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!!!

November 2018 BCU 3 Star Sea Kayak Training and Assessment

The British Canoe Union (BCU) is the most recognized International governing body for paddlesports for both coaching and individual awarding systems.  In 2019, the BCU is moving away from its well established star system.

For those that want to earn the BCU 3 Star Sea Award, Liquid Fusion Kayaking’s Jeff Laxier will be coaching a 2 day BCU 3 Star Sea Training November 3-4, 2018 and offering the BCU 3 Star Sea Assessment November 5.

The BCU 3 Star Sea Award is known to be the hallmark of an intermediate paddler. Many outfitters including Liquid Fusion Kayaking use this award as a requirement for intermediate level trips. The BCU 3 Star Training is a comprehensive sea kayak training that includes strokes and rescue skills for moderate coastal waters, team work, surf zone launching and landing, and navigation skills.

Don’t miss out on the chance to earn this internationally recognized sea kayak certification.

2018 Mendocino Kayaking Adventures

Grab your calendars and plan to play with Liquid Fusion Kayaking in 2018.  We are especially excited about our Whitewater Kayak Classes and Trips on the Eel River, our Art of Sea Kayaking 101 classes, and Sea Kayak Rock Garden and Camping Trip.

Sea Kayaking - In 2018, we will be expanding our Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Programs for both beginner and advanced level paddlers.  Check out our Art of Sea Kayaking 101 Class and a 5 day Intermediate/Advanced Sea Kayak Rock Garden Adventure.  We will be continuing our monthly 2 day Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Series May - August.  BCU 3 Star Sea trainings and assessments and private lessons/custom tours will round out our sea kayak instructional program.

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Whitewater Kayaking Classes - LFK's 2018 river kayaking program starts in March with LFK's Precision River Running.   Precision River Running is for experienced whitewater kayakers looking to improve and expand their river running skills.  For sea kayakers and other paddlers who have a solid foundation of paddling skills and are looking to learn to run whitewater rivers, LFK has their Whitewater River Kayaking Class. LFK's systematic approach will build upon your current skills to give you the skills for running whitewater rivers.  LFK is also offering guided whitewater river runs.  These are scheduled on the Monday after our weekend classes for our students to apply their skills and enjoy a day of river running with us.  If we have a wet spring, check back with us as we are likely to add more whitewater classes.

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Surf Kayaking -  We have been excited about our students' success in our 2 day surf classes so we are offering more of these in 2018.  Whether you are learning the surfzone for the first time, learning to surf, or working on making moves on the wave; our 2 day surf classes are paced for maximum success.  With 2 days, you get different surf zone opportunities and a skill progression that builds on the previous day.  For those looking for specific skills, we have private surf lessons and safaris.

Rolling - We have a beautiful community pool and a flexible schedule.  If you want to learn to roll or need a rolling tune-up, we can help.

Mendo Your Way - Come see us to dial in your skills and play and explore the beautiful Mendocino Coast.

Our summer tour schedule is live and open for reservations. Our summer tours will include our family friendly Noyo Meander, our mellow evening wildlife tours - Sunset Bird Paddle, and our wet and wild Whitewater of the Sea Adventures.  We look forward to having you come play with us in 2018!

Best of days on the water,

Jeff Laxier and Cate Hawthorne

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.

2018 Mendocino Kayak Adventures

Sea Kayaking into Glass Beach on the Mendocino Coast.

Greetings Friends of Liquid Fusion Kayaking,

We are excited for 2018 and hope that you will join us on the water.

Here is a link to our latest newsletter highlighting our Mendocino kayak classes, tours, and adventures.  If you want to stay up to date with our adventures and get first dibs on our specials, sign up to receive our monthly newsletter.

Best of days on the water,

Cate and Jeff

Liquid Fusion Kayaking's owner/operator/instructors - Cate Hawthorne and Jeff Laxier

Liquid Fusion Kayaking News

Greetings Friends of Liquid Fusion Kayaking,

Do you want to know our latest news?  Get first dibs on specials and preview our upcoming classes?  Then make sure you check out and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Our next e-newsletter will come out August 14.

Cheers, 

Jeff and Cate

2017 Mendocino Kayaking Adventures

Grab your calendars and plan to play with Liquid Fusion Kayaking in 2017.  We have lots of fun adventures planned in Sea, Whitewater, Surf (and the pool).  We are especially excited about our 3 day Lost Coast Sea Kayak Camping Trip and our 4 day Eel River Kayak Camping Trip. 

Sea Kayaking - In 2017, we will be expanding our Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Programs to include 5 day Intermediate/Advanced Adventures.  We will be continuing our monthly 2 day Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Series May - August and offering our advanced beginner/intermediate 5 day Art of Sea Kayaking Mendocino Course over Labor Day Weekend.  BCU 3 Star Sea trainings and assessments and private lessons/custom tours will round out our sea kayak instructional program.

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Whitewater - LFK's 2017 river kayaking program starts in January with LFK's Whitewater River Kayaking Class.  This class is designed for sea kayakers and other paddlers who have a solid foundation of paddling skills and are looking to learn to run whitewater rivers.  LFK's systematic approach will build upon your current skills to give you the skills for running whitewater rivers.  The next class in our progression is Precision River Running.  Precision River Running is for experienced whitewater kayakers looking to improve and expand their river running skills.  LFK is also offering guided whitewater river runs.  These are scheduled on the Monday after our weekend classes for our students to apply their skills and enjoy a day of river running with us.

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Surf Kayaking -  We have been excited about our students' success in our 2 day surf classes so we are offering more of these in 2017.  Whether you are learning the surfzone for the first time, learning to surf, or working on making moves on the wave; our 2 day surf classes are paced for maximum success.  With 2 days, you get different surf zone opportunities and a skill progression that builds on the previous day.  For those looking for specific skills, we have private surf lessons and safaris.

Rolling - We have a beautiful community pool and a flexible schedule.  If you want to learn to roll or need a rolling tune-up, we can help.

Wilderness First Aid - Know how to help others in the wilderness.  LFK and the Mendocino Woodlands are hosting Bobbie Foster to teach a 16 hour course that includes a 3 year Wilderness First Aid Certification.

Mendo Your Way - We are running our private lesson and custom tour special November 2016-March 2017.  Come see us to dial in your skills and play and explore the beautiful Mendocino Coast.

In the spring we will be putting our summer tour schedule up.  Our summer tours will include our family friendly Noyo Meander, our mellow evening wildlife tours - Sunset Bird Paddle, and our wet and wild Whitewater of the Sea Adventures.  We look forward to having you come play with us in 2017!

Best of days on the water,

Jeff Laxier and Cate Hawthorne

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!!!