Our Clubs
The Wisconsin Hoofers is the premier outdoors club at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With nearly 2,000 members, Hoofers is one of the oldest and largest student organization on campus. From sailing on Lake Mendota to climbing at Devil’s Lake, Hoofers is a place where people of all abilities can learn outdoor skills and enjoy outdoor activities. Hoofers is proud to be part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate, the student programming and leadership board for the Wisconsin Union. Get outside with us and hoof on!

Mountaineering
Rock OnFrom conquering the rock wall at Boulders Climbing Gym to traveling the country in search of the most challenging climbs in the country, Mountaineering Club members take trips that challenge climbers of all levels.

Outing
Get FoundFrom canoe trips and backpacking excursions in the fall, to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter, Outing Club members explore the country through wilderness excursions.

Riding
Change PaceFrom horseback riding lessons to schooling shows, Riding Club members are involved in all the ins and outs of riding and horsemanship.

Sailing
Set SailFrom learning how to sail a C-Scow to weekly Friday night socials, Sailing Club members spend time with fellow sailors on and off the water. The Sailing Club’s claim to fame: they have the second largest inland fleet of boats in the nation.
Scuba
Go DeeperFrom year-round trips and training sessions to socials with other divers, Scuba Club members (both certified and not) explore life beneath the surface.
Ski and Snowboard
ShredFrom weekly trips to Tyrol Basin to the Jackson Hole spring break excursion, Ski and Snowboard Club members know how to take advantage of winter.
Get Out and Get Active
How to Join
1. Pick a Club!
We offer six clubs: Mountaineering, Outing, Riding, Sailing, Scuba, and Ski & Snowboard. You can join as many clubs as you'd like! For more information, check out each club's site from the menu above, or head over to the Clubs page for an overview!
2. Create your Account!
When you're ready to join a club (or multiple clubs!), head over to our member site at https://members.hoofers.org to create your account! You must be a Union Member to join. Note that UW-Madison students are automatically granted Union membership.
3. Sign Up for Events!
Once you've joined a club, you can search for events and sign up from the Member Site. Pick your favorite event, sign up, and get ready for an adventure!
Contact Us
Wisconsin Hoofers
Memorial Union, Lower Level
800 Langdon St.
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-1630
info@hoofers.org
Contact Us
News
The famous Friday socials are starting up May 19th @ 6pm. Come down and enjoy the Nacho bar with your fellow sailors.

A group of Hoofers explored the stunning Suwannee River of northern Florida. They paddled about 45 miles of the river and explored the other scenery that Florida has to offer.
📍Timucua Land

These Hoofers hiked in North Carolina with a major portion of their trip following the Appalachian Trail. Along the way, they had the pleasure of meeting many thru-hikers who started their journey in Georgia and are making their way to Maine! This trip was a LIT trip that focused on teaching the elements and steps required in leading a successful trip.
📍Cherokee Land
Soaking up the sun, sand, and scenery of New Mexico! This group explored the amazing views of the Gila Wilderness for spring break!
They spent four days hiking and exploring the grand valleys, stunning mesas, and immense sand dunes of the region. Everyone on this trip experienced amazing opportunities, including sand sledding!
📍Chiricahua Apache Land
Elections for Commodore, Vice-Commodore, or Rear Commodore will be held between Tuesday, March 21 and Monday, March 27. Information about the canidates will be posted on the website. Be sure to check the Elections page for updates.
Upcoming Events
Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing (On Land)
Event Information: This lesson will cover the basics of sailing and introduce you to the Badger Sloop. Instructional topics will include boat vocabulary, basic sailing principles, knots, and rigging (setting up) the boat. Students will not be on the water during this lesson and are welcome to wear regular clothes instead of sailing clothes.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: Ground School Attendance Rating. Please read the Badger Sloop Manual prior to this lesson.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Sloop Light rating. The Sloop fleet uses a series of skill check-off ratings (Rigging, Crew Overboard, Landing, Boat Handling) to help keep track of proficiency. Once all of the check-off ratings have been earned by a student, they will be issued a Badger Sloop Light rating. It is recommended that students take this lesson once, followed by a Badger Sloop Lesson two to three times to earn their skill check offs and eventually Badger Sloop Light rating.
