Mendocino Coast.

Sea Kayaking - Waves, wildlife, and wonder - the Mendocino Coast continues to enthrall all who travel here. Let us share the magic with you!  From kayak 101 to advanced level coastal exploration and rock gardening, we have fun and exciting adventures for all skill levels.  Join one of our Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Courses or rally your paddling pals for a custom adventure in the sea, surf, or rocks!

Riding a pour-over on the Mendocino Coast with Liquid Fusion Kayaking.

Whitewater River Kayaking -Winter and Spring, we are on the river! Get in on the fun with one of our March or April classes or rally your paddling pals for a custom trip with us on the Eel or another Northern California River.  Whitewater river kayaking is a great way to build sea kayak skills and explore new areas.

Whitewater river kayaking class on Mendocino's Eel River. Scouting exercise including sending in the probe.

Summer and Fall, get salty with our Whitewater of the Sea - whitewater kayaking, rock gardening and surfing in the sea.

LFK's Jeff Laxier uses a Sea Boof to style this ride.

First time kayaker get a taste for rock gardening with Liquid Fusion Kayaking.

Surf Kayaking - Surf is up year round on the Mendocino Coast.  Let us ratchet up your surf skills and fun in one of our surf classes.  Or let us create a custom lesson or safari for you in the craft of your choice - sea, whitewater, or surf kayak.  For those that like long boats, check out our Sea Kayak Surfpedition.

Surf kayaking lessons and classes on the Mendocino Coast of California.

Rolling - Learn to roll or tune-up your roll with Liquid Fusion Kayaking.  Year round, we are available for rolling lessons in the pool.  Or dial in your Sea Roll or River Roll with us.  Contact us to schedule your custom rolling lessons. 

LFK's Jeff Laxier teaches the kayak roll on the Mendocino Coast.

We still have space for your custom sea, whitewater, or surf kayak adventure or training.  Drop us a line if you have something in mind - maybe an intermediate/advanced Mendocino sea kayak adventure, a multi-day overnight river trip, or surf safari?

Kayak camping on the Eel River

Stay tuned for special new events!!! We have a couple in the works - Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to be the first to know!!!

Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino 5 Day

We are excited to announce that we have just added a 5 day Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Adventure.  LFK's 5 Day Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino will be September 24-29, 2018 and is designed for intermediate/advanced paddlers who want to paddle and play in rock gardens and surf.  This adventure is actually scheduled over 6 days so that you can enjoy the best of the Mendocino Coast including an off the water day.  This is a great opportunity to see "off the beaten paddle" stretches of the Mendocino Coast.

Kayaking in Mendocino in 2016

Greetings Friends of Liquid Fusion Kayaking,

We challenge you to make 2016 your year.  By taking time for ourselves, we become better able to care for others.  We all need that special getaway - whether it is a weekend paddle or a paddling vacation.  If paddling is your "thing" then we encourage you to get out and do it.

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Sea kayaking and exploring Mendocino's rock gardens, arches, and sea caves.

Of course, we would encourage you to "getaway" to the Mendocino Coast and join Liquid Fusion Kayaking for kayaking classes and events.  Here is why:

1.  The Mendocino Coast is a spectacular place to paddle!.  LFK's teaching environments on the Mendocino Coast include the community swimming pool, coastal estuaries, bays, rock gardens, and surf zones. Don't forget whitewater on the coast range.  The options for instruction are endless.  Most of our courses are 2 or more days because we find that you learn better when you can apply your learning immediately - especially under the trained eye and guidance of a coach. 

2..  Multi-day Classes - Bottom line is that students learn more when they have consistent practice.  We see progress during a class; however,  the skill development and confidence that we see over multiple days of instruction is exponential.  It gives students a chance not just to learn a skill but to own it.   We pace our multi-day classes to be fun and instructional.  With 2 or more days, we don't feel like we have to cram everything into one day.  Nor do you feel like you have to work super hard to learn it all.  Everything clicks nicely into place over a couple of days.

3.  Professional instruction and coaching.  All classes are taught by Jeff Laxier and/or Cate Hawthorne.  We are dedicated instructors who are always working to raise the bar in our teaching skills.  Yes, we do have a life but often a dinner conversation involves - "what if ," and the ideas explode and improved teaching tools are developed.  Once you have taken classes from us, we have a relationship.  Call or email us with questions . . . in the last week we have tele-coached students on boat outfitting, roll pointers, whitewater safety kit.  We have not only the skills and experience but the teaching skills and experience to help.

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Why we do it - Both of us feel a strong connection to nature and the outdoors.  Our goal is to provide fun, personal, interactive, and educational adventures that garner appreciation for wildlife, nature, and kayaking.  Why kayaking?  In different ways, we both fell into it (stories for another time).  However, we have found kayaking to be a great vehicle to explore and play in the outdoors and also a way to challenge ourselves and others.  Know that feeling of accomplishment when you learned a new skill or overcome a challenge?  Perhaps you succeeded on your own or perhaps you got that special help that helped you succeed  We view ourselves as that special help and enjoy helping others to learn new skills, appreciate nature, and conquer challenges. 

Liquid Fusion Kayaking's 2016 Classes

SEA Kayaking - Build a comprehensive sea kayak skill set with Liquid Fusion Kayaking's sea kayak programs.

