My lesson with Daren of Silent Wake was fantastic! My lesson was scheduled for two hours but we went well over that. Daren explained all the aspects of safe kayaking including ample practice time on the water and even in the water. That way, I could learn to trust my PFD and practice getting back into my kayak. I'm already looking forward to my next lesson.

It was awesome! Darren had everything ready and he did all the hauling on both ends. We offered to help but he did it all! Both Darren and Kristen had great knowledge of the river and were up for any additions or changes to our trip. We never felt rushed. It was just a great day.
Also great communication before and after. Even sent pictures from the day.
I will definitely paddle with them again!

I took Daren & Kristin’s YMCA 4-session course and my comfort level and skills grew exponentially! I started the course having only sit-on-top kayak experience, but by the end I was comfortable edging, performing wet exits, and self/2boat rescues in their touring kayaks. I highly recommend these skilled, engaging, and patient educators. I’ll be back for future course and outing offerings.

Yesterday, May 11, I took part in the early season rescue course at Pike Lake. It was another terrific experience! Really great to practice the self rescues I learned back in February in a lake. Daren and Kristin are fantastic instructors and I love how they tailor the course to what the participants are hoping to master.

I’m going to be doing some of the tours they offer this summer and no doubt will continue to learn more. I’m feeling much more confident about a trip to Isle Royale later this summer thanks to all their advice.

My husband and I did the kickstart your kayak lesson with Daren at Random Lake this week and it was great. It was the best money I spent in a long time. We both had a great time. Daren is a great instructor. Looks for the positive in all and provides excellent feed back. It was a lot of information but it was good to hear. We hope to do more trips with them in the near future

We had a wonderful experience with Daren/ Silent Wake Kayaking!! Instructions and information on paddling techniques was very thorough and easy to understand/follow. We all came back feeling a lot more comfortable in our kayaks!! Can’t wait for my next kayak trip!! Thank you Silent Wake!! Two thumbs up in my book (or should I say in my boat? 😄!)

I went on a Milwaukee River paddle with Silent Wake this last weekend and had a wonderful time. I had ordered the wrong size kayak and Daren was quick to accommodate MY mistake. The equipment was top notch and it was clear both Daren and Kristin knew the river well. Great company and great trip. They even had an eagle fly by right on cue! I’ll definitely go out with them again!

Silent Wake is great. They are very friendly and take care of everything. Second outing with them and I plan to use them again.

This was a great beginners course for anyone new to kayaking or in need of a refresher. Darren and Kristin are very knowledgable and kind. They cover a lot of important information before you even get on the water. They provided a great take-home packet of info on rules, regulations, a detailed map showing places to kayak, recommended websites and apps, and more in addition to all of the on the water training. I'm looking forward to trying their intermediate class in the future!

As a “newbie” kayak-er, I was very impressed with the important and detailed kayak instruction information given in an hour of time!! Since I had a sprained wrist, I was not able to continue with the “hands-on” kayaking on the river instructions. Next time for sure!!