Post-Lesson Resources:
Intro to Dinghy Sailing
Event Information: This two and a half hour on-land lesson will cover the basics of sailing and introduce you to two of the Hoofer Sailing Club’s introductory boats, the Badger Techs and RS Zests. Instructional topics will include boat vocabulary, basic sailing principles, knots, and rigging (setting up) both types of boat. Students will not be in boats during this lesson and are welcome to wear regular clothes instead of sailing clothes.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: Ground School Attendance Rating.
Students who take this lesson will be issued the Intro to Dinghy Attendance Rating
Post-Lesson Resources:
Swim Test
Come get your swim test before it's too late! This thursday at 1pm is your chance to get your swim test rating, which is needed to go on any water based trip in the club. This includes treading water for 2 minuets and swimming 100 yards. This rating can be obtained with a life jacket or without, and signifies that you are comfortable in the water.
Hope to see you there!
J24 Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will focus on refinement of skills specific to the J24 and the knowledge gained in Intro to Keelboat. Students will have the chance to further practice rigging, boat handling, landing and crew overboard procedures. This lesson will take place predominantly on the water.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: Intro to Keelboat Attendance Rating
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their J24 Light rating. The Keelboat fleet uses a J-Fleet sign off sheet for earning ratings to help keep track of proficiency. Once the student has filled out a J-Fleet sign off sheet, they will be eligible to earn a J24 Light rating. It will take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Post-Lesson Resources:
J24 Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will focus on refinement of skills specific to the J24 and the knowledge gained in Intro to Keelboat. Students will have the chance to further practice rigging, boat handling, landing and crew overboard procedures. This lesson will take place predominantly on the water.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: Intro to Keelboat Attendance Rating
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their J24 Light rating. The Keelboat fleet uses a J-Fleet sign off sheet for earning ratings to help keep track of proficiency. Once the student has filled out a J-Fleet sign off sheet, they will be eligible to earn a J24 Light rating. It will take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Post-Lesson Resources:
Badger Sloop Lesson
Event Information: This three hour lesson will focus on refinement of skills learned in the Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing lesson. Students will have the chance to further practice rigging, boat handling, landing and crew overboard procedures. This lesson will take place predominantly on the water.
Location: This lesson will meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, or if there is inclement weather, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Prerequisites: Completion of the Intro to Badger Sloop Sailing Lesson. Please review the Badger Sloop Manual prior to this lesson.
Students who take this lesson will be working toward earning their Sloop Light rating. The Sloop fleet uses a series of skill check-off ratings (Rigging, Crew Overboard, Landing, Boat Handling) to help keep track of proficiency. Once all of the check-off ratings have been earned by a student, they will be issued a Badger Sloop Light rating. It may take several lessons to achieve proficiency in the skills that constitute the rating. Ratings are issued at the discretion of the Instructor.
Post-Lesson Resources:
Two-Person Craft Rental
This reservation is for a two-person craft rental (Canoe or Tandem Kayak). Only one reservation is required for you and your paddling partner. An additional liability waiver will be required for the second occupant upon arrival to your rental. If you would like to rent a single person craft (single kayak or stand-up paddleboard), please check our rental calendar for alternate options.
- Complete your reservation before arriving
- Payment will be required
- A waiver will be signed
- Review our cancellation policy
- Arrive to the Outdoor UW Office
- The office is located in the lower level overlooking the lake front on the west side of the building.
- Additional directions and information will be sent in a confirmation email.
- Arrive early if you plan to change, use the bathroom, or rent a locker. Locker rentals are available for $1 through our front desk (or at the time of your rental reservation)
- The second occupant of the boat will need to complete a waiver in our office.
- Let's Paddle!
- Our team will help you gear up and provide a safety orientation.
- Return your boat
- Reservations are for one hour. Should you want a longer time period, please sign-up for an additional timeslot.
- Our staff will help you exit your boat and put away your equipment.
- Don't forget to visit the terrace for food and drinks after!
Participants under 18:
If you are signing your child up for this event, just select the quantity of crafts you will need to accommodate your party. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian and all participants under 16 must be in the same paddlecraft as their legal guardian.
Participants over 18:
Select the number of crafts you would like and then proceed with your payment. You will be prompted to enter your information and agree to our waiver. Follow the prompts until you are directed back to the event page and you are listed as a participant.