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Sea Kayaking on the Mendocino Coast of California

BCU 3 Star Sea Kayak Trainings are available for you to build your sea kayaking skills - strokes, team work, rescues, and navigation in moderate water. The 3 Star Assessment is a good way to gauge your skills and to guide further skill development.

LFK's Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Series -  Rock Gardening and Surf zone Instruction is LFK's specialty.  We have developed a series of classes to teach specific rock garden and surf zone skills and to share our local knowledge of the Mendocino Coast. Join us for one or all of these specific instructional adventures.  This is a great opportunity to see different stretches of the Mendocino Coast that are not typically paddled by clubs and other outfitters and learn from the local paddling experts.  Saturday will be primarily instruction and Sunday will be skill application as we paddle, explore, and play on a stretch of the Mendocino Coast specific to the weekend's skill focus.  

May 14-15    Touring Ocean Rock Gardens - Learn to read the water, choose routes, and paddle in rock gardens as a team. 

June 11-12  Surf-zone FUN-damentals - Launch, land, and play in the surf with control and finesse.

July 9-10    The Art of the Pour-over - Perfect your timing and precision paddling to ride rock garden features like pour-overs.

August 13-14  Magical Mendocino Sea Caves - Tips, tricks, and sea cave exploration.

Want the whole series at once?  Sign up for our 5 day Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Adventure in September 2-6.

Private Lessons/Custom Tours - aka Mendo Your Way - Let us know what skills you want to work on or sights you want to experience, and we will design a custom adventure for you.  We do this for individuals as well as groups.

WHITEWATER - Enjoy the Challenge and Thrill of Whitewater River Kayaking

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Whitewater River Kayaking in Northern California

The regular pattern of precipitation that Northern California has been experiencing is exciting.  2016 is shaping up to be a great year for whitewater river kayaking.  The Eel River is flowing, and we anticipate having whitewater on it well into the spring.  The Eel is our backyard run, and we know it at its different flows like the back of our hand.  Let us share the fun, beauty, and excitement of whitewater kayaking on the Eel River with you.  Schedule a private lesson or custom run with us or join us on one of our scheduled whitewater classes or runs.

Are you a sea or surf kayaker interested in learning to run whitewater rivers?  If so, join us for our Whitewater Kayaking Class April 2-4.  This class is for intermediate kayakers who want to learn the skills for whitewater river kayaking.  Skills will include strokes specific to whitewater kayaks, hydrology, river running skills, rolling in current, and whitewater safety.

Whitewater of the Sea - aka rock gardening in whitewater kayaks - private lessons are available through May.  In May, we will have regular whitewater of the sea adventures available.  From adventurous beginners through advanced whitewater kayakers, whitewater of the sea is a fun and challenging adventure.

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Whitewater Kayaking in Ocean Rock Gardens on the Mendocino Coast

SURF - Planning across the green face of a wave is pure bliss!!!  Learn the tricks of getting onto that wave and carving turns on the wave with an LFK Performance Surf Class.  Many paddlers bumble about learning to surf by tagging along with others.  Don't risk developing poor habits . . . get surfing better sooner with instruction.

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Mendo Your Way - Let us know what skills you want to work on or sights you want to experience, and we will design a custom adventure for you, your paddling posse, or family.  From dry and mild to wet and wild in sea, river, and surf . . . the potential for fun is very high.  Contact us and let's do it!  Remember our special fall/winter private lesson rates are available through March.

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Custom Sea Kayak Tour on the Mendocino Coast

Get out your calendar out and start planning to kayak Mendocino in 2016!!!

Sea Kayak Classes on the Mendocino Coast

Summer is winding down, but Liquid Fusion Kayaking is winding up for sea kayak classes on the Mendocino Coast.

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Sea kayak rock garden instruction on the Mendocino Coast

Coming in September, we have our 5 day Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Series.  This summer we ran The Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino as a monthly series.  This Labor Day weekend, we  teaching it as a comprehensive 5 day class and also allowing people to select ala carte the courses that they want.  This gives paddlers the opportunity to customize their Mendocino sea kayaking experience.  For those interested in sea caves, we have a full class dedicated to sea kayaking in Mendocino's sea caves.  For rock gardeners, we have classes dedicated to rock gardening but also specifically playing in rock gardens (The Art of the Pour-Over).  Surfzone training is also a part of the series.  We still have a couple of spaces remaining so check it out and sign up so that you don't miss out.

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The Art of Pour-Overs - a class focused on rock garden play in sea kayaks

The second weekend, we are joining the Headwaters Kayak Shop and Headwaters Adventure Company for their Albion Bash Weekend.  We will be doing a presentation on Saturday Evening.  On Saturday, we will be teaching a rock garden safety and rescue class.  On Sunday September 13, we will be guiding a coastal exploration with rock gardening tour.  

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Sea kayak classes and tours in the Albion area of the Mendocino Coast

As we head into September, our daily schedule becomes more flexible for private lessons and custom tours in sea kayaking, whitewater river kayaking, rock gardening, and surf kayaking.   We call our custom trips - Mendo Your Way.   Dream up a Mendocino kayaking adventure and let's make it happen.

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Ladies sea kayak rock garden tour on the Mendocino Coast

As fall and winter approach, start making plans to join us for whitewater kayaking, surf kayaking, and our Whitewater and Surf Safari's.

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Whitewater river kayaking on Mendocino's Eel River

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Surf kayaking on the Mendocino Coast