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
A special winter seminar is being held on March 6th at 6:30 in the festival room. Members and racers from the MYC will be there for a meet-and-greet.
Agenda:
- Why race sailboats
- History of E Scows
- Why race and E Scow – A Love Letter
- Spinnaker work
- Mendota Yacht Club
- Racing terms and what to expect.
- Tips for crew
- How to get involved
Nominations for Commodore, Vice-Commodore, or Rear Commodore will open February 21st and close the 27th. Be sure to check the Elections page for updates and anything else you might need to know
HMC ventured down to Puerto Rico this Winter Break! Some beautiful weather and stellar sport climbing makes for a good couple weeks.
The club heads out to the Red Rocks area annually for some of the best sport climbing in the country. This year, the group stayed in the Las Vegas area. Two weeks of good times!
Annual Halloween weekend trip to the Red! HMC camps at the legendary Miguel's Pizza campground every year, and sport climbs some most legendary crags.
Upcoming Events
Devil's Lake Bouldering: Reserve
Hey folks,
Are you looking to get out and have a fun day of bouldering with fellow hoofers? Well you have come to the right place. We are going to spend the day at the reserve, a really fun and classic part of Devil's Lake bouldering. Never been outdoor bouldering? All good, beginners welcome.
420 Work Party
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Time to wash, wax, and rig the 420s! We will meet by the yellow pavilion. Please wear closed-toed shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a water bottle.
T10 Work Party
We will be working on T10's - various tasks to get the boats ready for lift in. The boats are located at the farm in Arlington @ W7169 Ramsey Road.
Bottom Paint and Trailer Prep - J-Fleet
It's time to get the Light Keelboat Fleet ready for the water.!
We will meet at the farm in Arlington (winter storage).
Tasks: Paint anti-foul to the hulls of 8 boats, check tires and lights on trailers, and secure the boats for transport to the lake for early May lift-in. Wear work clothes as you may get dirty.
LOCATION: W7169 Ramsey Rd. Arlington. 43°17'41.3"N 89°21'30.8"W The farm is about 25 minutes from campus just north of DeForest. Please reach out if you would like share a ride or get a ride.
RAIN DATE: Sunday 4/28
Winch maintenance lesson (Light Keel Boats)
This will be a training lesson / work party for all aspects of winch maintenance on light keelboats. We will cover ( and perform):
- Winch removal
- Dissassembly
- Cleaning
- Greasing of gears
- Oiling of pawls
- Reassembly
- Winch installation
This event will take place at the boat winter storage area on the farm in Leeds WI. Take 51 towards Leeds, and then turn left on Ramsey Rd. Travel west for 1.5 miles. The farm with the boat storage is on the left at W7169 Ramsey Rd.
Kohler Stables Tour
Interested in seeing how some of the world's top horses live? Join us for a tour of Kohler Stables, home to National and World Champion Morgan horses! The tour will include the facilities, the horses themselves, and even some new foals.
There is no cost for this tour and transportation will be provided. Everyone is welcome to sign up!
Scow Rigging Work Party
With the scows back on the lakefront, we're ready to get to rigging! We will be working on stepping the masts and slapping some booms on the C and E scows. This is a great way to help the fleet get up and running for the season, and to learn about the scows! Volunteer hours will be awarded :)
Scow Rigging Work Party
With the scows back on the lakefront, we're ready to get to rigging! We will be working on stepping the masts and slapping some booms on the C and E scows. This is a great way to help the fleet get up and running for the season, and to learn about the scows! Volunteer hours will be awarded :)
[4/28] INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL @ LAKESHORE NATURE PRESERVE
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REBOUND YOUR SOCIAL CREDIT SCORE AFTER MIFFLIN?
WONDERING HOW YOU COULD EVER FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF AGAIN AFTER BLACKING OUT BEFORE 12:00PM?
