The SK0 lesson is your introduction to our sea kayaking fleet and will allow you to check our long boats out on Lake Mendota and participate in most quietwater trips.  This also opens the doorway to touring Wisconsin's plethora of lakes and riverways (eventually including trips on the Great Lakes).   We will meet at the Hoofer boathouse in the Memorial Union. 

The lesson will include: 

1. Instruction in wind/water/weather considerations.

2. Boat and paddle differences between whitewater and sea kayaks.

3. Basic paddle strokes (forward, reverse, sweep, & draw).

4. Wet exits and assisted rescues. Individuals who take this lesson must demonstrate they can perform an assisted T-rescue.

Be prepared to get wet!  Please have a swimsuit, closed-toe water shoes, water, and a change of clothes. The water is starting to get cold, so bring extra layers that are warm when wet if you have them. Hoofers also has wetsuits and paddling jackets available.

Note: The waitlist feature is currently not available. As always, signing up for an event is a commitment to attend. If you can no longer make it for some reason please email me and remove yourself from the sign up list as soon as possible so someone else can get a spot.

Come and chat with me in the Hoofer office (across from the Mendota Lodge) about ideas, questions, or concerns you have about the club. Free coffee and tea if you email me ahead of time, just bring yourself and a mug! If you would like to schedule a meeting outside of these hours, email me at outingpresident@hoofers.org.

Hey folks!

Join us every Tuesday night for our Hoofer Outing Club general meeting! These are free to the public, and we meet in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union from 7pm to 8pm (near the Lakefront and Outdoor UW office). We will be telling stories of recent trips, discussing upcoming events, and getting to know each other. Our meetings are open to all who wish to be involved in the outdoors! See you there!

Hello Hoofer Outing Club, and welcome new members! 

I want to make you aware of this upcoming webinar: “Voices of National Leadership in Anti-Racism in the Outdoors” 

https://nelson.wisc.edu/events/everyones-earth-voices-national-leadership-anti-racism-outdoors/ 
 

Two of the webinar’s organizers are here at UW Madison! 

James Edward Mills is a journalist and an instructor at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. His work can be found at The Joy Trip Project (https://joytripproject.com/), and he teaches a UW Madison class called “Outdoors for All.” 

Christopher Kilgour is in the Division of Information Technology (DoIT). You can hear about Christopher Kilgour and his organization Color in the Outdoors here: https://madison365.com/black-oxygen-christopher-kilgour/  

Register for the Zoom webinar through the “Register” button here: https://nelson.wisc.edu/events/everyones-earth-voices-national-leadership-anti-racism-outdoors/ 

(No need to sign up on this event)

--- 

Everyone should also know that there is a DEI-focused Hoofer group called Hoofer Ambassadors: https://www.hoofers.org/about-hoofer-ambassadors 

Personally, I consider it my responsibility as a trip leader to seek out ways to make my trips more inclusive, and I hope that everyone else, trip leader or participant, does so as well. 

After a long pandemic storage and a full summer boating season our sea kayak fleet is due for some tender love and care!  Join us as we perform some maintenance on boats and gear to get them back in top form so that they'll be ready to go for any late season trips and winter pool sessions.  

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the boats and equipment the club has, as well as to develop the skills to maintain your own gear in the future (not to mention hang out with your fellow Hoofers).  Likely repairs include: replacing deck lines and bungees, fixing foot pegs and back bands, (possibly) repairing skegs, maintaining hatch covers, and thoroughly cleaning the boats. 

If enough people participate we may also due an inventory of SK equipment/gear in the cage so that we have a full accounting of what we have and what might need replaced/updated, and perhaps order in some supper to enjoy while we work.  Come for the whole time or just drop by while you can, all are welcome. Many hands make light work! 

The HOC Instruction Chairs are starting a new cohort (BLT-003) of the HOC Basic Leader Training program that you have heard so much (or so little) about! We appreciate your interest in wanting to be a part of this program within the Outing Club. This RecHub post should have everything you need to know about this program going forward. If you have questions, please let us know.

Fill out this super short info form if you decide this is something you’d like to participate in.

