They are versatile…you can stand, sit, lay out and get some sun. Stand up Paddle boards are fun!
A day on the water is a day creating memorable experiences. They are great exercise. Paddling a stand up paddle board is a great total body activity. From your head to your toes, muscles you didn’t even know you had are engaged.
Starting August 23, stand up paddle boards are available for sale at Rocktown Adventures! We have 8 Loon Fit 11’6” Paddle Boards from our rental fleet priced from $500-$600 and looking for new homes. If interested, please contact us or stop by the store in Rockford, IL and we will put you on “The List”. We will call everyone on the list when they are available to give you the option to purchase.
Don’t miss out on a good deal to add some water adventure to your summer…
Celebrate Dad this Father’s Day with a gift of adventure
If your Dad likes the outdoors, you owe it to him to shop our Rocktown Adventures Father’s Day Sale for gifts that will put some pep in his step. From trail to tavern, active or passive, we have something for every Dad to enjoy the outdoors!
Hiking: Save 25% on Oboz Hiking shoes
Backpacking: Save 25% on all Osprey Packs
Paddling: Save 25% on all NRS products (excludes Inflatable SUPs)
Camping: Save 25% on all Big Agnes products
Lifestyle: Save 25% on all apparel from prAna, Outdoor Research & Ex Officio
Savings are good while in stock supplies last, so do not delay. Discounts apply to all apparel, so take advantage of our sale and get something for yourself! Stop by, contact us, or shop online for great outdoor gifts during our Father’s Day Sale, June 12-20!
It has been a long road, but we have finally reached our destination!
Rocktown Adventures is now out at Rock Cut State Park! We now operate and manage Rock Cut’s Outdoor Store, Lone Rock Café, Camp Store and Olson Lake Beach. A project that started with a meeting on Halloween 2019, when we got a couple inches of snow, has finally reached the finish line!
What does this mean for our customers?
You can expect to find the same quality of products and outdoor experiences you have come to know from our downtown store, out at Rock Cut State Park. You can also expect an increase in programs designed to give you the skills and confidence to safely engage with the outdoors. And you can expect to be treated with the same respect, courtesy and professionalism delivered with a smile (and sometimes a corny joke) that you have experienced in our store or on one of our adventures.
We are not looking to reinvent the wheel, as the previous ownership did a great job increasing recreational opportunities at the park. We are looking to build off this foundation with the goal of turning Rock Cut State Park into THE destination for outdoor recreation in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. When someone thinks of Rockford, we want to them to think outdoor adventure. Combined with the multitude of other recreational offerings, people and organizations dedicated to the outdoors that we are lucky to have, we are well on our way!
We want to hear from you!
If you have questions, comments or suggestions on how we can improve your experience at the Park, please let us know! We welcome all feedback that will help you enjoy your time at the Park. At the end of the day, it is YOUR Park – we just get the privilege of managing it for you!
We know – Safety doesn’t sell. But it will help make sure you return safely from the water. There are more boaters are on the water now, more than ever before (we can attest to the growth in kayaks). The timing of this could not be better. Right before the season, as everyone is ready to Gear Up & Head Out, please take a moment to brush up on your boat safety ABC’s to ensure a safe and memorable experience for everyone on the water.
A decent amount of this growth on the waterways is from newcomers. If you know someone new to the water, please advise them to learn the rules and regulations of the waterways they will be on and let them know to wear a PFD at all times when paddling. It is important that boaters limit unnecessary risk to other boaters, themselves, law enforcement and first responders.
A simple rule we as paddlers can follow is “Wear It.” In 2019, 79 % percent of all boating fatalities were the result of drowning, and 86% of these occurred in instances where the victim was not wearing a life jacket/PFD. The math seems pretty obvious. So, join in the movement to promote wearing a PFD on May 21, which is National Wear Your PFD To Work Day. We will have a contest on social media for this so checkout our Facebook page!
If you have any questions or want more information on safe boating, we have pamphlets at our store in Rockford. You can also give us a call or contact us –Enjoy the water, but always do so with a life jacket on – they save lives! #safeboating
As the world closed down around us, the outdoors & paddling opened up for many people
Getting outdoors has provided refuge during the storm, a chance to socialize and safely interact with others, and an opportunity for exercise. (Yes, the outdoors can replace your gym for exercise!)
