Cali Collective is a kayak school based in Northern California dedicated to generating and fostering a community of people who share a love of the water. Our mission is to empower all persons to be confident both on and off the water. We are a diverse group of people, from river guides and ski bums to corporate CEOs, teens and retirees, therefore our events span a broad range of activities, including whitewater kayaking, standup paddleboarding, sea kayaking and the occasional tubing trip. Our main goal is to create a space for everyone to have fun, learn new skills and meet friends. This is an all-inclusive organization!
Who we are
Womxn’s Program
It is true that womxn and men learn differently! It is immensely valuable to work with instructors and alongside other paddlers who are coming from the same place. Our goal is to provide a supportive and friendly environment where womxn can feel comfortable and have fun.
Holistic Approach
We recognize that all things on this planet are interconnected and most important is connection between mind, body and spirit. Therefore we integrate things like yoga, Pilates and nutrition into many of our trips and workshops to keep us balanced and aligned and to help prevent injury.
Community Building
Becoming a part of the watersport community is a beautiful thing. We truly believe that if you can inspire someone to be confident on the water, then that will translate into other areas of their lives. In turn, if they feel good about something they’re doing, they’ll want to pass it on to someone else.
Crew
Melissa DeMarie
Chief Instigator & Whitewater Program Director
- ACA L4 Whitewater
Laura Zulliger
Saltwater Program Director & Whitewater Kayak Instructor
- ACA L5 Advanced Open Water Kayaking
- ACA L4 Whitewater
Davide Sartoni
Paddleboard Program Director
- ACA L4 Whitewater SUP
Ellie Coffee
Whitewater Kayak Instructor
- ACA L4 Whitewater
Owen Cross
Whitewater Kayak Instructor
- ACA L4 Whitewater
Cameron O’Connor
Whitewater Kayak Instructor
- ACA L4 Whitewater
Mary Ann King
Sea Kayak Instructor
- ACA L4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking
Suzy Matsubara
Sea Kayak Instructor
- ACA L4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking
Gennifer Gatan
Sea Kayak Instructor
- ACA L4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking
- BC Advanced Sea Kayak Leader
Guest Instructors
Natalie Kramer Anderson
Anna Wagner
Anna Levesque
Mariann Sæther
Sage Donnelly
Darcy Gaechter