(Here is the link if that didn't work : https://forms.gle/CMb763mQHjw67TZt5 )

1. Canvas

   1. We will add you to a Canvas page that contains the curriculum/program by Friday October 1st when the program starts. This is where all of the actual facets of the program will take place. We tried to keep it simple; the curriculum is divided into 6 sections and each one has its own Module. Please look at the "Instructions" Module before you begin.

      1. If for some reason you can't access the Canvas page by 10/1 (didn't get an email, can't see it in your courses), let us know ASAP and we will figure out how to get you in.

2. Goals

   1. The goals of this program are to get all of you oriented as new leaders in Hoofer Outing Club and capable of leading basic trips, like day hikes and overnight camping. This won’t get you prepared to lead a whitewater canoeing trip or a backpacking trip out west, but it’s the first step towards getting there, and every leader needs to do it.

3. Workload

   1. This might seem like some big program or a lot of work to you; don't worry, we didn't design it that way. It won't be nearly as much work as one of your academic courses. 

      1. We are spreading the work out over almost three weeks, and honestly this is something you could complete in 4-5 hours if you really wanted to.

         1. We are asking you to generally try to complete 1 Module every 2 days: average times to complete each Module are around 30 minutes.

         2. Below this main description is a general schedule that you should try to follow.

4. Live Sessions

   1. After you all have completed the Canvas portion of this program, we will hold ONE virtual session that you will need to attend to finish the BLT.

      1. This is scheduled for Sunday October 24th from 4-5:30 pm. It won't be longer than an hour and a half, and after this part of the program, you are done.

         • This date also may change as the month continues and if people want to get their leader ratings before it gets colder to lead trips in the fall. We will keep you updated. 

      2. The purpose of this session is to go over a few topics that are easiest to teach in-person, or in this case, synchronously virtually.

      3. If you can’t make it to this session, you can still participate in this program, but you will have to complete a live session later on to fully complete the BLT. If we have a lot of interest for this cohort, we may have to cap numbers and give priority to those who can make our live session.

      4. There will be at least one other live session during Fall 2021.

5. Feedback

   1. There are several opportunities for feedback, and we would appreciate any feedback at any time during this program

      1. For urgent matters, or just quick fixes, feel free to just email me:

         1. Lily: emass@wisc.edu

      2. If you have feedback about curriculum changes or general improvements to the flow of the program:

         1. Write them down so you can remember for the feedback session at the end of the course.

         2. OR, enter them into this Intermittent Feedback Form right away if you think you might forget.

      3. In the virtual synchronous session, there will be more opportunities for you to give us feedback.

6. Facebook group chat

   1. We may create a Facebook group chat so that you can talk amongst each other and to Lily and I in an easy manner, if this is something y’all are interested in.

So, for you TO DO:

• Fill out this Google Form if interested, and sign up for this RecHub event.

• Wait to be added to the Canvas page; once you are added, start working on the Modules; try to stick to the attached schedule

  • Pay attention while you work through it, and please give us feedback whenever you find the opportunity

    • Email or this Intermittent Feedback Form

Really, if you have any suggestions/ideas/improvements at all, we are open to anything. NO question is a dumb question. The BLT is a project we've been working on for 3 years now, and you can help us to make this program more accessible and more effective while you experience it and learn through it, thereby cementing the BLT program as the backbone of HOC leadership for years to come!

If at any time you think that you can no longer stay involved with this, let us know. We would love it if everyone could complete the program as we tried to make it reasonable, but we understand if other obligations become too much.

Recommended Schedule:

This trip will be opened for sign up at 8:30pm on Tuesday 9/14/21 after the Kickoff Meeting!

What / Where / When:

Sylvania Wilderness is a protected wilderness area in the UP (Upper Peninsula of Michigan).  We will be canoeing, portaging, and enjoying peak fall colors throughout the area.  We will leave from Memorial Union on Friday afternoon and return to Memorial Union on Sunday afternoon / evening. 

Who:

No prior experience necessary. No prerequisites needed. This trip is an "immersive" experience for canoeing. By going on this trip you can receive both your swim test and lake rating!

