Wisconsin Hoofers Outing Club - Madison, Wisconsin

First River Trip

Whitewater kayaking is a wonderful and exciting sport, and we have a great group of people at Hoofers ready to introduce you to it.† We’re excited that you’re interested in trying out this sport that we’re so passionate about. Hoofers lead beginner whitewater trips throughout the summer to local Wisconsin rivers. Some of the typical beginner rivers are the Red River, Wolf River Section III, the Pike River , and the Peshtigo River .To go on a beginner river trip, you must have at least your R1 rating.

The river trips are organized and led by Hoofer volunteers. These trip leaders have been approved by the Hoofer water safety board after having passed a written exam and having been supervised while leading a beginner trip. Always listen attentively to your Instructors and Trip Leaders.† They are there to ensure your safety and to make your trip as fun and educational as possible.† Never hesitate to ask a question if you feel that you don't understand something completely.† Do not hesitate to tell your instructor if you feel cold or are having a problem with your gear, etc.† They are there for your benefit and will often know some little trick that will make you more comfortable and your day more enjoyable.

Don't make plans for early in the evening on the days of the trips.† Schedules have a tendency to break down under the weight of so many variables, and return times are always estimates. Don't forget to bring money for dinner on the way back into town.

On the River

Once you get to the put-in, help unload the boats and gear from the cars. Then change into your paddling clothes. NOTE: There are no changing rooms available. Finally, gather your personal gear together and secure any articles that you are carrying in your boat so they will not be lost if you swim.† Be careful not to create any entrapments within the boat as you do this (no long loops of string or loose lengths of rope). If you are wearing tennis shoes in the boat, be sure to put duct tape over the laces so they will not hang on your bulkhead screws when you attempt to exit the craft.† Take a few sips from your water bottle before the trip begins so if it washes out of your boat, it will have some air in it and float it to the top so we can find it in the river.†

Before you get on the river, the trip leader will give a "river talk" explaining the rapids, any hazards you might encounter, paddle signals, and river order

If someone in your group swims, stay calm and stay out of the way.† Let the instructors handle the rescue.† Just find an eddy and sit tight until your instructors ask you to do otherwise.

Last but not least, whitewater kayaking is a lot of fun! Keep a positive mental attitude while you are in the early stages of the learning curve and, above all,† enjoy yourself!

Personal Gear (what you need to bring on trips)

· Swimming clothes

· Towel (the bigger the better)

· River shoes or booties

· Garbage bag for wet clothes for the ride home

· Food for lunch in a waterproof container (tupperware in a plastic grocery bag is good, ziplocks are risky)

· Water/sports drink in plastic bottle (no glass)

· Leashes for eyeglasses if worn (or extra pair of contacts if worn)

· Nose clips (optional)

· Carabiners (if you have them) to attach lunch bag/water bottle to the kayak

· Sunscreen

· Money for breakfast/dinner

· Clothes made of wool/synthetic materials (no cotton), nylon shell, and/or wetsuit for cold weather paddling

(When paddling in cooler seasons, overestimate the amount of food, water and warm clothing you will need.† Running short of any one of these items in the event of injury, swims, or bad weather can make an otherwise uncomfortable situation life threatening on the river.)

Hoofer Gear

The Hoofer Outing Club can provide you with all the kayaking gear you need . When you arrive on the day of your trip, go down to the boathouse and choose your gear. It is advisable to get to the boathouse 15 minutes early to spend some time outfitting your boat to fit your body. You will have much better boat control and consequently a better time on the river if you have spent the time to properly fit your gear to yourself. If you need help choosing gear, please ask your trip leader or another Hoofer for help.

You will need 6 pieces of gear for a river trip

· Kayak

· Paddle

· Helmet

· Sprayskirt

· PFD (lifevest)

· 2 Flotation bags in your boat

Once you’ve chosen your gear, carry it up to Park Street Circle and help load it into a car. You are responsible for making sure your gear is put into a car to be transported to the river.