One activity that we witnessed explode in popularity was kayaking. They flew out of stores last year and so far this year. This demand naturally led to other people getting interested in paddling. And who can blame them! We rarely see someone paddle for the first time and when done state “That was not fun. I am never doing that again”.
An Intro class is highly recommended but not required for heading out on a calm, protected area of a lake, provided you are with someone that is experienced. You can pick up some tips on land and have a nice paddle. But as a beginner, you do not know what you do not know about paddling, and that is where some instruction comes in. Below you can find paddling events that will help you enjoy your time on the water:
Intro to Kayaking Class
A three hour course designed for beginners that will provide you the skills to have a safe and enjoyable experience on the water. Class is on a lake, so we are not dealing with current.
Hump Day Paddles
Bi-weekly social paddles designed as an introduction to paddling on a river. No prior experience necessary, but we recommend you have at least been in a kayak before. Staff is on the water as we navigate upstream from the Prairie Street Brewhouse to the YMCA, then turn around and come back. Time on the water is about one hour. While we paddle, grill is fired up for a quick bite and beverage after we paddle next to the store. (Beverages are BYOB). Good opportunity to have your paddling skill gauged so you can join on river trips.
Safety and Rescue Class
A three hour course designed to for paddlers with some experience. Strongly recommend an Intro Class prior to taking this one. A few years paddle experience, even without any formal instruction, should also provide the foundation to take part in this class. During this course you will learn basic safety and rescue techniques such as wet exit and entry, assisted rescues, and an overview of general safety equipment. You will get wet so dress accordingly!
River Trips
Throughout the paddle season, we offer guided trips on our area rivers, along with a couple overnight kayak trips. There are varying degrees of skill required on a particular trip and we make note of that in the event copy. Most of our local guided trips are 2 hours, with a total time commitment of 3 hours when you take into consideration shuttle, unloading gear, and launching.
Moving Water Class
This three hour course is designed for the intermediate paddler and will provide the foundation for save river navigation when paddling without a guide. Learn basic river running techniques such as ferrying, eddylines, and reading obstacles, plus what to do in certain situations you could encounter.
Contact us or stop by our store in Rockford, IL if you have any questions on these events or paddling in general. Events thru June are on our calendar and more will be added. We also offer private trips and classes so if our schedule does not meet yours, we still have a way to help you Head Out.
One last thing….always wear your PFD while paddling!
Shop OUR Rocktown Adventures Mother’s Day SALE for gifts that will excite her outdoor passions
We have something for every kind of Mom. From paddlers to hikers to backyard lounging, we can help you enjoy your time outside. From May 1–9 take advantage of our Mother’s Day sale!
Hiking Mom
Save 25% on Oboz Hiking shoes. From trail to tavern, Oboz has a shoe for you.
Backpacking Mom
Save 25% on all Osprey Packs. Whether hiking in the mountains, hiking around town, or hiking your kids around, Osprey has a pack.
Paddling Mom
Save 25% on all NRS products. Paddle clothing, paddle gear, and PFDs that will keep her safe and comfortable on the water.Or you can bring her outside and take her kayaking or paddle boarding with a certificate for 2 for 1 rentals (certificate can only be purchased over the phone or in store)
Camping Mom
Save 25% on all Big Agnes products. Tents, sleeping bags, and camp furniture.
Lifestyle Mom
Save 25% on all women’s apparel from prAna, Outdoor Research, and Ex Officio. Your clothing says more about you than you think! Outfit Mom with premium apparel that shows off her outdoors persona!
Savings are good while in-stock supplies last, so do not delay! CONTACT Us, Stop by our store in Rockford, IL or shop online for great outdoor gifts for Mom during our Mother’s Day Sale, FROM May 1 – 9.
The Paddling Film Festival has appeared in 135 cities across the world since 2006
We hosted a screening at the Prairie Street Brewhouse in 2018. We are not going to gather to enjoy the very best in paddling films this year, but you can still see the 2021 Paddling Film Festival from the comfort of your own home as it is going virtual this year!