Satisfy your conscience by joining us for some invasive species removal from 9:15am to 11:30am on Sunday with the Lakeshore Nature Preserve! Each invasive plant removed is like a beer can picked up off the streets of Mifflin. Each bunch of garlic mustard ripped out of the ground removes the musty aftermath Mifflin smell right out of the air. Want to do your part? Want to feel better about yourself again? Join us!
We'll meet at Story Teller's Circle (by Bascom Hill; map here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/y3pav97s5yhPygacA)
- Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes
- Bring at least 1L water and snacks
Please let us know if you have any comments/questions/concerns/late-Devonian extinction memes by emailing conservation@hooferouting.org!
Virtual Ground School
Event Information: Want to learn to sail? Come join us! Our Ground School lesson is an introductory and informational course about the Hoofer Sailing Club and all it has to offer. No membership is required to sign up for this course, though one can be purchased afterwards for access to all lessons.
About the Club: The Hoofer Sailing Club, established in 1939, is a collection of students and community members working together to maintain a fleet of boats for recreational and competitive sailing. Membership includes unlimited lessons and boat usage. Our fleet, one of the largest in the nation, includes dinghies, keelboats, windsurfing and even winter kiting. The Hoofer Sailing Club is an association of individuals working together to maintain a fleet of boats for recreational and competitive sailing, and to offer a top-notch instruction program. More information can be found online here.
Location: This Lesson will occur virtually through the Zoom platform. Members signed up for this event will receive an email from the lessons site on the day of the presentation containing a link and password for joining the meeting. Please keep an eye out for it.
Using Zoom is free. You do not need to install the app or create a Zoom account, but doing so may result in a better user experience. Please visit the Zoom website for more information (https://zoom.us).
Students who attend this lesson will earn their Ground School Attendance rating, which opens access to other sailing lessons.
Post-Lesson Resources:
Scow Rigging Work Party
With the scows back on the lakefront, we're ready to get to rigging! We will be working on stepping the masts and slapping some booms on the C and E scows. This is a great way to help the fleet get up and running for the season, and to learn about the scows! Volunteer hours will be awarded :)
Spring Bloom Lakeshore Run!
Join me and Alex for the final lake run of the semester! We will be exploring a new area near the Lakeshore Preserve, while also running through the Preserve too. It is gonna be a great temperature for running! Pace will depend on the group, but these are pretty chill runs, not super long or intense. All skill levels are welcome!
Meet up at the entrance to Picnic Point near the bike racks and bus stop. The 80 and 84 can both take you there, as well as the Lakeshore Path!
The Preserve will be in full spring bloom, so I hope to see you there!
**The email originally said Saturday, I am not sure why. It is on Sunday, April 28th!
Gear Manager Office Hours
Gear Manager Office hours is a time to get gear and ratings from the gear managers. This even occurs every monday during the spring semester from 4-5pm.
Outdoor Explorer Series (Introductory Course): Intro Expeditionary Canoeing
Have you ever wanted to take an overnight or multi day paddling trip, but not know what you need to do this successfully?
Join us for our new Outdoor Explorer Series: Intro to Expeditionary Canoeing and learn all about the thrilling world of expeditionary canoeing! Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, where tranquil waters meet untamed landscapes, and discover the art of paddling through uncharted territories.
This class will:
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Guide you through the basics of canoeing, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for both beginners and seasoned paddlers
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Teach you essential skills so you can confidently embark on your own canoeing expeditions.
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Discuss safety and equip you with the knowledge to navigate waterways responsibly.
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Share tips to help you connect with nature while in a canoe and discover hidden coves, witness wildlife in their natural habitat, and experience the tranquility that only expeditionary canoeing can offer.
Embark on a journey of self-discovery and exploration. Join our Expeditionary Canoeing Class today and let the adventure begin!
------- Class is located in the Mendota Lodge located in Memorial Union (along the lakefront and across from the Outdoor UW office) -------
HOC General Meeting
Hey folks!
Join us every Tuesday night for our Hoofer Outing Club general meeting! These are free to the public, and we meet in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union at 7pm (near the Lakefront and Outdoor UW office). We will be telling stories of recent trips, discussing upcoming events, and getting to know each other. Our meetings are open to all who wish to be involved in the outdoors! See you there!