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Activities Backpacking Canoeing Caving Cross-country Skiing Mountain Biking Road Biking Sea Kayaking Telemark Skiing Top-rope Climbing Whitewater Kayaking What if I Flip Over? Kayak Skills Boats & Gear "Sac" Trips First River Trip Driving Directions Other Activities Instruction Leading Trips Tips and Tricks For All Paddlers About the Club Weekly Meetings Leader Recognition History Executive Board Policies & Procedures E-mail Lists Member List Club Wiki Login Username: Password: Lost Password? Want a login?	First River Trip Whitewater kayaking is a wonderful and exciting sport, and we have a great group of people at Hoofers ready to introduce you to it.† We’re excited that you’re interested in trying out this sport that we’re so passionate about. Hoofers lead beginner whitewater trips throughout the summer to local Wisconsin rivers. Some of the typical beginner rivers are the Red River, Wolf River Section III, the Pike River , and the Peshtigo River .To go on a beginner river trip, you must have at least your R1 rating. The river trips are organized and led by Hoofer volunteers. These trip leaders have been approved by the Hoofer water safety board after having passed a written exam and having been supervised while leading a beginner trip. Always listen attentively to your Instructors and Trip Leaders.† They are there to ensure your safety and to make your trip as fun and educational as possible.† Never hesitate to ask a question if you feel that you don't understand something completely.† Do not hesitate to tell your instructor if you feel cold or are having a problem with your gear, etc.† They are there for your benefit and will often know some little trick that will make you more comfortable and your day more enjoyable. Don't make plans for early in the evening on the days of the trips.† Schedules have a tendency to break down under the weight of so many variables, and return times are always estimates. Don't forget to bring money for dinner on the way back into town. On the River Once you get to the put-in, help unload the boats and gear from the cars. Then change into your paddling clothes. NOTE: There are no changing rooms available. Finally, gather your personal gear together and secure any articles that you are carrying in your boat so they will not be lost if you swim.† Be careful not to create any entrapments within the boat as you do this (no long loops of string or loose lengths of rope). If you are wearing tennis shoes in the boat, be sure to put duct tape over the laces so they will not hang on your bulkhead screws when you attempt to exit the craft.† Take a few sips from your water bottle before the trip begins so if it washes out of your boat, it will have some air in it and float it to the top so we can find it in the river.† Before you get on the river, the trip leader will give a "river talk" explaining the rapids, any hazards you might encounter, paddle signals, and river order If someone in your group swims, stay calm and stay out of the way.† Let the instructors handle the rescue.† Just find an eddy and sit tight until your instructors ask you to do otherwise. Last but not least, whitewater kayaking is a lot of fun! Keep a positive mental attitude while you are in the early stages of the learning curve and, above all,† enjoy yourself! Personal Gear (what you need to bring on trips) · Swimming clothes · Towel (the bigger the better) · River shoes or booties · Garbage bag for wet clothes for the ride home · Food for lunch in a waterproof container (tupperware in a plastic grocery bag is good, ziplocks are risky) · Water/sports drink in plastic bottle (no glass) · Leashes for eyeglasses if worn (or extra pair of contacts if worn) · Nose clips (optional) · Carabiners (if you have them) to attach lunch bag/water bottle to the kayak · Sunscreen · Money for breakfast/dinner · Clothes made of wool/synthetic materials (no cotton), nylon shell, and/or wetsuit for cold weather paddling (When paddling in cooler seasons, overestimate the amount of food, water and warm clothing you will need.† Running short of any one of these items in the event of injury, swims, or bad weather can make an otherwise uncomfortable situation life threatening on the river.) Hoofer Gear The Hoofer Outing Club can provide you with all the kayaking gear you need . When you arrive on the day of your trip, go down to the boathouse and choose your gear. It is advisable to get to the boathouse 15 minutes early to spend some time outfitting your boat to fit your body. You will have much better boat control and consequently a better time on the river if you have spent the time to properly fit your gear to yourself. If you need help choosing gear, please ask your trip leader or another Hoofer for help. You will need 6 pieces of gear for a river trip · Kayak · Paddle · Helmet · Sprayskirt · PFD (lifevest) · 2 Flotation bags in your boat Once you’ve chosen your gear, carry it up to Park Street Circle and help load it into a car. You are responsible for making sure your gear is put into a car to be transported to the river.
The Hoofer Outing Club promotes safe, fun, outdoor and social activities that are open to all. This means we promote diversity, try to accommodate people who are disabled (within budget constraints), and do not allow harassment of any kind. For more information, please email our Accessibility Chair.