The 2021 Paddling Film Festival will be presented in 3 separate modules – Adventure, Culture & Adrenaline. Tickets are $15 and provides you with access to whichever module you pick for the 3-day duration, from the time you activate your virtual screening. Each module comprises multiple short films with a total duration between 1.5 – 2 hours total. Be inspired and entertained with stories created by avid outdoor enthusiasts such as:
Is it calling? These four films will take you to some of the most beautiful places on earth and provide you with all of the inspiration you need for your next paddling trip.
It is what brings us together! These nine films tell the stories of paddlers and all that paddling can mean to us.
Does it drive you? These five films celebrate great rivers and oceans, life-defining moments, and people who know what it really means to be alive.
All you need to do access the very best in paddling films is click here. Then select which module you want to enjoy, sit back, grab a beverage and snacks, and find some inspiration to get you ready for the upcoming paddling season! Please give us a call at 815-636-9066 or contact us if you have any questions about the 2021 #paddlingfilmfestival. Wishing everyone a fun, safe, and memory filled paddling season!
Come to sell, come to purchase, Even come to donate!
If you are reading this, you likely enjoy spending time in the outdoors and embrace the benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle. In my time at Rocktown Adventures, I have learned there are three traits shared by the overwhelming majority of outdoor enthusiasts – aside from their love (and need) for outdoor gear.
1. They are health conscious
2. They like craft beer
3. They care about the environment
It is with this third trait in mind, celebrating #EarthDay, that we are happy to announce that after a one-year hiatus we will be hosting our 2ndOutdoor Gear Yard Sale on April 24th, from 10AM–2PM.
Do you have outdoor gear taking up space in your garage or shed? Would you like to turn used gear into cash or see if you can swap your old gear for someone else’s? Are you looking to get outside more but do not want to purchase new equipment? Or maybe just want to get rid of some outdoor gear in general? If you answered yes to any of these, you will want to come to Rocktown Adventures during our 2021 Outdoor Gear Yard Sale. All are welcome!
Vendor Tables
We will have a quantity of ten 6-foot tables available for people to sell their gear. There is no fee to reserve a table, but we do ask for a donation of at least two non-perishable food items. All donated foods will benefit the Cornucopia Food Pantry, located in downtown Rockford. Tables are reserved on a first come, first serve basis. To reserve your table, please call the store at 815-636-9066 or send us a message. No commercial businesses are allowed to have a vendor table at this time. All registered vendors will be required to fill out a liability form before set up. As a thank you for coming out, all vendors will receive 25% off any regular priced apparel, camping or hiking purchases.
Outdoor Gear Donation Box
In addition to the vendor tables, we will have a donation box for outdoor gear, kind of like a hiker’s box along the Appalachian Trail. Donate any items to the box, which is open to anyone free of charge to grab what they like. Limit of two items per person claimed from the Outdoor Gear Box please.
Permissible Items to Sell
Sporting goods equipment is permitted to be on display. Camping gear, tents, backpacks, kayaks, canoes, paddling gear, used but in good condition clothes or shoes, winter sports equipment, bikes or team sports are welcomed. Guns, ammunition, and archery equipment are prohibited. Any larger items such as kayaks or bikes will be placed outside the tent behind your table.
Hours of Operation
The Yard Sale will run from 10AM-2PM. Set up will begin at 9AM. You are not required to stay for the duration of the event. Sell your gear and take off or come into the store for some new gear for yourself.
Earth Day at Rocktown
In addition to the Yard Sale, we have some specials inside the store. Oboz Shoes plants a tree for every pair sold, but for Earth Day Weekend all you need to do is simply try on a pair of Oboz hiking shoes and they will plant a tree. You walk away with a sticker commemorating your efforts to help plant a tree, which we all know is a good thing, and you get to try premium hiking shoes. All Oboz Hiking shoes will be on sale at 15% off, with select models at 30% – 50%.
In addition to treating your feet, take care of the rest of your outerwear needs this weekend with 20% off all apparel. We look forward to seeing you during our Outdoor Gear Yard Sale.
When was the last time we had two months of continuous snow on the ground?
