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Cali Collective

@cwwcollective

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followers

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following

Watersport instruction & adventure 🌊
California • Chile • Italy • Norway
Where rivers change people.
📍 S. Fork American River | Est. 2015

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@cwwcollective on the Rip Fuy in Chile🌟 #thisiskokatat

@becksboofs by @cwwcollective

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3 years ago

The Italy > Norway tour was a dream come true. Coaching with besties, amazing guests, Swimenzas, Alpine Spritz, Valsesia Fest, rainbows, unicorns, a twin Money Drop send— and this was just the warm up. Already stoked for next year✨✨✨✨

An enormous thank you to @kajackgilardone who brought the magic of Valsesia to life and to @avaachristensen for her coaching stylings and never ending stoke. I am never letting either of you go 🫶

A shout out to @bosskayak and @europeanwhitewaterschool for the support and to @miaderdau for sharing her home with us 🫶

#moneydrop #greatsuccess #mywives #teamcalitaly #marrymycows #valsesia #campertogno #italy #voss #norway #whitewaterroadshow2025 #whitewaterkayaking #calicollective #thisismyrealjob #calicollectiveinternational

@kokatatusa @pyranha.kayaks @yeti @wernerpaddes by @cwwcollective

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a year ago

Not bad for a middle aged babe celebrating another lap around the sun

✨Started boating at 31

✨Started Cali Collective at 41

✨Pretty damn stoked for 51

POV: Mel age 48-50 Chile + California

#birthdayvibes #rebelyell #livethelifeyoulove #strongwomen #ageless #femaleentrepreneur #supportsmallbusiness #whitewater #kayaking #scorch #intothewater #calicollective #cantstopwontstop #menopause #classV #california #chile #calicollective

Many thanks to:

@kokatatusa @pyranha.kayaks @wernerpaddles @immersionresearch @yeti by @cwwcollective

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2 years ago

These 2 sections of river formed me as a paddler. They seem to have become a benchmark to illustrate not only how I’ve grown as a kayaker but also how much I’ve changed as a person. I return to these places every chance I get — it’s just as magical every time and there’s always so much more to learn.

Stoked to get in some summer laps in between kayak coaching, office work, packraft classes, grant proposals, book writing, camp maintenance, house chores and 3 very lovely but very needy cats.

Cherry Creek & Burnt Ranch Gorge you have my heart forever ❤️

And a hells yea 🙌 to our stellar instructor crew who are always down for the rally @adventurewillwhitewater @_ggggzzzzzzz_ @josephine.braun

#scorch #reactr #cherrycreek #brg

@pyranha.kayaks @kokatatusa @wernerpaddles @wernerpaddles @yeti @immersionresearch taken in California by @cwwcollective

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12 days ago

Summer adventures of the Cali Collective instructors….

We taught a lot of students on the South Fork American this season. We coached new paddlers through their first wet exits, peel outs and ferry glides. We taught rolling, surfing, T-rescues, self rescues, sweep stokes and still managed to rally on our days off to places like Cherry Creek, Burnt Ranch and North Feather - camping under the stars, morning coffee on the river and so many joy laps.

So stoked on this sweet, fun, talented crew. ❤️ Love you all 🫶

@kokatatusa @pyranha.kayaks @alpacka.ai @immersionresearch @wernerpaddles @yeti taken in California USA by @cwwcollective

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25 days ago

It takes a river of people to make a day like this happen.

Last month, we brought community members out onto the Upper Truckee River for a day of paddling, connection, and access to water that should never have been hard to reach in the first place.

That day didn’t happen because of one org or one grant. It happened because a whole community said yes.

With deep appreciation we thank:

The Washoe Tribe of California, for welcoming us onto your land and trusting us with this work.

Our gear partners — @pyranha.kayaks @alpacka_raft @kokatatusa @wernerpaddles @immersionresearch @yeti — for outfitting the boats, paddles, and gear that got 20+ new paddlers on the water.

@diversifywhitewater and the California Youth Paddlesports Fund for supporting this special day.

Our @cwwcollective volunteers and instructors, who made sure every single participant felt safe and welcome.

Our private donors, who turned this from an idea into an actual day on the water.

This is the kind of day we want to be able to run again and again — and we’re working hard to make that possible for years to come.

More water. More access. More days like this. ❤️ taken in South Lake Tahoe, California by @cwwcollective

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2 months ago

Flights booked! Stoked to be headed back to Chile for another epic season of paddling, good vibes and great times. If you’re feeling the urge for crystal clear turquoise blue water, thermal pools and unplugging under the Southern Cross — join us in one of the most spectacular places on Earth.

(And you might even getting to meet Mel’s traveling cats)

✨Click the link in our bio or DM us for more details. Custom trip options available for ALL skill and experience levels.

#chile #pucon #futaleufú #calicollective taken in Chile by @cwwcollective

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2 months ago

Watching returning paddlers help the first-timers find their balance, share what they learned and step into the role of mentor almost without noticing they’re doing it — that’s what river access and stewardship actually looks like — not just a single day but a thread that keeps pulling people back to the water and to each other.

We were honored to welcome 13 young paddlers representing 8 Tribes from around the Feather River for their 2nd annual whitewater kayaking clinic on the South Fork American.

For some, this was their first time in a kayak — that mix of nerves and excitement as they found their edge on moving water for the first time. For others who took this clinic last summer, came back stronger, more confident, ready to push further.

We are grateful to 4 Winds and everyone who made this clinic possible — and grateful most of all to these 13 paddlers. Getting in a kayak for the first time takes courage. Getting back in after you already know how hard it can be takes something just as real.

With so much gratitude we thank our longtime supporters @kokatatusa @immersionresearch @pyranha.kayaks @alpacka_raft @wernerpaddles @cwwcollective @yeti for making the magic happen again and again. ❤️ taken in Lotus, California by @cwwcollective

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2 months ago

Next beginner River SUP classes in collaboration with @cwwcollective
• August 8
• September 20
Ideal for folks confident SUPing lakes or ocean • No river paddling experience required • Comment or message me if you’re interested 🤙 taken in South Fork American River by @cwwcollective

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2 months ago

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3 months ago

From feral to fancy - Norway you’ve got my heart ❤️

An epic month of good times, great rivers and one of the warmest communities on the planet. From joy laps with friends to hot tub karaoke to Veko to the Cali Collective client trip and everything in between - it was all nonstop amazing.

Many thanks to @miaderdau and @kajackgilardone for being the best ever. I couldn’t have done this without you (and it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun) 🫶

Takk for turen and see you next spring!

@kokatatusa @pyranha.kayaks @immersionresearch @yeti @vosselveklubb @ekstremsportveko taken in Norway by @cwwcollective

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3 months ago

Why Chile?

World class rivers, thermal hot pools, mountains, maté and that Cali Collective magic. ✨

2026/2027 dates now LIVE! All skill levels welcome ❤️

Click the link in our bio to learn more.

@kokatatusa @pyranha.kayaks @alpacka_raft @wernerpaddles @immersionresearch taken in Chile by @cwwcollective

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5 months ago