I booked a special little kayak excursion with my friend for my birthday this year. I am not exaggerating when I say it was one of the most special experiences I have ever had.
It was legitimately more incredible than I could have imagined. No hassle finding/renting/hauling gear, as Erik did all of that and set everything up before we got there. He was friendly, fun, and even took pictures and videos of us in action. He has SO MUCH knowledge about the history and ecosystem -- honestly, probably more than any other human given that he is a native who grew up in the area, a kayak EXPERT, and someone who takes his job seriously ... and apparently loves the region enough to be intellectually curious about everything. And I mean EVERYTHING.
I think perhaps the most useful aspect that Erik offers is his specific knowledge of Jenner ... where the Russian River flows into the ocean. While it is special for that intersection, it is notoriously tricky -- dangerous even, due to tide changes and hidden peril. Erik took it upon himself to figure out the daily conditions and track the water level and wind speeds. Because of this, he could map out a route to capitalize on conditions, minimized the physical exertion, and kept us safe.
Long story short, do not hesitate to book! I guarantee that you won't regret it.
