We currently offer 5 specialty classes/trips in South Central Wisconsin:
1. Intro to Recreational Kayaking
2. Geology and Basic Kayak Skills
3. Wildlife and Birding
4. Kayoga - Yoga for kayaking
5. Urban Beauty - City of Madison by boat
Scroll down for trip descriptions
1. Intro to Recreational Kayaking
2. Geology and Basic Kayak Skills
3. Wildlife and Birding
4. Kayoga - Yoga for kayaking
5. Urban Beauty - City of Madison by boat
Scroll down for trip descriptions
Need to Rent a Kayak, Paddle or PFD? $35 gets you all that!!
Shop around, and if you find that available for less, we'll meet the price!
Shop around, and if you find that available for less, we'll meet the price!
1. Intro To Recreational Kayaking
Basic kayak skills that will give you a firm confidence in getting your new kayak out on that beautiful lake or river. Topics:
- Proper Entry and Exit methods
- Holding your paddle
- Posture and seating
- Forward Stroke/Turns
- Confidence and basic safety in comfy, crazy, or lazy water conditions...
- The right boat for the right place and person
You will be more confident and COMFORTABLE on the water following this introductory course. These classes are for anyone who wants to improve their skills and meet people, AND for those who have never paddled but are curious.
Location: IN MADISON! We will meet at one of several beaches near the city (depending on the wind)
Cost: $50
Difficulty: Easy, meant for beginners!
Trip Times: Weeknights and Weekends, times arranged upon booking
Book Your Lesson! (click here)
* Custom classes are available for individuals or groups looking to practice or learn a specific skill, (skulling, braces, "eskimo" rolls, wet exits/rescues, skurfing or kayak surfing) Contact us with any questions or requests. If we cannot provide the service, we will find someone who can!
- Proper Entry and Exit methods
- Holding your paddle
- Posture and seating
- Forward Stroke/Turns
- Confidence and basic safety in comfy, crazy, or lazy water conditions...
- The right boat for the right place and person
You will be more confident and COMFORTABLE on the water following this introductory course. These classes are for anyone who wants to improve their skills and meet people, AND for those who have never paddled but are curious.
Location: IN MADISON! We will meet at one of several beaches near the city (depending on the wind)
Cost: $50
Difficulty: Easy, meant for beginners!
Trip Times: Weeknights and Weekends, times arranged upon booking
Book Your Lesson! (click here)
* Custom classes are available for individuals or groups looking to practice or learn a specific skill, (skulling, braces, "eskimo" rolls, wet exits/rescues, skurfing or kayak surfing) Contact us with any questions or requests. If we cannot provide the service, we will find someone who can!
2. Geology and Basic kayak skills - Mirror Lake/WI Dells
The Dells region is one great place to learn about the AMAZING geological events that shaped the seemingly serene landscape we see around us today. This calm Wisconsinite landscape we take for granted did not come easy! In this 3 hour event, we will find out about the ANCIENT MOUNTAINS, prehistoric VOLCANOES, and forgotten OCEANS that created this Midwest landscape.
Mirror Lake is located near the Wisconsin Dells, and was created when a MASSIVE Ice Dam burst about 14,000 years ago. This lake demonstrates the geologic history of the area in all its stages, as we paddle from the wetland that feeds it, into the narrowing exposed rock wall stretches of river, draped by massive white pines and ferns that exist in only these unique environs! Paddle right under I-90/94 between 100'+ foot tall sheer cliffs, yet feel like the rush of interstate commerce travels is MILES away.
Drive time from Madison: 1 hr.
Cost: $65
Difficulty: Easy - Anyone of reasonable health should experience this.
Trip Times: Saturday or Sunday, and select weeknights, times arranged upon booking
Book Your Trip! (click here)
Mirror Lake is located near the Wisconsin Dells, and was created when a MASSIVE Ice Dam burst about 14,000 years ago. This lake demonstrates the geologic history of the area in all its stages, as we paddle from the wetland that feeds it, into the narrowing exposed rock wall stretches of river, draped by massive white pines and ferns that exist in only these unique environs! Paddle right under I-90/94 between 100'+ foot tall sheer cliffs, yet feel like the rush of interstate commerce travels is MILES away.
