The big move took place on June 5 when Carl and friends paddled the boats over from Lake Monona. Carl said the Yahara River is perfect for buyers testing the canoes and kayaks because of its usual placid state. Currently potential buyers walk over the old railroad bridge and then use an old dock on the eastern side of the river to test the canoe or kayak.
Carl got his start in the business at the young age of 16 when he went canoeing on the Kickapoo River in southwestern Wisconsin. He was using a clunker of a canoe when somebody let him use a high-end canoe and he was hooked! He said that he called the company and asked if he could buy a canoe and they said that they didnÕt have a dealer in the area and he would have to buy a minimum of four canoes. Well, he talked three friends into buying canoes and a business was started. Then he talked his father into going down to the bank to co-sign a loan to buy twelve more canoes (with the canoe company still not knowing he was 16) and he hasnÕt looked back.
Since it is a relatively small store, Carl is selective about what he carries. He said he only carries canoes and kayaks that paddle well. Brand names include Bell, Source River, Merrimac, and Marathon along with others. A full line of accessories is available. Rental and used kayaks and canoes are available along with lessons.
Store hours are 10-6 weekdays, 10-5 Saturdays, and noon-5 on Sundays. Parking is available on the north side of the building. The phone number for the store is 284-0300 and the web site is paddlin.com.
If you are ever in the vicinity of the store Wednesday evenings, check out "deadfish polo". After work on Wednesdays store employees and friends go out to the Yahara to engage in some friendly competition. Deadfish polo is a paddling skills game that began as the rude toss of a fish using the blade of the paddle and got "civilized" by using sponges or balls. The goal of this game is to score on an opponent by picking up a floating sponge using only the paddle and flipping it into an opponent's canoe (or kayak). The style is rough and tumble and can be compared to picnic volleyball as compared to rules intensive competitive volleyball.
LetÕs welcome CarlÕs PaddlinÕ to our neighborhood.