Be a Hero This Father’s Day: Gift Ideas Dad Will Love

We’re really good at figuring out what guys want, and it’s rarely a new tie. Here’s a few ideas for playful, outdoorsy, adventurous and on-the-go dads to inspire you. Be a hero this Father’s Day. Come home with a gift he’ll love from Wausau’s favorite Outdoor Store, where discounts in every department will make you wish you were a dad! Good stuff starts at only $10.

Is dad always up for a game of catch, running with the dog, or a round of disc golf? If he’s the type who loves to get out and have a good time, he might fit into this category.

Playful dads will love these fun gifts:

Relaxed, comfortable clothing by Duer Jeans, Kavu, TNF, Kuhl, Patagonia, Quiksilver
Casual kick-around sneakers from Olukai. He can just slide into these.
Disc Golf gear, indoor-outdoor Pocket Disc or Footbag
Spirit Accessories like fun flasks or even Pocket Cocktails for on-the-go celebrating

Outdoorsy dads want dependable, durable, helpful stuff

If dad stays out from dawn till dusk enjoying all that nature has to offer, he’s probably the outdoorsy type. Maybe he packs a bag and hikes, takes the kayak out, pedals the local bike trails. He just loves to be out and breathe in that fresh air.

Gift ideas include:

Performance apparel from Kuhl, Kavu, Patagonia or The North Face
Stable, supportive, water-friendly footwear from Teva or Salomon
A Pack to hold his gear from Osprey, Patagonia, The North Face
A handy Slingshot, flint or rescue bracelet
Hydroflask Waterbottle
Adjustable hiking poles
A headlamp
Comfy Smartwool Socks (buy 3 get 1 free!)

Adrenaline Junky dads will get a thrill with these gifts

Is faster & more dangerous the way dad lets off steam? If he lives on the edge, you see it all over his face: he craves adventure. Feed his craving with some cool toys on Father’s Day.

Gift ideas include:

A bike. Yep, he probably wants new one. (Plus you get a Free Tune Up, Free Check-up and 20% off bike accessories to make it an awesome gift!)
A wakeboard, waterskis, wake surf, or wake skate from Hyperlite or HO
An HO neoprene vest or Accurate rope for behind the boat
Sun Bum sun protection (he’s going to need it)
Ski or Snowboard gear. Our remaining winter 2018 gear is 40-50% off retail price!

On the go dads need useful, durable travel gear

He travels. Maybe it’s for work, maybe its for play. Either way, he needs tools to keep him organized and endure the trials and tests that all travelers encounter. Durable bags, helpful tools. He’ll think of you whenever he’s on the road or trail.

Gift ideas include:

Duffle bags and luggage from Patagonia, The North Face, Dakine
Waterproof stuff sacks and phone cases from Outdoor Research and Croakies

Dad loved the handprint picture frames you gave him as a child (it’s probably sitting on his desk), but he’ll love quality gifts tailored to the things he loves to do. Well done you!

Not on the water yet? You should be!

As the lakes and rivers in our area continue to warm up with the great summer weather we’ve been having, you might find yourself dusting off your summer watersports gear for another fun season. Today, I thought I’d share a few quick tips for prepping your equipment to ensure a great, hassle-free summer on the water. Also, since we have so much amazing new gear here in our store, I figured I would give you all the details should you find yourself with skis or tubes or ropes that have seen one too many summers.

Before using waterskis, wakeboards, ropes, tubes, or any other watersport equipment, it’s important to clean and inspect them. Bindings and boots should be checked to make sure the screws and bolts holding them to the ski or board are fastened securely, and the boards themselves should have no damage or cracks. When checking the boots, also make sure the rubber, velcro, and lacing systems are in proper working order. As boots age, they become more susceptible to rips and tears. And remember: what was in good working order when you stored them the pervious season might not always fare well through the dry winter storage months, so taking the few minutes to double check your equipment always a safe bet. Lastly, ropes, when either at the end of their life, or not stored properly, can become brittle and break under the high loads placed on them when towing skiers, boarders, or tubes. A visual inspection of your rope is usually enough to reveal any fraying or dry rot that could result in a quick end to a day on the boat.

Hopefully your watersports gear is still in great working order and you can get out on the water soon! If it has seen better days though, or it’s time for an upgrade, Shep’s is the place to come. We stock a full range of waterskis, wakeboards, wakeskates, wakesurfs, tubes, and kneeboards from HO Sports and Hyperlite, as well as all the accessories you could ever need (from life jackets to ropes to repair parts). And thanks to our great HO / Hyperlite rep Rick Skinner, our already experienced, highly-trained staff just received a special two hour training covering all the new gear and latest technologies on all things watersports. Can we help with any questions you might have? You bet we can!

Wake board packages from Hyperlite starting as low as $299.00!

Ski combos from HO priced to move at $179.99!

With sizes in stock able to fit infants to the Incredible Hulk (almost), we’ve got the life jacket you need to look cool and stay safe. Prices start at $39.99.

With specific ropes for waterskiing, wakeboarding, and tubing in stock, and prices as low as $15.99, it’s time to stop using that same old rope for everything. You’ll get better performance and be safer in the process!

Need a tube? We’ve got ’em! From our $79.99 HO Sports Hornet to the four person Extreme XL, we’ve got loads of great choices to fit your budget and family size!

