LA River Kayaks

My 6 year old son and I were looking for adventure and found Mike and his Kayaks near the skateboard park in frog town. We were quickly in the water with all the gear and had the time of our lives. Who knew that you could have so much fun in the LA river?! The water is not the dirty toxic sewage pit you think — It now required by law to be clean– cleaner, in fact, than most of the rivers in the local mountains. What an awesome time! Thanks!

I fell in the LA River! I’ll just let that sink in for a second…
If that grosses you out… well yah… it grossed me out too! BUT if you think that I would be growing tentacles or glowing bright green, you’d be wrong! At least, not yet…
For those who aren’t aware, 2013 was the second year the Army Corps of Engineers allowed kayaking on the «naturalized» portions of the Los Angeles River. The first year they partnered with the LA Conservation Corps over at the Sepulveda Basin. Incredibly, they sold all the available spots in a half hour. Wow!
The second year, the expanded the program, gave the program to three competing kayak groups and moved the program to a section known as the Glendale Narrows.
My adventure took me out with co-​workers on a Monday. The Glendale Narrows are sort of where the 5, 2, and 110 freeways come together. Because of hydrologic pressure, this is the part of the river that we could not concrete. It is not where we filmed the Terminator nor is it where we filmed Greese. It looks kind-​of like a river. When you get up close and are on a kayak, you can remove the «kindof».
As I understand it, LA River Kayaks are probably the loosest of the three groups taking people on the river. They basically gave us the equipment, had us sign some waivers and said they would pick us up on the other side. Since there are like, two signs the whole trip, not very reassuring, but whatever. Luckily, my coworker know what she was doing and where we were going.
Kayaking itself is tricky. If you don’t pick up on the whole steering thing, you’ll probably run into the reeds. Also, the LA River isn’t very deep in spots, so you’ll get stuck on the bottom. Surprisingly though there are rapid-​like spots to make it interesting along the way.
While we were floating down the river, I actually saw a fish and I didn’t look closely, but I’m pretty sure it didn’t have three eyes. (Simpsons reference. Anyone? Anyone?). I also saw large birds like Egrets and Corianders. I heard loud frogs. There was nature, by gone it! I also saw a guy freak out when he saw us turn the corner — not because we had kayaks — but because his off-​leash pit bull was treading water and we were heading toward him! Ah, the modern uses of the river!
My take-​away:
The new kayaking programming on the LA River isn’t for everyone, but it IS for those who have an intense curiosity. It IS for those who want a new adventure. It IS for those who understand that the water upstream from Glendale narrows is actually treated and NOT sewage. It IS for those who want a chance to see nature up close. It is a unique experience and I will check it out next year.
I just really hope to be able to steer better!

A friend of mine rented from these guys for him and his wifes second year anniversary and loved it. Said better than taking a tour. Be prepared to get wet though.