Canoeing
The Outing Club is a great way to learn quietwater canoeing or if you have experience it is a great place to find active paddlers in the area. We own several canoes suitable for both quietwater and whitewater paddling . These canoes are available for free use by 
members on Lake Mendota and on club-sponsored trips that take place both locally and throughout the Midwest and beyond. Outing club members may use canoes on Lake Mendota for free, but you must sign up for a lake lesson first (usually takes about 1 hour). The lesson will cover basic paddling strokes, safety procedures for Lake Mendota boating, and familiarize you with our equipment. Even if you have prior canoe experience you must attend a lake lesson to become familiar with our equipment and the safety rules for the lake.
Club-sponsored trips may go out at any time that people get together and make one happen. All that is required is for participants to be Outing Club members with appropriate ratings (easily obtained with a lake lesson, although a few trips require practice in whitewater) and an approved leader (anyone with some experience and initiative has the potential to become a leader.) Popular nearby destinations include the Wisconsin River, Kickapoo River, Namekagon River, and Wolf River. For the more adventurous desiring an expedition lasting a week or month, we have taken trips to the Quetico and Boundary Waters as well as the Northwest Territories in Canada.
For more information, contact our Canoeing Chair.