One last thing: now that you have that great new gear, you need to care for it. Our post from earlier this year will tell you everything you need to know!

Hey Mom! Let’s Go Outside and Play!

Mom probably likes flowers, perfume and candy. But you know the gift she really wants this Mother’s Day is time with you. Remember when she taught you how to love playing outside? This year, return the favor. The Wausau, WI area is flush with great outdoor spots to enjoy. See what mom needs to make her outdoor adventures complete (we can help if you need ideas ) and cap off a great gift with time together doing something you both love.

Gift ideas (with each photo) and a list of nearby campgrounds, boat launches, hiking and bike trails, disc golf courses and tennis courts is just a click away. But click quick, then get outside! Happy Mother’s Day mom, from all of us at Shepherd & Schaller 🙂

Summer Fun Checklist

What are your plans for the 4th of July? Ready to enjoy a day of grilling out, playing on the beach, hitting the water and get up on those waterskis? If you’re celebrating in any of these ways, take note. Below is a gear checklist and a little eye candy. Shep’s has everything on the list. (The only other stop you’ll have to make? Grocery store for hot dogs!)

If you’re spending any time outside, you’ll definitely need these things:
Sunscreens (Banana scented….. 🙂 )
Sunglasses (Oakley, Native, Chili’s)
Bug Spray
CamelBak bottle

Packing a Picnic?
Toys; foam guns, hacky sacks, paddle ball
Frisbees & Discs
Sun Dress & Accessories (PrAna & Patagonia have looks you’ll love.)
Button Ups & Shorts (Guys- same thing for you!)
Flip Flops (Ever worn Teva’s? Now’s the time.)
Bag from Sherpani

Going Boating?
Tube (One rider or four? That’ll help you choose the tube!)
Wakeboard/Waterski/Kneeboard/Wake Surf/Wakeskate (Hyperlite & H.O. take the cake)
Ropes
Vest (Nylon or Neoprene available for the family)
Towel
Swim Suit (Kids, men’s & women’s suits in stock)

Hitting the Beach?
Swim Suit (Choose your cut & your pattern from Patagonia or PrAna!)
Sun Hat
Sunglasses (patterned, sporty, and everything in-between.)
Towel
Sunscreen & Aloe (Did we mention how great SunBum smells??)

Love to Hike?
Backpacks (from The North Face, Burton, Dakine)
Salomon Trail Shoes
Smartwool Socks (they’re a necessity.)
CamelBak bottles
Bug Spray (yes, more!)
Headlamp

This is just a summary. You’ll find accessories and extras that will help make your summer outings the very best they can be. Stop in at Shep’s and let our experts set you up with the gear you need.

What’s SUP?

SUPs – Getting Started

What It Is

Maybe you’ve been hearing about SUPs, (Stand Up Paddle Boards)… they’re gaining popularity quickly. There are a number of reasons for the widespread interest, one main one being versatility in the sport. Kids, parents, athletes and relaxed beach-goers alike find a good time atop a SUP.

Whether your trip out paddling is a time for relaxing, full of adventure, or a great workout depends on where you go and what you’re setting out for. You control your experience (well, unless you’re on raging waters). You put into it what you want, and sometimes a smooth, relaxing venture is just what you need other times it’s all about trying something new, like Yoga on your SUP. Where can you take your SUP out in Central Wisconsin? Anywhere there’s water! (public access allowed of course.) Try Lake Wausau on the Wisconsin River, the Rib River or even Manmade Lake at Sunnyvale Park in Wausau, or one of hundreds of lakes nearby.

What You Need

Get this: you need a SUP and a paddle! Besides that, we suggest playing it safe and always wearing a PFD. We also know the benefits to wearing the right clothing, so we like to recommend swimwear (for days on the water when you’re participating in all sorts of water activities), wet suits when the air or water is cold, or fast drying, wicking performance wear to keep you cool and dry. Sun protection is a biggie too.

After gathering those things, all you need is to get going!

How You Do It

Carry the SUP under your arm or on top of your head and make your way to the water. Starting in shallow water makes stepping onto the board a breeze, but starting kneeling or by sitting then standing works too.

Look for the balance point, and plant your feet there. You don’t want the tail underwater, and you don’t want the nose up in the air. You’ll find a spot that allows your board to stay level.

Your feet should be about shoulder width apart, centered on the board. Be conscious about keeping your knees soft and back straight and use your hips to keep you centered. Tipping your head or shoulders dramatically will throw you off balance! Ground yourself with your hips.

Hold your adjusted paddle on one side, with your right hand on top when the paddle is on your left side, and vice versa. Be sure the blade of the paddle is all the way under water, and twist with your core to push the paddle back. Keep your strokes small until you’re comfortable. Repeat. And repeat. Change sides after every few strokes to keep yourself heading straight ahead. (You just learned the side stroke.)

You can backpaddle to turn your board, by paddling from the tail of the board to the tip. Stepping back on the board or leaning to the inside of the board will help your board pivot more, making your turn easier and faster.

These are the basics. After you get a hold of these techniques, you’ll have a feel for the board and can manage more water conditions.

What Shep’s Offers

We’ve done our part to have all that you need to get into the sport. We have two boards to choose from, adjustable paddles, life vests, apparel, and yes, even sun screen and sun glasses!