Kayaking in Northern California: Enthusiasts, Area Businessowners Tout Sport

Pristine rivers, unique canyons, forested wilderness, and an array of challenging courses to run. Those are just a few of the many reasons to go kayaking in the north state, says Michael Kirwin, owner and operator of Osprey Outdoors Kayak School in Mount Shasta.

"The Salmon, Scott, Upper Sacramento, Klamath, and the Trinity are all rivers that offer superb whitewater kayaking experiences," Kirwin said.

The scenery is not the only reason for a trip down any of the rivers in Northern California. The north state also offers several options for kayakers of different skill levels. Beginners to experts, kayakers of any experience can find the run for them here. The classes of difficulty, from one (calm waters) to six (roaring rapids), can all be found here in Northern California.

"You can find all levels of kayaking on the rivers in this area, from beginner to expert," said Kirwin. "Sections (here in Northern California) that compete with the finest rivers in the world."

"Some of the most challenging runs in the country are right here in Northern California," said John Yates, owner of Shasta Climbing and Paddle Sports in Redding. "Right in our backyard."

The upper Sacramento River is a popular area for all classes. There are sections for beginners, intermediate and advanced, according to John McDermott co-owner (with wife Chantal) of River Dancers in Mount Shasta. There are also beginner sections on the Klamath River, McDermott said.

The section of the Sacramento River that flows through Dunsmuir is a good area for those in the intermediate skill level, McDermott also noted. Another intermediate section of the upper Sacramento is the Sims Runs, which goes from Sims to Gibson and can continue on to Pollard Flat or even to Lamoine, Yates said.

Burnt Ranch Gorge on the Trinity River offers one of the classic hard class-five runs in the country, Yates said. The south fork of the Salmon River is a classic river with difficult rapids, Kirwin said. Another run for the more experienced is Box Canyon, right below Siskiyou Dam, on the upper Sacramento River. The Box Canyon section involves rapids that are class four and higher. This section of the river leads to the nearby Mossbrae Falls, a moss-covered spring that showers into the river, and a kayak provides a unique view of the waterfall.

"It's a great area. Lots of rivers and creeks, lots of water," said McDermott.

Kayaking is a fun and exciting sport, said Kirwin. It can offer so many different experiences depending on many variables: The kayaker, the river, the class of difficulty, and the company.

"The excitement, the comradary with friends. Being in beautiful, natural surroundings," Kirwin said. "It's exciting and fun."

"It's an interesting way to be in an outdoor environment," Yates said. "I just want to be on the river."

Being on the river can mean different things to different people. Some enjoy the serenity of class one to two runs; some enjoy the adrenaline rush of class five to six runs. For many it's just the love of the water.

"I love being on the water and being out in nature," said McDermott. "Going down the river is a unique way of seeing nature and wildlife."

"Kayaking is a great sport, I recommend it to everybody," McDermott said. "There are very simple steps to learn how to do it."

Kayaking requires much of the same as other outdoor sports: Strength, flexibility, energy, alertness, and lots of skill. It takes practice and experience to become an expert and there are plenty of instructors in the north state to help beginners learn.

"Proper paddling strokes and concepts and safety techniques," Kirwin explained are the most important things to learn. Kirwin's Osprey Outdoors Kayak School in Mount Shasta offers lessons for those interested in taking the plunge. Classes are also offered at local colleges and several local businesses including River Dancers owned by McDermott, offer trips that give valuable learning experiences.

"You have to know the environment you're in," Yates said. Knowing the river is key to a successful run. "It's important that you have proper instruction in whitewater boating because it's potentially dangerous."

"Beginners need to be aware," Kirwin said. "If people are careless, the river can be ruthless."

Carelessness and attempting runs above the skill level of the kayaker are the lead reasons for injury or death on the river, said Yates.

"Carelessness will hurt you on the river," McDermott said.

The American Canoe Association is one of the most recognized groups that teaches the sport of kayaking. The association offers advice, information, resources and suggestions for all levels of kayakers. They also can help someone receive kayak certification as an instructor.

"They are the most organized and focus on the components of teaching," said Kirwin. "It is the most organized, most experienced association with paddle sports in America."

"Be sure to check with local paddle shops or clubs to get advice what rivers would fit your paddling abilities, like the Shasta Paddlers," Kirwin said.

John Googins of Mount Shasta started boating in Northern California during the 1960s and is one of the first people that kayaked the upper Sacramento in the Box Canyon section before the Siskiyou Dam was built, according to Yates. He paddled down to a meadow by Lake Siskiyou. He was one of the first people to go kayaking in northern California, Yates said. The boating community grew a lot in the north state in the 1980s, Yates said, but stayed somewhat the same in the 1990s. Now, the boating community in this area is beginning to grow again, he said, primarily due to young adults learning the sport. Although, according to Yates, the newest generation of kayakers/boaters is different.

"It has changed since the baby boomers, it was more adrenaline rush and now it's more of a social thing," said Yates. "The whole dynamics around outdoor sports has changed, not that it's good or bad, but it's different."

The newest enthusiasts of the sport are more likely to go with a large group of friends to an area where they can put-in and take-out at the same location, said Yates.

"They take their play-boats to the play-hole. They do tricks...it's like skateboarding," Yates explained. "It's definitely drawn (in) the kids."

"When I put into the river, I always say, 'One thing I've always done is never had too much fun' which is from Commander Cody," said Kirwin.