Set Free
 A Woman's Recreation Program
Designed for Women by Women

  

Kayaking
 

Set Free Paddling Program for 2007 

Paddling Opportunities - Kayaking Prices - Programs - Kayaking Clinics

This program has a variety of opportunities and since this is our first official year, things will be tried and changed, as well as enhanced.     Take a look and then sign up and join us! Note the fees on this kayaking page. The punch card option is a good idea, as well as the best deal.  

What makes Set Free such an amazing program is the desire of the staff to custom fit this program around those who are interested, committed, and free.  

So when you look at the days and times of official programs and know you are not free when these are offered, now is the time to contact Pat. The reason we have selected these days and times is simply because we know there are gals free on Saturday, Monday or Thursday.  If you have another day and time that works better for you, please contact Pat and we will get the word out there to others and develop that time as well. Ideally women in our area will have the opportunity to be connected seven days a week at the times they are free.  That’s a goal we will strive to accomplish in the days ahead. It can happen; it has begun!  

Paddling Opportunities

When What Length of Time
Monday morning Area Wanderers Adventures 1-3 hours
Monday evening Kayaking Classes 1-2 hours
Wednesday evening Area Wanderers Adventures 1-3 hours
Thursday Bad Ax Adventures 2-6 hours
Saturday morning Combo of Area Wanderers and Bad Ax Adventures 2-6 hours
Sunday afternoon Combo of Area Wanderers and Bad Ax Adventures 2-5 hours

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Weekly Kayaking Programs - Spring through Fall Seasons

Area Wanderers Adventures
We have a list of over twenty different landings all within a 30-minute drive from LaCrosse.  We will introduce Area Wanderers to these landings and discuss optimal launch conditions.  Each landing has pros and cons depending upon the season, weather, wind and flood stage.  Knowledge increases independence and that is our goal.  All Area Wanderers Adventures are 1 to 3 hours.  Come join the fun!
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Bad Ax Water Adventures
 This is a group of experienced kayakers that explore new areas and then pass on to others what the learn.  Our list is constantly being updated and the group influences where we choose to paddle.  Some things we learn the hard way, but we enjoy every minute.  Drive time can be 20 minutes or 2 hours depending on our destination.  Budget 5-6 hours for these trips.  Come join the fun!
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Specialty Trips Offered

  • Sunrise Paddles • Moonlight Paddles
     
  • Foliage Enjoyment Paddles • Birding Special Paddles
  • State Park Paddles • County Park Paddles • River Trip Paddles

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Kayaking Clinics
Monday evening 1-2 Hours

Try-It Kayaking
This is highly recommended for those with no prior kayaking experience. It includes a quick presentation on land and then 40 minutes of paddling. You will learn the basics of safety, how to enter and exit a kayak and basic strokes to get you where you want to go.

Kayaking Stroke Clinic
Learn the techniques to improve your stroke. This is clinic will focus on developing the technique of the forward and reverse strokes, the forward sweep, backward sweep and stopping stroke, which will enhance your padding experience.

 Wet Exit on Flat Water
This clinic teaches you how to emergency exit a kayak on calm waters.

 Wet Exit River Style
This clinic teaches emergency exit from a kayak when there is a current.

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WE LIVE IN AN AWESOME PADDLING AREA

Kayaking is the foundation upon which this program has been established. Women in our area want to learn how to kayak, where to kayak, and when to kayak. We want to learn where to kayak and when to kayak. We want to go with others so that we feel safe at the landings and on the water. We want to go together just because it's fun to be with other women. So let's experience the LaCrosse area together. Let's learn the pure joy of accomplishment that comes from paddling on a variety of waters. In our area we have the Mississippi Backwaters and several other rivers, lakes and state and county parks to paddle in. Join us and multiply the pleasure.

WE LIVE IN AN AWESOME PADDLING AREA

We are fortunate to live on the Mighty Mississippi River Flyway. On the water we commonly see big birds like pelicans, swans, blue and green heron, eagles, osprey, cormorants and many types of ducks as well as a variety of small birds such as belted kingfisher, Baltimore orioles, cliff swallows, yellowleg, woodpeckers and snipe. It's Great! Many of these stay through the summer, some we enjoy only in spring and fall paddles. So join us and see the bird life from a different perspective - up close and personal.

WE LIVE IN AN AWESOME PADDLING AREA

Another great attraction for our paddlers are the beautiful flowers on our waterways. We start paddling very early in the year before the foliage has a chance to grow so we watch their entire life cycle. The first white water lily is celebrated and talked about until the lilies cover the water surface through which we paddle. We enjoy the many forms of arrowhead as well as the pickerel weed, spatterdock, water crowfoot, and the spectacular yellow lotus. Often we just float among them surrounded by beauty. We'd love to share it with you.

WE LIVE IN AN AWESOME PADDLING AREA

The Mighty Mississippi, the Black, the LaCrosse, the Bad Ax and the Root are a few of the rivers that we have explored. Lake Onalaska has seven landings that we paddle from with an additional three landings in its surrounding waters. That's ten landings and each landing  has several directions in which to paddle.  Each direction has its own personality and surrounding beauty. Then you consider season, wind and temperature -  it's amazing!  Conditions are constantly changing so whether it's a hot summer day, a spring sunrise, or a fall sunset, every paddle is unique.
 

WE LIVE IN AN AWESOME PADDLING AREA

Our specialists are knowledgeable and experienced.

Kris, our Kayak Specialist, has a thorough knowledge of kayaking skills and safety on the water. We appreciate her ability to impart that information to us.

Lynn, our Foliage Specialist, shares with us an in-depth knowledge of the beautiful vegetation in our area.

Pat takes charge of the recreation and fun. Her expertise is common sense gleamed from years of loving and appreciating the backwaters of our area.

WE LIVE IN AN AWESOME PADDLING AREA

Kayaking is wonderful, but there is danger in any water sport when practiced alone. It's easy to make a mistake. It's easy to get lost in the backwaters. Developing skills along with knowledge is important. There is much to learn and we can learn it together. The goal is independence along with safety. Set Free is all about freedom and enjoyment, but safety first!

WE LIVE IN AN AWESOME PADDLING AREA

Be Set Free to enjoy each day for the gift of time that it is!
 

Kayaking Prices


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