Catch a Canoe & Bicycles, Too! at the Stanford Inn and Resort — Local services in Fort Bragg

I want to be clear: the staff at Catch a Canoe went above and beyond—they were friendly, professional, and made us feel welcomed. The location itself is breathtaking, and the natural beauty of Mendocino truly shines here.

But unfortunately, that’s where the positives end.

Due to improper capping or sealing of fiberglass tape on their canoe hulls, both my partner and our 6-year-old child ended up with painful fiberglass fragments embedded in their skin. This was no minor irritation—it brought tears, intense crying, and immediate distress which kept getting worse from the pain in what should have been a safe, family-friendly outdoor activity.

From a safety and health standpoint, this is a serious failure: embedded fiberglass is known to cause fiberglass dermatitis, a mechanical skin irritation from fine glass fibers piercing the skin—often resulting in redness, rash, burning, and inflammation if untreated .

How These Incidents Can Be Prevented

According to established safety and repair guidelines, this kind of injury can and should be avoided through proper maintenance:

Ensure all fiberglass edges and tapes are fully sealed with epoxy resin or gelcoat to prevent loose fibers or sharp edges from contacting skin .

Regular inspections of the canoe surface—inside and out—are essential. Any wear, scratches, or exposed fibers should be repaired immediately with a complete fiberglass patch and sealed smoothly .

Maintain UV protection and a clean gelcoat surface to avoid cracking or deterioration that might expose fiberglass beneath .

For personal safety, wear protective gear (gloves, long sleeves, eye protection) when repairing or handling fiberglass—and ensure good ventilation and thorough post-cleaning of any debris or dust .

Health and Aftercare Guidelines

If fiberglass does get embedded in the skin:

Wash exposed areas with mild soap and water, followed by a gentle removal method—tweezers, tape pull, or rinsing out fibers—and then apply antiseptic ointment. Monitor for signs of infection like redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge, and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist .

Using tweezers or adhesive tape carefully can help extract fibers. After removal, cleanse the area again, disinfect, and bandage as needed .

Medical protocols may include topical corticosteroids or hydrocortisone to ease inflammation, plus antibiotic ointments if infection is present .

Final Thoughts

I truly wish I could rate Catch a Canoe higher. Their customer service and the Mendocino scenery were exceptional. However, allowing fiberglass injuries to occur due to inadequate maintenance is unacceptable—especially when involving children. They must immediately repair their fleet to medical-grade standards, fully smooth and seal any fiberglass tape or repair areas, and adopt routine safety checks.

Until proper maintenance is in place and demonstrated, I strongly advise families and safety-conscious users to consider alternative...

What a great experience. I loved floating with the incoming tide "up" the river. The river itself is a wonderful float through a stunning forest.

The dugout canoe was incredibly stable and easy to control. I have never had a canoe with a rudder before, but it was easy to pick up and use.

The guys on the shore were friendly and knowledgeable. They got our large group launched (and later.- landed) quickly and efficiently.

I would have loved to have the option to use a canoe seat with a back. I would have appreciated a little back support, especially toward the end of the trip.

If you go, note that the return trip down river is the more strenuous leg (they warn you about this), especially if the wind is blowing and/or the tide is coming in. That being said, it is worth the paddle back down river to enjoy the...

Disappointing! I planned my whole entire trip around this place assuming I could rent an outrigger with my two dogs. I read the website which didn’t mention the necessity of needing 2 people to paddle. I arrived with hopeful intentions only to be squashed by the shaggy blonde deckhand. He explained how those outriggers are best for two paddlers due to the size and weight of the outrigger and that the headwind is too strong just for one paddler. I didn’t mention that I used to be a riverguide because I felt like it would have fallen on deaf ears. I muttered to him that my day has been ruined and he slipped back into the building leaving me alone with my misplaced thoughts. What to do? 😕😤😭 Excuse me while I experience the 5 stages of grief. Maybe I should be the one with the low rating for not being a...