Paddling During the Pandemic

It’s tough for kayakers to get out to enjoy the water these days. So far this year COVID-19 travel restrictions and questions about what constitutes safe outdoor recreation during these “uncertain times” have kept some paddlers from paddling. I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of kayaking (28 times this […]

Team River Runner – Apostle Islands 2019

It was my third year to organize and lead our Team River Runner kayak camping trip in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Sept. 14-19, 2019. This year 12 participants, (including eight military veterans with disabilities) enjoyed spectacular weather, paddling, camping and hiking in this kayakers’ paradise. For some it was […]

Foggy River Breakdown

A few photos from Tuesday evening “golf league” on the Red River. The air temperature was nearly 80⁰F and the water was 63⁰F, which produced dramatic scenes as the evening sun shone through the fog during quieter moments on the river. Boaters: Mike, Matt, Cliff and me. A blue heron […]

One Year After: Team River Runner in Grand Canyon

One year ago today I set out on a 12-day Team River Runner kayak trip on the mighty Colorado River through 226 miles of Grand Canyon. I had a feeling it would be special but I didn’t know at the time how profoundly this remarkable journey through the canyon would […]

My Version of Tuesday “Golf League”

Some people like to golf, and that’s okay. But instead of joining a golf league, here’s how our informal group of whitewater kayakers (numbering anywhere from 4 to 14) enjoys spending every Tuesday evening at our local whitewater venue, the Red River near Gresham, WI, flowing tonight at about 400 […]

First-time paddlers try whitewater

Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers’ (NEWP) annual student whitewater outing on the Red River took place this past Saturday. Each year this event gives students from NEWP-led kayaking classes in Appleton, Green Bay and Fond Du Lac the opportunity to practice skills they learned during indoor pool classes. For some it was […]

Finding Flow in SE Wisconsin

Early season whitewater kayaking has turned into a birthday tradition for me these past few years. However, the rivers in northern Wisconsin are still iced in (up?) so on Wednesday I drove down to the Grafton and Cedarburg area to meet up with my O.W.K.M. (Original Whitewater Kayak Mentor) Rob […]

Paddling on the Big Screen

Each year the World Tour Paddling Film Festival screens in more than 120 cities around the world, so my paddle club thought we should bring it to Wisconsin this year. Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers (NEWP) hosted the Paddling Film Festival this past Friday evening, March 22 at Lawrence University in Appleton, […]