Kayak
Kayak. What a fun word to say. Kayak. Have you ever wondered where it originated? Probably not, but I’m about to tell you anyway.
The word kayak comes from an Inuit word meaning “man-boat” or “hunting boat.” Long, long ago, the Inuits of Greenland used kayaks made from animal skins stretched over wooden or whale-bone frames for transportation, hunting, and fishing. Fast forward a bunch of years and the kayak has morphed into a sleek, polyethylene bullet of a boat that’s not really used for hunting or as our main mode of transportation anymore.
But kayaking is one of today’s most popular watersports. It provides you with opportunities to go places and experience things you couldn’t otherwise. Kayaking is unique in that you can paddle your way through shallow streams, rivers, and creeks leaving bigger boats behind gawking with envy. Or you can cruise the lake - along the shore or right down the middle - at your own leisurely pace.
Kayaking is a fantastic way to stay in shape. It’s a great way to build cardiovascular strength. It also calls on your arms, shoulders, and pretty much your whole upper body to wake up and get to work. That said, it’s relatively low-skill and low-risk. Just about anybody can kayak. If you can sit on your tush with your legs out in front, you’re pretty much good to go.
And maybe the best part; kayaking doesn’t cost a lot to get into. If you plan on kayaking often, then your best bet is to buy one. You can pick one up for as little as a couple hundred bucks, or even less if you shop for used on any marketplace website.
But if you haven’t yet caught the kayaking bug, and you still need to test the waters, you may want to rent one. The good news; there are numerous and convenient places to rent, but none as convenient as the new self-serve kayak rental station right here in Rome at the Walden Park Kayak Launch located at 9th Avenue, where Spring Branch Creek meets Lake Camelot.
If you have a smartphone, it's as easy as 1-2-3-4.
Download the app and create an account. It takes 30 seconds.
Scan the QR code at the station to unlock the kayak (paddle and life jacket) of your choice.
Launch yourself at the dedicated launch site and paddle, paddle, paddle.
When you’re done, scan the QR code again and put it away. That’s it.
With your own, or with a rental, the kayak launch gives you access to a hidden gem of a waterway, Walden Pond. Walden Pond is designated for non-motorized water crafts only, so it’s quiet, peaceful, and surrounded by nothing but nature.
The serenity of Walden Pond affords you the opportunity to gaze at the beauty that abounds. It allows you to clear your head and think about nothing. Or let your mind go and think clever thoughts or even nonsensical ones - like how silly the word kayak is.
To learn more about kayak rentals and the Walden Park Kayak Launch, stop by the Visit Rome Welcome Center at 1146 County Road D, Nekoosa, Wisconsin or visit their website here.
Written by: Lydell Capritta
