You know how Shep’s package pricing works from winter: when you buy more than one piece of the whole, you earn a deeper discount. We offer these same package prices on wake boards in the summer. Buy more to save more! We’ve gone ahead and set up some awesome combinations for you to get you up and loving it!
Check out the previews below & stop in to talk to one of our water sports experts. They’ll help you choose the gear that’s best for you.
Did you come here for inspiration? A small gift or a big one? You know we’ve got Wausau’s largest selection of ski and snowboard gear, bikes, tennis, camping and waterspouts. But we’ve got other great gifts that wrap up in small packages and require only small budgets too:
Man-Cans Ahhh, the scent of Bacon. Or Grandpa’s Pipe, a Leather Mitt, Fresh Cut Grass, Sawdust, Fresh Brewed Coffee, Campfire, Gunpowder or Hot Chocolate (to name a few.) There’s nothing girly about scents that do more than just smell good.
Man-Cans are made inside a real soup can. The can is donated to a soup kitchen and when it’s been cleaned and returned, the label is removed and the can is filled with manly scented natural wax. When you buy a Man-Can you’re helping feed people who need a little extra help. All thanks to a 13-year-old with a unique idea. And dad likes good smells as much as mom. $11.50
Does dad like to hang out on the patio, do a little camping, hide in his man cave? Help him spruce up his favorite place with kitch-y cool knick-knacks from Outside Inside. Seriously neat bird feeders, games, and other fun stuff. $20-35 range.
Kuhl Clothes Does Dad like to look cool? Or is it Hot? Or even sick? Whatever, he will look and feel good in duds from Kühl®, where the passion remains to get outdoors and have fun. Kühl® is what it means to be comfortable and relaxed in the challenging environment of life and sport. For Kühl®, this dedication to original thinking translates into excellence in design and exceptional construction because they use not only innovative style and features, but exclusive fabrics with unique weaves and vintage washes that create authentic character. Articulated, gusseted, precise designs as well as the utmost craftsmanship provide a fit that is pure comfort. Wearing Kühl® not only represents the freedom of movement but also free will. Dad will love their long and short-sleeved shirts, fleece and wool sweaters and great outerwear in addition to their well known pants. Every man looks good in Kuhl. Starting at $45.
Does dad have a lot to juggle? How about a great day pack, with a lifetime warranty to boot. Dozens by The North Face, Patagonia, Dakine and Burton are in stock. Starting at $45
How about a round of Disc Golf? This is a sport everyone can love. There are usually no greens fees, you can dress down, and most courses have no pro shop, no marshal, no tee times, and feel much more like what they are: a public park where people can come, go, and do as they please. Of course ‘golf etiquette’ is practiced just like ball golf, which makes for a pleasant outing for everyone involved. Pick up a disc and give it a spin and you’re on your way. Shepherd & Schaller stocks hundred’s of Innova and Discraft golf discs each spring. Starting at $8.99
Sock it to him. Smartwool socks are a gift he’ll really love. At the heart of these great socks is the highest quality merino yarn available from sheep raised in the most amazing places on earth. Skillfully woven in the American Southeast, the world’s best performance socks are Made in the USA. Dad will like that too. Read more here and fall in love with Smartwool even more. Starting at $14.95. (By 3 Get 1 Free June 1-15, 2014)
Got a little healthier budget?Recreational Kayaking. If you have access to a local lake, stream or river and can sit and move your arms, you can kayak. Sport kayaking is a relaxing way to spend a day outside. The crew at Shep’s can help you decide what kind of boat is right for your goals and the water you expect to be on, and can recommend a PFD (personal flotation device otherwise known as a life jacket) that is specifically designed for paddling. Don’t forget the paddle – or dad will be up a creek in no time! Recreational boats from Perception are incredibly stable, so rolling is not usually an issue. Many models are designed for fishing, so dad wins again. Boats begin at $399. And be a sport. Get him some Sun Bum Pro sunscreen too. Starting at $3.99
Visit us in Downtown Wausau, Wisconsin or online at www.shepssports.com to shop for Bike, Camping, Tennis, Water Ski and Snow Sports departments too, along with a great selection of clothes from Patagonia, The North Face, Kavu, Smartwool and lots more. Dad’s worth it.
Mosquito season is upon us, and this year, they’re really making themselves known. According to the Wausau Daily Herald, West Nile virus has been confirmed in our area.
This doesn’t mean you need to lock up the house and stay inside until October. You may be one who works outside, one who loves to hang at the beach, a hiker, a mountain biker, a kayaker or even a soccer league spectator or gardener. Thankfully, protecting ourselves against mosquitos & their illnesses is not that difficult.
We just restocked our shelves with some of the very best insect repellent around. Repel Sportsman & Sportsman Max boasts 20%-40% deet, which should keep us recreational outdoors-people plenty safe from mosquitos, ticks, gnats, biting flies, chiggers & fleas. If you’re swarmed constantly, spending time in the deep woods or swampy areas, you might want to consider Ben’s 100, which contains 98.11% deet. Spray it on & you’ll be protected for up to 10 hours. A third insect repellent option that might interest you contains Permethrin and is for your clothing & gear, not your skin. One application to your clothing, shoes, packs, etc., will keep you protected for two weeks. (Plus, it’s unscented!)
