State Parks’ lifeguards help train surfers during a fun day of learning, bbq at Russian Gulch Saturday
A day of fun at Russian Gulch State Park on Saturday will feature lifesaving techniques, CPR and how to use the water safely. The fees normally collected at the entry station at Russian Gulch will be waived for the event.
It’s a great chance to check out a program that has saved lives on the Mendocino Coast, the sponsor of the event, Mendocino Coast Lifeguards.
“We are a mobile water rescue unit, covering the coastline from Gualala to Usal (the Lost Coast), but the majority of our day is spent roving areas with high visitation, from Mendocino to Fort Bragg. Keep your eyes peeled for our trucks (white with sirens and rescue boards on the roof racks)!,” says the State Parks website about them.
The State Parks Lifeguard trucks have become a common sight out along the bluffs. Frank has often seen them watching people in the water, driving trucks with surfboards on top. The youthful corps of men and women are sometimes partake in the water sports themselves,
The event at Russian Gulch, which starts at 1 p.m and runs all day with a barbecue and events on the beach and in the water.
State Parks lifeguards are a new sight for those of us who have been around a decade or more, driving on the Haul Road between Pudding Creek Beach and the bridge at Mackerricher, and also on the last stretch of Haul Road left, in the Ward Avenue area. They are seen at Puding Creek Beach on busy days, as well as Big River beach.
Where did they come from?
With drownings on the rise, California State Parks launched its lifeguard program in 2017 . Then the pandemic hit and abalone season stayed closed. But drownings, both fatal and non-fatal, continued to rise. Three men died in a short period of time in 2024 when they went out of Noyo Harbor fishing in small boats when the seas were high. Tourist traffic continued to rise during the same time period. Most of the drownings in the past occurred during abalone diving. Still, most of the drownings still occur among travelers, who may have made a long trip for the chance to dip in the ocean and push their luck in high seas.
The Mendocino Coast is not the top place on the Mendocino Coast to surf, with Virgin Creek, at the north end of Fort Bragg City limits, considered the best place to surf here. The area was mobbed three weeks ago when big waves hit, with more than 40 cars parked along State Route 1.
Another item happening Saturday is a Crafts Fair in Fort Bragg.
We got this from the MCN listserve
It’s time to celebrate and go shopping! Bring your family to the Holiday Craft Fair at Town Hall in downtown Fort Bragg. Town Hall is in the heart of the downtown business district of Fort Bragg, CA. one block east of the Skunk Train. Be sure to enjoy the Holiday festivities, whale watching and coast trail, and all the window decorations on Main Street. Meanwhile, treat yourself to a really unique shopping experience at the December Holiday Craft Fair! The Dec. Craft Fair will include a wide variety of amazing hand-crafted items, from quilts and toys, to iron works, pottery, knits and crochet, jewelry, bird houses, tools, and other unique crafts. Town Hall is at the corner of Main and Laurel Streets in Fort Bragg.
Holiday Crafts Fair
Date and Time
Saturday Dec 13, 2025Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Open: Sat 10am-6pm / Sun 10am-3pm
Location
Town Hall, Fort Bragg 416 North Franklin Street Fort Bragg
