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Outdoor UW paddling rentals, summer group experiences begin for the 2022 season

Posted: 06/01/22

Outdoor UW paddling rentals, summer group experiences begin for the 2022 season

Paddling rentals and summer outdoor group experiences have begun at Outdoor UW for the 2022 summer season, including the rental of tandem kayaks, single kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and an eight-person stand-up paddleboard.

Outdoor UW, the Wisconsin Union’s outlet to the outdoors, offers summer paddling rentals at its Memorial Union service desk. Customers can also make advance reservations online, by phone at (608) 262-1630 or by email. The Outdoor UW team can also assist with drop-in equipment rental requests at its service desk on the lower level of Memorial Union, pending rental equipment availability. No UWMadison affiliation is needed to enjoy Outdoor UW’s services. 

Wisconsin Union members will receive a 10% discount on paddling rentals on Thursdays throughout the summer, and current UWMadison students will receive a $2 discount on the rental of stand-up paddleboard, kayaks, canoes every day that Outdoor UW operates throughout the summer.  

The Outdoor UW team’s rentals can help make patrons’ adventures on both water and land possible; individuals can rent camping, hiking and climbing equipment rentals year-round as well as snowshoe and ice skate rentals during the winter. 

Outdoor UW also provides custom, private group activities tailored to patrons’ goals or interests in addition to offering private group SUP Squatch adventures, paddling games, paddling introduction, and paddling experiences. During the winter, patrons can make a reservation for a private group snowshoe guided trek.

Customers can also enjoy paddling, sightseeing and family-friendly games at Family Nights on Lake Mendota, which Outdoor UW will host at Memorial Union every Tuesday from 4-6 p.m. from June 7 to Aug. 30. Outdoor UW created the activities in this event series for people of all skill levels. 

“The outdoors is for everyone,” Outdoor UW Director Dave Elsmo said. “We’re here to help our customers discover new skills and adventures, advance their skills, make memories in the outdoors, team-build, and simply enjoy nature.”

 Individuals can purchase seasonal storage space for their canoes or kayaks right at the shores of Lake Mendota at Willow Beach or University Bay. Customers can contact Outdoor UW at (608) 262-1630 or by email to learn more about available storage space. 

Patrons can learn more about Outdoor UW’s services and events here.

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