Single Craft Rental
This reservation is for a single-person craft rental (Single Kayak or Stand-up Paddleboard). Don't forget to invite your friends to sign-up! If you would like to rent a two-person craft (Tandem Kayak or Canoe), please check our rental calendar for alternate options.
- Complete your reservation before arriving
- Payment will be required
- A waiver will be signed
- Review our cancellation policy
- Arrive to the Outdoor UW Office
- The office is located in the lower level overlooking the lake front on the west side of the building.
- Additional directions and information will be sent in a confirmation email.
- Arrive early if you plan to change, use the bathroom, or rent a locker. Locker rentals are available for $1 through our front desk (or at the time of your rental reservation)
- Let's Paddle!
- Our team will help you gear up and provide a safety orientation.
- Return your boat
- Reservations are for one hour. Should you want a longer time period, please sign-up for an additional timeslot.
- Our staff will help you exit your boat and put away your equipment.
- Don't forget to visit the terrace for food and drinks after!
If you are signing your child up for this event, just select the quantity of crafts you will need to accommodate your party. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian and all participants under 16 must be in the same paddlecraft as their legal guardian.
Participants over 18:
Select the number of crafts you would like and then proceed with your payment. You will be prompted to enter your information and agree to our waiver. Follow the prompts until you are directed back to the event page and you are listed as a participant.
SUPSquatch Rental
This reservation is for a SUPSquatch rental (5-8 person paddleboard) for 1 hour. If you would like to go out for more than 1 hour or during a different time than the reservation posting, please contact our office at 608-262-1630. One person from the party will sign up here and pay the full price. You can split this cost later amongst yourselves, but the full price must be paid by one person. If you would like to rent a single-person craft (Solo Kayak or Stand-Up Paddleboard) or a two-person craft (Tandem Kayak or Canoe), please check our rental calendar for alternate options.
- Complete your reservation before arriving
- Payment will be required
- A waiver will be signed
- For any other members of the party, they will need to sign a paper waiver in our office upon arrival. The person whose name the reservation is under will have already signed the waiver online by reserving the craft.
- Review our cancellation policy
- Arrive to the Outdoor UW Office
- The office is located in the lower level overlooking the lake front on the west side of the building.
- Additional directions and information will be sent in a confirmation email.
- Arrive early if you plan to change, use the bathroom, or rent a locker. Locker rentals are available for $1 through our front desk (or at the time of your rental reservation)
- Let's Paddle!
- Our team will help you gear up and provide a safety orientation.
- Return your boat
- Reservations are for one hour. Should you want a longer time period, please contact our office at 608-262-1630.
- Our staff will help you exit your boat and put away your equipment.
- Don't forget to visit the terrace for food and drinks after!
Participants under 18:
All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian so that they can sign the child's waiver. If there are any children under the age of 16, we require that there are at least 2 adults on the craft as well in order to maneuver the craft properly.
Participants over 18:
We require that there are at least 3 people on the board (at least 2 adults if some of the participants are under 16). The board can accommodate up to 8 people.
Two-Person Craft Rental
This reservation is for a two-person craft rental (Canoe or Tandem Kayak). Only one reservation is required for you and your paddling partner. An additional liability waiver will be required for the second occupant upon arrival to your rental. If you would like to rent a single person craft (single kayak or stand-up paddleboard), please check our rental calendar for alternate options.
- Complete your reservation before arriving
- Payment will be required
- A waiver will be signed
- Review our cancellation policy
- Arrive to the Outdoor UW Office
- The office is located in the lower level overlooking the lake front on the west side of the building.
- Additional directions and information will be sent in a confirmation email.
- Arrive early if you plan to change, use the bathroom, or rent a locker. Locker rentals are available for $1 through our front desk (or at the time of your rental reservation)
- The second occupant of the boat will need to complete a waiver in our office.
- Let's Paddle!
- Our team will help you gear up and provide a safety orientation.
- Return your boat
- Reservations are for one hour. Should you want a longer time period, please sign-up for an additional timeslot.
- Our staff will help you exit your boat and put away your equipment.
- Don't forget to visit the terrace for food and drinks after!
Participants under 18:
If you are signing your child up for this event, just select the quantity of crafts you will need to accommodate your party. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian and all participants under 16 must be in the same paddlecraft as their legal guardian.