Preparing for the outdoors can be quick and easy. Take a few minutes, be wise, and protect yourself from the risks (think sunscreen & bug spray) so you can get out and stay out! Happy summer!
Yes! School is finally out!
Wait. Now what?
We all know the feeling. So much excitement goes into the last weeks of school; countdowns are on and everyone is ready for summer vacation. But what happens three days later isn’t quite as exciting. “I’m bored.” Or worse yet: they’re not bored because they sleep until 2, grab the Cheetos and hang out in front of the TV for the day.
Summer vacation can be fun, but it takes some planning on your part as the parents, babysitters, or older siblings. We’ve put together some ideas on how to keep the kids moving, enjoy the warm weather, prevent the summer boredom, and enjoy all that Wausau has to offer. Check out these recommendations:
Wausau City Playgrounds: Wausau offers a morning playground program for children going into K-5th grade. This supervised time includes crafts, games, playground time & other organized activities. See their FLIER and register your children for the 8 week program!
If your children prefer water over wood chips, they may be interested in Wausau’s pools or even swim lessons. It’s only $1 to swim during open swim times (1-7:30pm), or you can decide to get an individual or family memberships for the summer. City pools offer swim lessons too, starting at 18 months. You can look at available lesson times & register HERE.
Soccer players in the house would love to be a part of Challenger’s British Soccer instructional soccer camp. These week long camps take place at Brockmeyer Park and are lead by coaches that have been recruited from Great Britian. Details are HERE.
Sport lovers might also like to enroll in tennis lessons at Oak Island Park courts. Depending on age, they’ll have either one or three hour lessons which allow time for instruction, practice, and game playing. You’ll sign your children up by experience level, so their lesson will be tailored to their ability. Get more information HERE, then sign them up!
Kids & teens out of school for the summer might also be interested in the Oak Island Skateboard Park, beaches, and city parks throughout the area (a complete list can be made by clicking HERE and HERE). What about yard games, disc golf, frisbee, or water toys?
As with any outdoor activity, safety is going to be key. Consider sun safety (sunscreen, sunglasses & sun hats) and bike safety (helmets, lights & awareness of road rules) especially.
The City Pages’ Summer Fun book will include all the special events & local happenings going on this summer. Everyone should pick up a copy and have it on hand; it’d be a shame to miss out on all the restaurants, shows, concerts, and events Wausau has to offer.
We have nearly everything you’d need to enjoy the above summer activities, including swimsuits for swim lessons or looking your best at the beach, caps, goggles, and accessories; tennis racquets, shoes, and apparel; and toys and accessories to keep everyone busy on summer days. A stop in at Shep’s will have you inspired and equipped to make the most of the summer months before us and help you be sure you’re playing well.
Skiers, don’t be sad!
Sure, winter is over, but bike season has begun and it’s an awesome way to take your mind off the snow. If you’re a skier, it’s likely that your second biggest sport or interest is biking. (It’s all about the leg work outs!) There are many forms of biking, so the options or almost endless.
When the snow melts and the warmer weather starts to creep up, I start to commute to work by bike. Once the local trails are dry and opened, it’s time to hit the single track. Nine MIle Recreation Area, located just outside Wausau (at 24 Red Bud Road), is a well-known cross country ski destination in the winter, but by summer it’s a single track heaven.
New to the term “single track”? Single track is defined as a narrow bike track about as wide as the bike itself. The track is sometimes smooth and flowing, but you may encounter rocks, stumps, and double crosses around trees and other obstacles, too, making it fun as well as challenging. At Nine Mile, there are ratings on the tracks, similar to the ratings on ski runs. Green circle indicates easy, Blue square indicates intermediate, and of course, the black diamond is for experts. An awesome web site and phone app you can use to find local single tracks is simply called Single Tracks, online at Singletracks.com.
If you already mountain bike in the summer and love single track, why not give racing a try? During the summer, there are many single track races that are part of the WORS series. This “Wisconsin Off Road Series” is an awesome way to compete, have some fun, and meet new bikers and friends to ride with.
If you’re not interested in the rough terrain of mountain biking, you have another option! Summer road biking is awesome too. It’s a great way to travel a distance in one day and see some scenery. You can make road biking whatever you choose, whether you’re up for a cardio busting speed drill or a casual family stroll on a weekend afternoon, you can tailor your ride to your desire. Getting out and pedaling the back roads will give you a sunnier disposition, a workout, and some fresh air.
Whether you’re going to bike the trails or the roads, it’s crucial to get into the shop and be sure your bike is a good size for you & is tuned and passes all the safety checks. If you end up with a problem mid-ride, it will take away from your fun. And after all, “fun” is what it should be about… just like in skiing!
Post written by our ski & bike loving Brian Trybula. Come chat with him about anything “outdoor”!
