SPRING RUSH

Waterfalls are exciting because they have power, they have rainbows, they have songs, and they have boldness and craziness! ---Mehmet Murat ildan

Paddling up the narrow creek that feeds Lake Jenkinson at Sly Park Recreation Area, this past weekend, we heard the sound like a rush wind coming through the trees. As we approached the small wooden footbridge over the water that clamor had turned into a rumble. Beaching our kayaks and walking along a short trail that reverberation steadily became louder and louder as we follow the path along the stream. Following the roar, we turn the corner and were rewarded with a crescendo of thunderous of white noise. Sly Park Falls are gushing again.

Area waterfalls, like the one at Sly Park, are flowing with spectacular majesty this spring. This year's extra wet winter and spring have increased water levels and river flows across Northern California providing awe-inspiring beautiful views of these cascades.

Located at the far east end of the lake, this bubbling man-made waterfall is always a popular destination for those visiting the park by either hike or paddle. Flowing from a pipe, the falls are only about 33-feet high as they drop into a translucent pool of water. It's just a brief stop before the water rushes on down to the lake.

The pool beckoned the folks in my group from Bayside Adventure Sports to dip their toes and maybe even wade. But at this time of year, the water temperatures proved to be just a little bit chilly for most of us. We have to settle for the fresh and rejuvenating coat of cool mist spraying up from moss covered rocks. Science tells us that waterfalls like this one can really help you relax with all the negative ion-rich oxygen in the air to breathe. We don't need to know how it works, we just welcome the calming effect taking over. Maybe that's why we found it so hard to return to our kayaks and to the lake. There is no need to rush now.

What to go...Sly Park Paddle Rentals will be open on weekends 9 AM to 5 PM throughout the summer. Slip away on to the lake by renting a single or tandem kayak, canoe or standup paddleboards and spend the day fishing, finding a swimming beach or taking a sentimental trek around the bend to Sly Park Falls.
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Rescue Rush

Courtesy of Jacksonville Police Dept.

There has been a spring rush of first responders in Ohio, Michigan, North Dakota, Missouri and in San Francisco Bay have rescuing boaters after capsizing their boats this year.
According to NBC Bay Area TV, a pair of kayakers, in the bay incident, called 911 in the and told authorities that their kayak tipped over, leaving them floating in the water with the help of their life jackets but still in need of being rescued. Roughly two hours a CHP helicopter spotted the kayakers bobbing in the water. The helicopter crew alerted first responders in the water of the kayakers' location, leading to a successful rescue.
But in Jacksonville, it was kayaker Jeffrey Rancour who is credited to pulling the pilot of a downed seaplane to safety after it flipped into the water near the Arlington area during a sudden storm.
"He was out of the water on his plane already and we just paddled back to shore," Rancour told First Coast News Television, "Yeah, I’m glad that I was there.”

Spring Break
Paddle along European waterways for free all while helping the environment. GreenKayak, a Denmark-based nonprofit allows people to kayak for free if they pick up trash and clean up the rivers and lakes in the cities of Hamburg, Bergen, Dublin, and Copenhagen. Paddlers can use a two-person sit-on kayaks free of charge, in exchange for collecting waste on the surface of the water.

Courtesy of GreenKayak

The project began in Denmark in April 2017, where, with the help of a thousand kayak volunteers, three tons of trash was collected from Copenhagen harbor that year (11 tons to date). The goal was to expand to other cities and waterways.
Tobias Weber-Andersen, GreenKayak founder and CEO, told USA Today, "In Denmark, people hang out on canals and eat pizza and unfortunately see trash floating by,” “You can’t take your shirt off and jump in, but you can get in a GreenKayak and make an impact.”

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PADDLING THE DELTA

Photos Courtesy of Kathy Bunton

By Outside Adventure to the Max Guest Blogger Kathy Bunton

What makes paddling the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, AKA the California Delta, so special?
I'll try my best to answer that question in hopes you'll take it upon yourself to come and experience it on your own or with myself on a guided tour.