Participants over 18:
Select the number of crafts you would like and then proceed with your payment. You will be prompted to enter your information and agree to our waiver. Follow the prompts until you are directed back to the event page and you are listed as a participant.
Single Craft Rental
This reservation is for a single-person craft rental (Single Kayak or Stand-up Paddleboard). Don't forget to invite your friends to sign-up! If you would like to rent a two-person craft (Tandem Kayak or Canoe), please check our rental calendar for alternate options.
- Complete your reservation before arriving
- Payment will be required
- A waiver will be signed
- Review our cancellation policy
- Arrive to the Outdoor UW Office
- The office is located in the lower level overlooking the lake front on the west side of the building.
- Additional directions and information will be sent in a confirmation email.
- Arrive early if you plan to change, use the bathroom, or rent a locker. Locker rentals are available for $1 through our front desk (or at the time of your rental reservation)
- Let's Paddle!
- Our team will help you gear up and provide a safety orientation.
- Return your boat
- Reservations are for one hour. Should you want a longer time period, please sign-up for an additional timeslot.
- Our staff will help you exit your boat and put away your equipment.
- Don't forget to visit the terrace for food and drinks after!
If you are signing your child up for this event, just select the quantity of crafts you will need to accommodate your party. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian and all participants under 16 must be in the same paddlecraft as their legal guardian.
Participants over 18:
Select the number of crafts you would like and then proceed with your payment. You will be prompted to enter your information and agree to our waiver. Follow the prompts until you are directed back to the event page and you are listed as a participant.
Two-Person Craft Rental
This reservation is for a two-person craft rental (Canoe or Tandem Kayak). Only one reservation is required for you and your paddling partner. An additional liability waiver will be required for the second occupant upon arrival to your rental. If you would like to rent a single person craft (single kayak or stand-up paddleboard), please check our rental calendar for alternate options.
- Complete your reservation before arriving
- Payment will be required
- A waiver will be signed
- Review our cancellation policy
- Arrive to the Outdoor UW Office
- The office is located in the lower level overlooking the lake front on the west side of the building.
- Additional directions and information will be sent in a confirmation email.
- Arrive early if you plan to change, use the bathroom, or rent a locker. Locker rentals are available for $1 through our front desk (or at the time of your rental reservation)
- The second occupant of the boat will need to complete a waiver in our office.
- Let's Paddle!
- Our team will help you gear up and provide a safety orientation.
- Return your boat
- Reservations are for one hour. Should you want a longer time period, please sign-up for an additional timeslot.
- Our staff will help you exit your boat and put away your equipment.
- Don't forget to visit the terrace for food and drinks after!
Participants under 18:
If you are signing your child up for this event, just select the quantity of crafts you will need to accommodate your party. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian and all participants under 16 must be in the same paddlecraft as their legal guardian.
Participants over 18:
Select the number of crafts you would like and then proceed with your payment. You will be prompted to enter your information and agree to our waiver. Follow the prompts until you are directed back to the event page and you are listed as a participant.
Single Craft Rental
This reservation is for a single-person craft rental (Single Kayak or Stand-up Paddleboard). Don't forget to invite your friends to sign-up! If you would like to rent a two-person craft (Tandem Kayak or Canoe), please check our rental calendar for alternate options.
- Complete your reservation before arriving
- Payment will be required
- A waiver will be signed
- Review our cancellation policy
- Arrive to the Outdoor UW Office
- The office is located in the lower level overlooking the lake front on the west side of the building.
- Additional directions and information will be sent in a confirmation email.
- Arrive early if you plan to change, use the bathroom, or rent a locker. Locker rentals are available for $1 through our front desk (or at the time of your rental reservation)
- Let's Paddle!
- Our team will help you gear up and provide a safety orientation.
- Return your boat
- Reservations are for one hour. Should you want a longer time period, please sign-up for an additional timeslot.
- Our staff will help you exit your boat and put away your equipment.
- Don't forget to visit the terrace for food and drinks after!
If you are signing your child up for this event, just select the quantity of crafts you will need to accommodate your party. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian and all participants under 16 must be in the same paddlecraft as their legal guardian.
Participants over 18:
Select the number of crafts you would like and then proceed with your payment. You will be prompted to enter your information and agree to our waiver. Follow the prompts until you are directed back to the event page and you are listed as a participant.