No registration is required!
How to get there:
The General Meetings are typically in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union. This room is across from the Outdoor UW desk in the basement of the Union. To find it I would recommend either using Union doors right by the 80 bus stop, walking down a full level to the Wheelhouse, then taking the long hallway that will start with brown wallpaper and transitions to blue; the Mendota Lodge will be the last room on your left. You can also access it from the terrace if you walk inside the doors to the Union right by the wood staircase that goes onto the lake; the Mendota lodge will be the first room on your right.
Look forward to seeing you all there!
Lakeshore Clean Up with WUD Alt Breaks
Howdy folks,
Join us on Thursday, May 2nd for a belated Earth Day cleanup with WUD Alternative Breaks! We will walk to Picnic Point and clean up our beloved Lakeshore Path along the way! Take a break from studying, get some fresh air, and help protect our environment!
We will meet outside the Outdooor UW Office (by the Mendota Lodge in the basement of Memorial Union) at 3:00 pm, and start our journey shortly after. All are welcome, so bring your friends—members and non-members!
Items to bring:
- Water
- Comfy shoes
*WUD will supply garbage bags and gloves
Question? Email mountaineering@hooferambassadors.org
Northern WI Whitewater Canoeing
Join us in taking advantage of some of the beautiful rivers right here in Wisconsin as we canoe through some moving water! This trip will require an R1-OC2 rating as we will be canoeing on moving water. The price of the trip will be $18 paid on rechub at signup, and then participants should expect to venmo drivers an additional $10-20 for gas.The plan is as follows:
Thursday: load boats up at Memorial Union, leave sometime between 3-5pm (flexible!), drive 2.5 hours to Tigerton Campground in Tigerton, WI.
Friday: spend the day whitewater paddling in canoes on the Red River
Saturday: paddle the Little Wolf River in the morning, drive 3 hours back to Madison, arrive back to Madison around 3-4pm.
We will follow up with more detailed logistics and packing information after registration.
Security
Security is the process of stowing our equipment and locking up the Club for the evening. By signing up for this lesson, you will be awarded volunteer hours for the time you are there.
Security can start 30 minutes before Lake Rescue and Safety closes, and fifteen minutes before Outdoor UW closes.
Click here for the security checklist (short version).
Click here for the security checklist with pictures (with more details).
If you have any issues during your security shift or are unable to complete a task, please fill this form.
Reach out to the Head of Instruction with any questions or notes.
Note for Event Leaders: Once an instructor has signed up as event leader for a security event, the evening is their responsibility, and if they become unavailable they are expected to find someone to replace them.
Location: Meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Security
Security is the process of stowing our equipment and locking up the Club for the evening. By signing up for this lesson, you will be awarded volunteer hours for the time you are there.
Security can start 30 minutes before Lake Rescue and Safety closes, and fifteen minutes before Outdoor UW closes.
Click here for the security checklist (short version).
Click here for the security checklist with pictures (with more details).
If you have any issues during your security shift or are unable to complete a task, please fill this form.
Reach out to the Head of Instruction with any questions or notes.
Note for Event Leaders: Once an instructor has signed up as event leader for a security event, the evening is their responsibility, and if they become unavailable they are expected to find someone to replace them.
Location: Meet under the yellow canopy next to the lake lab. If you are unable to find your instructor, please check in with the Outdoor UW Office.
Hoofers x Gilda x AMOM
Hey Hoofers!!
We have a cool opportunity to collaborate with Gilda (cancer support community) and AMOM (A Moment of Magic) for a cross-over event. We get to go to the Gilda facility and teach kids from the Madison community how to do simple outdoor activities like setting up a tent, packing a pack, making a fire, and different types of knots, etc. It will be a super fun way to get younger kids interested in the outdoors and practice your teaching skills.
Because we will be working with kids with cancer it is REQUIRED to attend virtual training on May 1st from 4:45-5:45 before the event.