Hoofers Annual Winter Carnival was a huge success! From moonlit hikes to hockey tournaments to gingerbread house crafting there was a fun, winter-themed activity for everyone. On Monday, members of...
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Adventure is Out There
Welcome to Hoofers!
Get outside today!
Welcome to Wisconsin Hoofers! We are a student-led organization at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, dedicated to providing excellence in outdoor recreation. Anyone can become a Hoofer. In fact, we have over 3,000 active members each year with countless more alumni worldwide!
Who We Are
From exploring shipwrecks to skiing knee-deep powder, we’ve got you covered. Want to try something you’ve never done before? We’ll teach you! Each club offers lessons and encourages all levels of experience to join in on the adventure.
Clubs
Mountaineering
From conquering your first rock wall to traveling the country in search of the most challenging climbs in the country, the Hoofer Mountaineering club has a level of intensity for every climber. Stay on top of your game with trips to Devils lake and Boulders climbing facility.
Go climb!
Outing
Join the Hoofer Outing Club for a chance to both explore Madison and escape on wilderness adventures!. The outing club focuses not only on making trips happen, but also on fostering outdoor leadership and skills. Activities run year round and range from paddling, biking, and climbing to cross country skiing, backpacking, and everything in between!Explore!
Riding
Hoofers Riding Club offers horseback riding lessons and schooling shows for beginners, advanced riders, and anyone in between. Riding owns and operates a stable in Belleville, WI (about 25 minutes off campus) with 17 amazing school horses. Each lesson session runs for 6 weeks, and you can choose which time, day, and level best suits you.
Saddle up!
Scuba
Hoofer Scuba takes exploration to new depths with year-round trips, training sessions and socials. Whether it’s carving pumpkins and decorating christmas trees underwater for the holidays, or exploring shipwrecks around the country, the Scuba club has something to test every diver’s abilities.
Dive in!
Ski and Snowboard
As seen walking around campus in the signature SnS winter hats, the Hoofer Ski and Snowboard club members take advantage of weekly lessons and trips to Tyrol Basin, winter break trips to ride some of the most famous resorts in the west, a weekend at Mount Bohemia, the annual Jackson Hole spring break trip, and taking over Observatory Hill for the annual Rail Jam.
Go Shred!
Sailing
With the second largest inland fleet of boats in the United States, the Hoofers Sailing Club offers lessons with anything from techs and wind surfing to scows and keelboats. The 1,000 plus members that make up the sailing club enjoy the perks of Friday night socials and special events on and off the water.
Set sail!
Teams
Sailing
Show off your sailing skills on the big stage with the University of Wisconsin Sailing Team. If it’s your first day on a boat or you’ve spent more time on the water than land, all levels of experience are welcome. Join the team as they travel from regatta to regatta, taking on colleges from around the country!
Go Go!
Equestrian
The Wisconsin Equestrian is made up of a team of 35-40 riders from all backgrounds and disciplines. Experience levels range from horse lovers who have never had the chance to take up riding to those who have been successful in the upper levels of equitation, hunters and jumpers.
Saddle up!
Nordic
The Nordic Team, a co-ed racing team, participates in citizen races around the Midwest. Before snow is on the ground, the team runs hill-bounds, and rollerskis.
Step in!
Alpine
Ready to take your skiing to the next level? The University of Wisconsin Hoofer Alpine Team is your answer! Prepare for the season with dryland practices in the fall, then take to the slopes for weekly practices and weekend races as you and your teammates take on competitors throughout the United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association.
Get Set
Freestyle
Love bombin’ rollers into deep, nasty money booters? Get more corked than a southern french vineyard with the Wisconsin Hoofers Freestyle team. Dip that shoulder for a sassier rodeo than the Riding club, and ditch your fear of ever getting pitted by icy knuckles again.
Drop In!
Youth Programs
Sailing
The Hoofer Youth Program offers quality on-the-water instruction with courses in sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking to youth ages 10-18 and range from beginner to advanced.
Set sail!
Riding
Hoofer Riding club hosts multiple seven week-long summer camps for youth students to learn how to care for and ride horses, along with an awesome mix of barn games!
Let's Ride!
Hoofin it
Become a Hoofer!
Surround yourself with people who are as passionate about the outdoors as you!
You never know what you’ll learn, who you’ll meet or where you’ll go. It just might
take you around the world like former Hoofer Sailing Club Commodore, Pam Wall.
Presidents
Bobby Stemper
Ski and Snowboard President French fries when he should pizza....
Darren Krause
Scuba President Up until coming to UW-Madison, I grew up in...
Stephanie Hoker
Riding President Hey Hoofers! My name is Steph Hoker and I...
Erik Shepard
Mountaineering President I hail from Viola, Wisconsin where I grew up...
Zoe Delain
Outing President...
Kyle Harris-Smith
Sailing President I was born and raised in Madison and started...
Visit Us!
Stop by the Outdoor Programs Office on the waterfront next to Memorial Union Terrace.
