Rivers are nature's highways, which is why ducks are known for their road rage. Change lanes without capsizing with today's Groupon: for $30, you get a half-day Learn and Launch kayak experience from Paddle and Trail (a $60 value). This Groupon is valid for five locations: Aurora; Rockford; Loves Park; Beloit, WI; and Edgerton, WI.
Paddle and Trail's guides lead adventurers on urban escapes and outdoor programs that stray from the beaten path and onto untrodden waterways. Up to 12 customers gather for a two-hour Quick Start kayak class, in which they learn the basics of paddle pulling, as well as how to avoid hazards, compliment attractive fish, and rescue fellow kayakers. Once these basics are locked away, kayakers trek down to the river for a two-hour trip, putting new skills to practice and watching for rare sightings of feral kayaks. Afterward, the stalwart staff shuttles customers back to water-envious vehicles, waiting to be regaled with stories of their owners' high-river adventures.
Paddlers' packs should be stocked with a towel, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a high-five, and a bottle of water. Please wear water-friendly footwear (no flip-flops or flippers) and bring a change of warm-weather clothes.
Be Active Outdoors
Be Active Outdoors organizes physical and recreational activities for adults and children of all fitness levels. Regular events challenge locals to break their sedentary habits with 10-mile bike rides, lessons on revitalizing waterways, and group adventure races. An annual river-basin tournament combines a focus on conservation with thrilling paddleboat and shoreline fishing. The Amped Up Adventure race complicates traditional adventure racing with urban elements including biking, running, paddling, and an obstacle course to get people moving in their home environments.