Drive time from Madison: 1 hr.
Cost: $65
Difficulty: Easy - Anyone of reasonable health should experience this.
Trip Times: Saturday or Sunday, and select weeknights, times arranged upon booking
Book Your Trip! (click here)
3. Wildlife and Birding - Cherokee Marsh
Giant Lillypads in Marsh!
Cherokee Marsh is a perfect place to view the abundance of wildlife in our midwestern wetlands, AND is close to Madison. In this riverine wetland area, we will have an opportunity to look at aquatic ecosystems found hundreds of years ago in Southern WI, maybe even see White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Sandhill Cranes, or Bald Eagles! We will also have an opportunity to discuss some of the impacts that human development (subdivisions, lawns, agriculture and deforestation) has on everything in the biome... including, and aside from humans! Join us to paddle this beautiful natural wonder, and learn how to help preserve places like this!
Learn about area wildlife, ecology of a semi-urbanized wetland and the affects of rural and urban land uses, and all the other joys of the estuarine ecosystems from our local watershed ecologist! Be prepared with your camera, as this is an excellent site for birders.
Drive time from Madison: 0-25 minutes depending on where you come from. Located near Hwy M and Hwy 113.
Cost: $55
Difficulty: Easy
Trip Times: Weeknights and Weekends, times arranged upon booking
Book Your Trip! (click here)
Learn about area wildlife, ecology of a semi-urbanized wetland and the affects of rural and urban land uses, and all the other joys of the estuarine ecosystems from our local watershed ecologist! Be prepared with your camera, as this is an excellent site for birders.
Drive time from Madison: 0-25 minutes depending on where you come from. Located near Hwy M and Hwy 113.
Cost: $55
Difficulty: Easy
Trip Times: Weeknights and Weekends, times arranged upon booking
Book Your Trip! (click here)
4. Kayoga - Kayaking and Yoga
Kayaking and Yoga meld perfectly. Learn asanas (yogic postures) that are geared towards proper kayaking posture. We will go through some yoga on the beach, transition into our kayaks, and end with another brief session of yoga to conclude our experience, and give offering back to the world we live in. Through concentrated breathing and focus, we can begin to more fully appreciate the experience of living in flux with our dynamic world through the fluid motion of kayaking. Our teacher/guide(s) have years of experience and training in Hatha, Ashtanga, and several other secular forms of yoga.
Location: Indian Lake (30 minutes from Madison) or Werner Park (in Madison) depending on weather and group size.
Cost: $50
Difficulty: Easy, all yogic postures and asanas can be adjusted to your body
Trip Times: Any, times arranged upon booking
Book Your Trip! (click here)
Location: Indian Lake (30 minutes from Madison) or Werner Park (in Madison) depending on weather and group size.
Cost: $50
Difficulty: Easy, all yogic postures and asanas can be adjusted to your body
Trip Times: Any, times arranged upon booking
Book Your Trip! (click here)
5. Wingra Creek - The Urban Creek Exploration
Explore the transition from Lake Monona to Lake Wingra via the heart of Madison. We will see and discuss examples of how urban development impacts the creek. We will also see examples of how humans are trying to counter the ecological impacts of urban development through restoration. This interesting paddling route will end with a beautiful view of sun setting over downtown Madison. This is a gem right in the middle of the city! Easily accessible from the UW Madison campus, Metro bus line, or the Capitol City Bike Trail..
IN MADISON! Boat launch at Olin-Turville Park
Cost: $40
Difficulty: Easy, meant for beginners!
Trip Times: Weeknights and Weekends, time arranged upon booking
Book Your Lesson! (click here)
IN MADISON! Boat launch at Olin-Turville Park
Cost: $40
Difficulty: Easy, meant for beginners!
Trip Times: Weeknights and Weekends, time arranged upon booking
Book Your Lesson! (click here)
