Kayaking builds community

The water off Barker’s Island was smooth and glassy when kayakers pushed off Monday. Despite an earlier drizzle, the boaters stayed dry as they circled the island.

“I like to paddle,” said Bruce Smith of Superior. “It’s just a good way to be out on the water.

“It’s a nice, quiet sport.”

Kayaking can be a solitary sport for many.

“Sometimes in the community you only paddle by yourself,” said University of Wisconsin-Superior student Case Turner. That’s what makes these community paddles sponsored by the university’s Superior Outdoor Adventure Program a treat.

“It’s a great way to try out other equipment, meet other people and see other places that you maybe aren’t comfortable going alone,” said Turner, a staff member with the program.

Karen Isensee joined a community paddle at Billings Park last summer. She said the program is a great deal.

“It’s just a really cool thing the university is doing,” said Isensee, who lives at Pattison Park. “They provide the kayaks and everything; they just provide so much.”

What was it like kayaking together in Superior?

“Just very relaxing, a good way to spend a summer evening,” Isensee said.

The university provides a number of kayaks and life jackets for people to use for a nominal fee of $5. Those with their own kayaks can join the flotilla for free. Each paddle starts with hands-on training in paddling and safety.

Lael Gombar has been working with the Student Outdoor Adventure Program for more than two years. She encouraged everyone to join in the community paddles.

“Right now the kayaking trips are geared toward the community, not just campus,” she said. “And you get to come with us on a lot of trips. It’s informational. You learn a lot of basic skills.”

And, Turner said, “You meet other people.”

The university is also sponsoring three kayak sessions geared for younger paddlers this summer. The first youth paddle will navigate around Barker’s Island 5-7 p.m. Wednesday. Youth up to age 18 are welcome, but parents or guardians must drop them off and sign a permission slip. Parents can also join the paddle, if they choose.

The only weather that sidelines the university-led kayak trips are high winds, thunder and lightning, Gombar said. Wednesday’s drizzle didn’t slow them down at all.

“They still come in the rain,” Gombar said. Anywhere from five to 15 people take part in the weekly paddles.

Isensee said she hopes she can make it to more than one this summer.

“It’s a really cool program; the people are really nice,” she said. “It’s a great deal.”

For information, or to reserve a kayak, call (715) 395-4647 or email SOAP@uwsuper.edu. Information is also available at www.uwsuper.edu.

Tags: news, education, uws