Cost:

The anticipated cost of this trip is $55 to cover the cost of food and gas.

Bring money for food on the road for Friday and Sunday.

Details:

We will have a pre-trip meeting TBD to go over packing and other trip logistics.

Shortly after you sign up, we will send out an email with important gear lists, and a form to collect more information from you.

Hoofers can provide you with all the essential gear to get you out there.

Feel free to email either of us with questions about the trip!

fahrens@wisc.edu

sestein2@wisc.edu

Please sign up here if you would like to be on the waitlist for the Sylvania Canoe Trip! We will tranfer you from this list to the event if a spot opens up. 

Are you interested in leading on-water trips for the club, but would like some hands-on experience first?  Are you a former or current paddling leader and looking for some ways to refresh or sharpen your skillsets? If so, register for our upcoming Paddling Leader Training class.  

On Saturday, October 2 I will lead a session for club members who are interested in becoming (or already are) paddling leaders for the Outing club.  The class will be designed around the goal of teaching skills and providing a space for practice that club leaders will find valuable for leading beginner to intermediate trips. 

We will be using sea kayaks for the seminar--but many of the leadership skills and scenarios you will encounter will be applicable to other types of watercraft as well.  Some potential subjects will be communication skills, managing group dynamics, using trip planning to help guide on-water leadership, and dealing with various on-water scenarios that may realistically arise on trips.  This class will be accessible to new and upcoming leaders, and will hopefully provide a useful stepping-stone to more advanced leader training (such as ACA instructor or trip leader certifications) should anyone be interested in that.  This is your chance to practice useful skills and get focused feedback to help you develop as a leader-and for the unbeatable price of being ABSOLUTELY FREE, unlike most leadership training seminars.   

With that in mind, participants should be confident in basic boat control and paddlestrokes, and familiar with the basic rescues (T-rescue, bow rescue, paddlefloat self-rescue).  Additional skills such as towing, knowledge of other rescues, and rolling may be useful, but are not required.  We want this to be a fun way to help current and future leaders feel confident in the their ability to lead trips of their own (please note that you'll still need to attain the appropriate club ratings before leading future trips if you haven't already done so).  

The preliminary plan is for the session to begin promptly at 9am at the Hoofer Boathouse in the Memorial Union and run until noon.  I will update this event page on the calendar as more details on the class are finalized. 

If you are a current leader or attended the Paddling Leader Course in August and would be interested in helping out, please let me know!  The more experienced paddlers/leaders we have on hand to provide feedback the better!
 

Come and chat with me in the Hoofer office (across from the Mendota Lodge) about ideas, questions, or concerns you have about the club. Free coffee and tea if you email me ahead of time, just bring yourself and a mug! If you would like to schedule a meeting outside of these hours, email me at outingpresident@hoofers.org.

Hey folks!

Join us every Tuesday night for our Hoofer Outing Club general meeting! These are free to the public, and we meet in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union from 7pm to 8pm (near the Lakefront and Outdoor UW office). We will be telling stories of recent trips, discussing upcoming events, and getting to know each other. Our meetings are open to all who wish to be involved in the outdoors! See you there!

After a long pandemic storage and a full summer boating season, our whitewater kayak fleet is due for some tender love and care!  Join us as we perform some maintenance on boats and gear to get them back in top form so that they'll be ready to go for any late season trips and winter pool sessions.  

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the boats and equipment the club has, as well as to develop the skills to maintain your own gear in the future (not to mention hang out with your fellow Hoofers). Likely repairs include: fixing foot pegs and thigh brace padding, adding drain plugs, labeling and adding stickers to boats, and thoroughly cleaning the boats and the boat cage. 

If enough people participate we may also do an inventory of equipment/gear in the cage so that we have a full accounting of what we have and what might need replaced/updated. Come for the whole time or just drop by while you can, all are welcome. Many hands make light work! 

Pizza will be served following the repair session!

    Activity: Class 2 whitewater paddling, camping.

    NOTE: I am looking for safety boaters and another driver. Please let me know if you can fill that role!