I'll begin with a little background information. The California Delta is unique in that it is an inland inverted delta. What that means is that it's not your typical delta where a single source of water flows to or through a narrow opening and then fans out depositing sediment. Our California Delta is fed by many rivers and streams and encompasses an area from Sacramento to the north, Tracy to the South and Stockton to the east. All waters come together at the Carquinez Strait where it continues to the San Francisco Bay and out the Golden Gate to the Pacific Ocean.

The California Delta is the largest estuary on the west coast of the Americas. It encompasses an area of over 1100 square miles which include over 50 major islands and hundreds of smaller ones. There are endless paddling opportunities whether kayaking, paddleboarding or canoeing. One thing I love about the Delta is that every day it's different. You can paddle the same spot every day of the year and you'll experience a difference in how it looks and feels each day. You'll have diverse animal encounters whether it's viewing countless species of waterfowl or a chance meeting with a family of river otters, the Delta never disappoints.  Viewing wildlife from a kayak is a unique experience. You become part of the river as there is no way to get closer to the water unless you swim. Your soundless movement over the surface of the water allows you to get a glimpse of the wild as it truly is. It's an amazing experience to feel solace and tranquility while being surrounded by nearly 7 million people in the Bay Area.

With so many paddling options where do you start? Because I am completely biased, I'd suggest Antioch. With Antioch being a designated San Francisco Bay Water Trail site it makes launching a breeze with the kayak launches available at the Antioch Marina. If you don't have your own kayak you can always rent from Delta Kayak Adventures where I will offer suggestions and tips based on weather and tides for the best possible experience. You can search my blog here for trips I've posted on paddling from Antioch. I will continue to add trips as time goes on. Beginning your trip from an SF Bay Water Trail site is a great choice because that site has been determined to be human powered craft friendly.

There are currently 4 SF Bay Water Trail designated sites within the "legal" delta with more additions planned. They include Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley, the Antioch Marina, Pittburg Marina and Riverview Park in Pittsburg, though Riverview is more practical for kiteboarders. There are also 2 sites in Suisun, not considered to be a part of the legal delta but another beautiful area to explore. My hope is that someday the SF Bay Water Trail will link to the Great Delta Trail which is in its planning stages.

Another reason the California Delta is such a special place to paddle is that it can be paddled year round. With proper gear and attire, you can enjoy a cool winter paddle and view migratory birds visiting our area. When the summer winds pick up, you can surf the swells on the San Joaquin or find secluded islands and smaller sloughs to explore that are protected from the wind. In spring you can see hundreds of egrets and heron raising their young. Fall brings new winged visitors to our Delta and is my favorite time of year to paddle.

The Delta is an exceptional place to fish. Kayak fishing is another way to enjoy time on the water. You can fish for Salmon during the fall, black bass, striped bass, bluegill and crappie year round. If you want a sleigh ride you can try your luck at targeting sturgeon. The Delta is known as a world-class fishery with many tournaments and festivals throughout the year. Delta Kayak Adventures offers guided fishing tours or fishing kayak rentals throughout the region.

Delta Kayak Adventures is a Mom owned small business. My children are often at my side ensuring our client's safety on the water. We offer kayak and paddleboard rentals, guided tours, classes and use high-quality equipment to ensure a good time on the water. Our classes include an Intro to Kayaking or Paddleboarding 2-hour class to get the basics and safety down and to give you the chance to see if kayaking or paddleboarding is a sport you want to pursue. We also offer more in-depth sea kayaking classes that are a full day of learning and having fun on the water. Rescue classes are offered to ensure you can safely re-enter your kayak in real-world conditions. We offer private group tours throughout the Delta region and discounted trips for veterans and their family. Rentals are available from the Antioch Marina 7 days a week and you can choose to rent for an hour, half day or full day.

I invite you to come and explore the Delta with me. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Kathy Bunton is the owner and operator of Delta Kayak Adventures based in Antioch, California.  You can keep up with Bunton in her blog Kayaking in the California Delta.  

Outside Adventure to the Max is always looking for guest bloggers. Contact us at Nickayak@gmail.com, if you are interested.

 

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