The timing and snowfall of this winter could not have been better, as our main outlet for entertainment was the outdoors. Based on the number of skis and snowshoes we sold and rented, many people have been entertained outdoors in the meantime. Now that the snow is melting and the trails are going from a serene white, to mud, and back to a splendid green, it is time to take care of the gear that brought you so much enjoyment this winter. Read below for some ski and snowshoe maintenance tips from Rocktown Adventures to keep your winter gear ready for next season!
Cross Country Ski Maintenance Tips
Many people are using waxless skis, but that is a misnomer. The “waxless” refers to the area under your foot, your kick zone, which is comprised of a fish scale type pattern. The fish scale pattern provides the traction needed to kick from ski to ski. Skis without this pattern (or without skins) need wax applied to give them that type of grip. You still need to apply glide wax on your skis, and should even apply glide wax to your fish scales, to improve glide and keep snow from building up in your kick zone.
Now that it is time to put the skis away for the year, you want to clean the old wax off. You will need Swix Base cleaner, or a commercial product, such as Goo Gone. You will also need a scaper, fibrelene cloth and a brush.
First, scrape your skis to get rid of as much wax as possible. Reason being,you want to use as little of the base cleaner as you possibly can in order to get your skis clean – if we overload the base with a cleaning solvent, over time it can dry out your base, which will lead to future waxes not adhering to the base as well. Once done with a couple passes with the scraper, brush it out. Apply the basecleaner and clean using the Fibrelene cloth. You do not want to use a regular paper towel or cloth – fibers from these can embed into the ski base. You know the wax is gone by rubbing your ringers over the base and not feeling any material or changes in consistency of the base. If you have skins, apply a skin cleaner over your skins to remove any debris.
The final step does have its benefits, but is more for the serious skier doing races and such. That said, take care of your gear with proper maintenance and it will take care of you. After the base is clean, put a warm temp wax such as Swix 10 on your skis and do not scrape it off. This keeps dust and debris from adhering to your base. You can skip this step if you do not have the wax and an iron. We can do a complete ski clean/wax for storage for $15. Once done, put your skis away in a safe place and get ready for the first snow next year!
Snowshoe Maintenance Tips
Essentially, modern snowshoes can just be stored for the season. But you want to make sure you are ready to go when the first snow hits next year, so while we are in this tweener season, now is a good time to do some minor showshoe maintenance and check for wear and tear. Last thing you want is to grab them on the first snowfall, and learn you have a cracked buckle or something like that. Here are a few things you can do to maintain your snowshoes and ensure they are in working condition when the inspiration hits to Head Out!
First, spray them with a hose to get rid of any debris such as mud or salt. After this, make sure you dry them to prevent the metal from corroding or rusting. Once they are clean, inspect each snowshoe to ensure all buckles and straps are intact and functioning – now is the time to replace any of this. Also, check your crampons for any bending or dulled teeth. With the conditions we have around here, it is unlikely any damage occurred..but maybe you walked on concrete or dropped them a few times – it always helps to check and make sure. The last thing is to put them away for the year. While snowshoes are durable, you do not want to just toss them in the corner. Hang them up high or put them in a bag to protect them.
Please CONTACT US or stop by our Rockford, IL location if you have any additional questions on Ski and snowshoe maintenance. With all the snow we had this season, we cannot wait for the first outing next winter!
Four rivers, the largest state park in Northern IL, forest preserves galore, along with great stewards of these areas…
We are the envy of many areas with the abundance of outdoor recreation assets and organizations committed to the outdoors we have. However, it is also nice to take the adventure on the road, on an overnight trip to discover new places, meet new people, and be inspired to take on new challenges.
Towards that end, Rocktown Adventures has some overnight trips on the docket for 2021. A lot of these are on weekdays so we can avoid large crowds. See below for a list of where we are going and when can be found – click a link for registration and more information. For all questions, please give us a call at (815) 636-9066, stop by the store in Rockford, IL or send us a message.
There will be a pre-trip meeting at the store or via Facebook Live a couple weeks before each adventure. We do have limited capacity on some of our overnight trips due to permit restrictions, such as the Porcupine Mountains Backpacking Experience, so do not delay if any of these adventures appeal to you! If you are coming along for an adventure, come hungry – We make meals one of the best parts of our trips! No dehydrated meals here, although they certainly do have their place.
We look forward to seeing you on the water or trail in 2021!