    Trip Overview:
    Leave Madison on Wed Oct 6 evening after work.

    Drive to Tigerton, WI and camp there on Wed night.  
    Paddle the Red River (class 2, with one class 3 feature) on Thursday Oct 7.  
    Return to Madison on Thursday evening.

    Trip Details:

    PREREQUISITES:
    This trip is open to Hoofers who have completed the R1 rating (Intro to moving water) and the Standard Swim Test.

    GOALS:  

    Enjoy a night of camping along the Embarass RIver and a day of paddling on the beautiful Red River.  

    Learn from each other about camping skills and whitewater paddling skills.

    ITINERARY:
    Meet at Memorial Union boathouse on Wed Oct 6 at 6:00pm.
    Drive from Memorial Union to Tigerton OHV Park & Campground (1100 Quad Park Lane, Tigerton, WI 54486).
    Camp one night at Tigerton campground.
    Drive from Tigerton campground to Lower Red River Park (300 Lower Lake Rd, Gresham, WI 54128), at approximately 10:00 AM.
    Shuttle cars to “yellow paddle” takeout (Finley Ct, Shawano, WI 54166)
    Paddle the Red River (4 hours)
    End at Yellow Paddle around 3pm.

    Option for the group to do a second run of the section.
    Return to Memorial Union on Thurs evening.

    CAMPING

   Campground is right along the Embarass River.
    Camping costs are split among participants, and should come to about $6-11 each, depending on the number of people.

    The campground has restrooms and showers.

    Each participant will have their own tent (except if same-household people want to share); this is part of our Hoofer covid guidelines for trips.

    Participants may borrow a tent from Hoofers if needed.
    Please see packing list below.

    FOOD
    Dinner on Wednesday: plan to eat before leaving Madison

    Breakfast on Thursday:  Bring food to cook at the campground. Hot water will be available.

    Lunch on Thursday: please bring food that can be carried on the river. Small dry bags can be borrowed from Hoofers.

    Dinner on Thursday: Eat on our way home, probably in Shawano.  

    DRIVING
    Driving segments are as follows:

    Wednesday:
    Memorial Union to Tigerton OHV Park & Campground (1100 Quad Park Lane, Tigerton, WI 54486)

    Thursday:
    Tigerton campground to Lower Red River Park (300 Lower Lake Rd, Gresham, WI 54128).  
    Shuttle to “yellow paddle” takeout (Finley Ct, Shawano, WI 54166).  
    Drive to Shawano for food if we want.
    Return to Memorial Union.  

    PACKING LIST
    Each person:
    Items with a star can be provided by Hoofers.

    Tent *
    Sleeping pad *
    Sleeping Bag *
    Pillow (bring your own or use your clothing)
    Toiletries for overnight (toothbrush, etc.)
    Headlamp or other light

    Breakfast food for Thursday

    Change of clothes for sleeping - bring layers if it’s forecast to be cold.
    Change of clothing and shoes for paddling - something that can get wet. Plan on being completely immersed in the water. We will likely be swimming intentionally.

Hoofers can provide wetsuits and paddling jackets if the water's cold. Bring warm when wet layers such as wool, fleece, or other synthetic layers if you have them.
    Footwear that will not fall off in the water!
    Dry change of clothing (and dry shoes) for after the river.  

    Lunch food for Thursday
    Towel
    Plastic bags for wet clothing
    Glasses strap if applicable
    Water bottle
    Sunscreen
    Drybag for lunch *
    Helmet *
    Float bags *
    Sprayskirt *
    Paddle *
    PFD *
    Boat *

Here's your chance to experience all 4 lakes of Madison and camp out of a sea kayak! Starting at the Union, we'll load up our boats with camping gear and follow the course of the Yahara River for 17 miles, passing through lakes Mendota, Monona, Wabesa, and Kegonsa. We'll pull ashore at Lake Kegonsa State Park and hike a short distance inland to our campsites. On Sunday, we'll return the way we came!

The cost of the trip is $20. This covers food and campsite fees.

The SK1 rating and a Standard Swim Test are required to participate.

