Paddle Sports | Outdoors Starts In Here

First Thursdays at Shep’s: Dog Days of Summer

For August, First Thursdays is celebrating that the “Dog Days of Summer” are upon us, and we couldn’t agree more! We’re thrilled to be spending time on our kayaks, waterskis & bikes because it’s hot and we’re happy! How have you been enjoying the heat?

This Thursday, Shep’s is once again giving you $10 Shep’s Bucks for every $50 you spend, PLUS offering 25% off all spring & summer apparel, shoes, and accessories! With that duo, you really can’t go wrong. Our friends and neighbors throughout downtown are offering their own great specials, and we’re all working with the Humane Society of Marathon County to raise awareness of their pups & hopefully connect some with new homes!

Join us downtown for live music, one-night-only specials & sales, and more from 5pm-8pm this Thursday, August 6th!

Fun things to try on the 4th!

The 4th of July is almost upon us, and with that comes planning to make the most out of summer’s favorite holiday weekend. But if you’re like many struggling to make old traditions fun year after year, why not give some new activities a try? There’s tons to do outdoors in the summer in Wisconsin, and Shep’s has all the latest gear to get you on your way to a new favorite outdoor activity. Here’s a few suggestions:

1. Disc Golf: There are disc golf courses popping up all around Wisconsin, and with the start-up cost so low, people of all ages are heading out to throw some discs. Shep’s carries hundreds of discs from Discraft, Innova, and Disc Mania along with bags and other accessories to get new players started and seasoned players restocked.

You can find a local course here –> https://www.discgolfscene.com/courses/Wisconsin

2. Biking: With hundreds of miles of city, country, or forest trails available for biking, Wisconsin is one of the best places to get out on two wheels. And with bikes for people of all ages and abilities, Shep’s is your biking headquarters. Comfort, fitness, or mountain bikes – we have it all, and we have all the accessories available too. Already have a bike? Our skilled mechanic is here to get your bike running smoothly and safely in time for the 4th of July weekend!

Interested in finding a new trail? Start here –> http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/activities/bike.html

3. Water Sports: Living in Wisconsin and being on the water go hand in hand, and even if you’re a seasoned water goer, chances are there’s a new activity you’ve yet to try on our beautiful waterways. Love to kayak? Why not give stand up paddleboaring a try? Are you a local pro on a slalom ski? Wake boarding, wake surfing, and more will give you an awesome new skill to master. Or if you’re simply heading to the beach for a quick dip, Shep’s has a great line of men’s and women’s swimwear from Prana, Patagonia, Roxy, Quiksilver, United By Blue, Kavu, and more! Lastly, don’t forget your Sun Bum sunscreen before you hit the water!

Don’t forget to look and feel great this holiday weekend wearing great new apparel for men and women from Patagonia, North Face, United By Blue, Krimson Klover, Prana, Kavu, Toad & Co, and so many more!

Here’s to You, Dad.

Thanks dad, for everything you do for us. Thanks for the memories, for the adventures, for teaching us the little things like how to ride a bike and the big things like how to treat other people. We’re who we are today partially because of you and we want you to know we love you.

Our fathers and father figures deserve a little extra love this Father’s Day and we know just the spot to shop. You’ll find discounts on bikes, water sports, hiking essentials, clothes, shoes, winter toys, and cool accessories he’ll love. Show him how much you appreciate him. (And treat yourself too, while you’re at it!)

If you need a little inspiration, check out the ideas for dad we posted last year. Or use visit us in downtown Wausau where we’re ready to help.

Happy Father’s Day!

Save the Hassle & Get a Yakima Rack

Yakima 3 — Photo: instagram.com/yakimaracks

We’ve probably all tried to cram a bike into the too-small trunk, always to realize it’s not worth the scratches, grease, and parts moved out of alignment. Maybe the snow covered skis that begin to drip all over the moment you crank the heat is more familiar to you? If you’re feeling us, this is where Yakima comes in.

Yakima makes racks for a variety of needs with a variety of prices. If you need to carry your bike, you can choose to carry it on top of your car or on a hitch mount. Need a cargo box up top? Sure thing, how much space do you need? Want to carry kayaks or skis? Yakima racks can do it all.

Here’s how car-top Yakima systems work:

Yakima2 — Photo: instagram.com/yakimaracks

1- Start with the parts you need to create the rack system on the top of your car. Depending on the make/model/year of your car, and what it may or may not come with from the factory, we’ll select the specific clips & bars you need. This part stays on your car and acts as the “base” to build off of.

2- Once you have your base, you can choose which systems you want to add, depending on what you want to carry. Onto your bars, you can attach the kayak carriers, bike carriers, cargo boxes, etc. These parts can be easily taken on and off, so you can customize your rack for the weekend ahead.

Come chat with our staff about your car & carrying needs and we’ll help you out. And, if you act soon, you can take advantage of an offer from Yakima and get a $20 rebate for purchases over $300.

You taught us well, Mom

We’re a first class outdoor specialty store, not a greeting card shop. But, we know a good poem when we read one. And we’re all about value, so we like a good sale. You taught us well, Mom.

How did you find the energy, Mom
To do all the things you did,
To be teacher, nurse and counselor
To me, when I was a kid...

How did you do it all, Mom,
Be a chauffeur, cook and friend,
Yet find time to be a playmate,
I just can’t comprehend.
I see now it was love, Mom
That made you come whenever I’d call,
Your inexhaustible love, Mom
And I thank you for it all.

Life is great in Wausau, Wisconsin for lucky kids whose mom’s teach them how to ski, camp, paddle, do yoga, ice skate, waterski, bike, roller skate, play tennis, sing, read, cook, plant, paint, care for the environment and care for others. We personally thank Dorothy, Carol, and all of our moms for all they do for us, and all they have taught us. Happy Mother’s Day!

What gift will you choose for her? To start, select from our huge inventory of dresses, yoga gear, sportswear, sandals, trail shoes, handbags and more of what you love from these well loved brands. Of course we have awesome bikes, day packs, water skis, tennis and winter sports gear she loves too. Love ya mom!