Come and chat with me in the Hoofer office (across from the Mendota Lodge) about ideas, questions, or concerns you have about the club. Free coffee and tea if you email me ahead of time, just bring yourself and a mug! If you would like to schedule a meeting outside of these hours, email me at outingpresident@hoofers.org.

Hey folks!

Join us every Tuesday night for our Hoofer Outing Club general meeting! These are free to the public, and we meet in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union from 7pm to 8pm (near the Lakefront and Outdoor UW office). We will be telling stories of recent trips, discussing upcoming events, and getting to know each other. Our meetings are open to all who wish to be involved in the outdoors! See you there!

October Sea Kayak Rough Water Training & ACA Skills/Instructor Development - Lake Superior

Dates October (14)15-18, 2021

(The training begins on Friday morning October 15 and concludes on Monday afternoon on October 18. Travel to arrive in Washburn WI on Thursday night. Return to Madison on Monday evening.)

There is an option to choose to attend part or all of the weekend.

Leaders: An ACA Instructor Trainer and a few other ACA instructors will be leading this specific weekend. (I won't be there myself.)

My goal is to develop skilled paddlers, instructors, and leaders.

Please sign up on the wait list if you are sincerely interested. Final participant list will be at the leader's discretion. Space is limited by class size & lodging/campsite capacity and by leadership safety considerations.

This rough water sea kayaking event is for capable paddlers looking to advance their knowledge/skills of navigation, weather, wind, and waves to safely develop in more challenging coastal and open water environments. Points of emphasis will include adapting paddling skills to rough water conditions, safety/rescue skills, group leadership, and risk management.

Paddlers will benefit from expert ACA training on Lake Superior between the Bayfield Peninsula of Wisconsin and the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan. Venues include the Apostle Islands National Shoreline (including the Meyer's Beach Sea Caves), Porcupine Mountain State Park, and Black River Harbor. Each day will include an integration of classroom didactic instruction with on water training in conditions on Lake Superior.

Who: Ideally, SK2p/SK2 rating and recent paddling in rough conditions. Standard swim test required. A strong SK1 with whitewater experience may also be possible. If you are sincerely interested, available for the specific dates, and are aware of the rough/cold conditions involved, feel free to contact me. (If you are solidly moving towards the SK2 and are interested (but not quite there yet), we can discuss on a case by case basis. I would be happy to discuss my previous experiences with you.)

COVID-19 Precautions: Full Covid-19 vaccination is required prior to the event date.

Boats/Gear: Most of the needed boats and gear can be made available through the club and/or through our local host in Washburn WI. Please email me directly to make arrangements. Wearing wetsuits with synthetic underlayers (your own), paddling jacket, helmet, and other essential personal paddling gear of pfd, spray skirt are required.

Personal Gear: Synthetic under-layers (no cotton), paddling gloves/pogies, thermal cap. A drysuit is strongly recommended. For a drysuit, I would highly recommend that you contact Kayak Academy and arrange to have a rental dry suit. (Details below.)

https://www.kayakacademy.com/pages/rental-dry-suits

https://www.kayakacademy.com/pages/drysuit-guide

Future: I am hoping this type of training event provides an incentive for each of us to increase/improve our paddling and leadership skills.

Participants will also have an opportunity to earn:

(A) ACA Sea Kayak L4 Skills Assessment.

(B) Training Leading to L4 Instructor Certification.

The American Canoe Association (ACA) is the industry standard for paddle sports in North America and is a recognized standard worldwide.

Why: ACA training/certification in paddling, teaching, safety, and leadership skills is essential and highly valued for those who intend to work and/or play in the outdoors. 

Here is your opportunity close to home in one of our favorite Great Lakes.
--------------------------------

Please sign up on the wait list if you are sincerely interested. Final participant list will be at the leader's discretion. Space is limited by class size & lodging/campsite capacity and by leadership safety considerations.

Costs: Will be determined based on number of participants. I expect those who participate will also commit to teach and lead others in the club. You must demonstrate a commitment to lead and serve others.

This is a terrific opportunity to learn and earn in one of the sea kayaking national treasures. Let's go!