here - Clear Water Outdoor

2010
HOLIDAY GREETINGS
744 West Main Street
Lake Geneva, Wi 53120
262.348.2420
info@clearwateroutdoor.com
www.clearwateroutdoor.com
[BY SARAH SCHUSTER]
[OUR NAME]
The origin of the Clear Water Outdoor
name is rooted from the Potowatomi
Indians. Their name for Geneva Lake
was “Kishwauketoe,” which means
“clear water.”
[MISSION STATEMENT]
PURCHASE ANY MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR ITEM OVER $50 AND
RECEIVE A
FREE HAT
At Clear Water Outdoor, we believe
that promoting an active outdoor
lifestyle can change the world. It
is through our relationship with
nature that we appreciate our
existence on an infinite planet. We
seek to encourage and enhance
one’s life outdoors at any age, and
in any season.
We believe in quality products
designed specifically to give the
best performance, comfort, and style.
We believe in thinking globally and
acting locally. We support national
charities and our local community
to promote active lifestyles and
encourage environmental kindness.
We support fair trade, fair labor,
and sustainable manufacturing.
We believe our lives and actions
influence everything around us like
a drop of water affects the whole.
We believe retail can be a powerful
instrument of change.
LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE.
save
10%
save 10% off your next purchase when you say
“ho-Ho-Ho” (like santa) to any Clear water Employee
Or use promo Code, “HOHOHO” upon checkout at
www.clearwateroutdoor.com (in-stock items only. Expires 12-22-2010)
[SUSTAINABLE
BUSINESS]
We have made the
commitment to protect
the beauty and vitality of
Wisconsin’s scenic and natural
resources. Certified October 2010.
Hello! It has been a while since
we have done a newsletter or
mailing, and I am so excited to have
this chance to give THANKS to all
of you who have supported Clear
Water Outdoor over the last 6 years.
We have strived to create both a
great shopping experience and a
place where people can connect and
get to know the outdoor community
here in Lake Geneva, and Southeast
Wisconsin. Thank You for being a
part of our journey!
Life has been full of everyday
adventures and a few distant ones,
too. Our family loves a good road
trip and this year we had three
nice ones (see Dave’s story pg on page 2).
These special moments would not
be possible if it were not for our
amazing staff at CWO. We are so
proud to have a dedicated, and
caring staff who are here to bring
out the best in you and your outdoor
lifestyle. I give thanks everyday for
the family we have here together
and invite you to join us this Holiday
and in the New Year. We are excited
to meet more and more individuals
who love the outdoors as much as
we all do! Check out our website if
you want to learn more ‘about us’,
www.clearwateroutdoor.com.
Let us help you in making
decisions on gifts or personal
needs for your winter journeys.
‘Function and Fashion’ is our buying
motto, and the team at Clear Water
Outdoor takes great pride in the
selection of goods that we carry.
We hope that you too will share in
our enthusiasm for great looking,
cool & funky, yet classic clothing,
footwear and accessories. As is the
storytelling tradition around many
campfires, our strength lies in the
groupings of our stories by activity,
color, fabric, brand, and environmental
picture. I am sure we can fit your
adventures in life to one of our
stories. We continue to bring you
the best selection from the outdoor
industry with innovative fabrics
and styles from top vendors like
Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear,
Marmot, Prana, Outdoor Research,
Horny Toad, Ibex, Salomon, and
many more! Not to mention the hard
goods department of snowshoes,
x-country skiing, paddling (kayak
and stand up paddling), climbing,
and backpacking.
Speaking of our vendors, we
cannot thank them enough for
helping with donations to our biggest
and favorite event, the Turkey Trot
5K/10K trail run, a fundraiser for the
Friends of Big Foot Beach State Park
(a 501c3 non profit we helped start). With
just over 570 participants this year,
we were able to raise over $6,000
for our Friends. Many projects (Eagle
Scout and Badger High School) have been
completed this year, so remember
to visit the park when thinking of
your next local adventure… be it
hiking, biking, paddling, or just
strolling in the woods & sitting at
the playground with your family.
Give thanks to your community for
helping make the park even more
enjoyable. Yes! We need your help,
join the friends as a member and
volunteer at www.friendsofbfbsp.org.
We aim to keep you comfortable,
active, and excited to play outside.
Join us this holiday for hot cider,
cookies, movies & coloring contests
(for the kids while you shop), and awesome
new products. ‘Tis the season for
spending time on what matters in
life… family, community and health!
Peace and happiness to you this
Holiday season!
2010
An Adventurous Year
[UPCOMING EVENTS]
Meet & Ski at Kettle Moraine
We are meeting at the warming hut at the Nordic
Cross-Country Ski Trail at 9:30am on the first and
third Sundays of the month. *There is no charge to
[BY DAVID SCHUSTER]
attend, and you can rent skis from Clear Water Outdoor!
Ever since The Bucket List, the day have our dance. I have always
term has taken on broad usage and wanted to run a marathon, but never
most people know what it means. I found the time to dedicate. Our
have heard people discuss their own friends, Aaron and Laura Luksich,
bucket list items and it has become a threw down an invite. Something
good conversation topic. I have been to the effect that Laura and a couple
paying attention to my adventure of her buddies were going to run a
bucket list, because I fear that I may 50k and if I did it, Aaron would sign
not be able to accomplish some as up. I thought about it and, yes, 50
kilometers is about five miles longer
my body gives way to experience.
I was able to enjoy some great than a marathon. Probably without
adventures, and some were from enough forethought, I jumped at the
my list. The adventure bucket list has opportunity and after six months
some pinnacle items and many of acceptable training I finished a
“everyday” type of adventures. supercool 50k on the Pacific Crest
Trail in southern
Early this spring,
I
had
always My list had an item Oregon. I found
wanted to surf
that I was dodging, but that I am in love
with trail running
the east coast and
may
do
was blessed with I knew we would some and
another race.
an eager family day have our dance.
The list has
and just enough
backcountry
adventures,
wave energy to get some slides. some
The stand up paddleboards proved places that I have seen on a map, or
very valuable for this adventure. I driven past and longed to gain more
would have only caught a handful firsthand experiences. One such
of waves if I had paddled prone, but place is the Mazatzal Wilderness in
the paddleboard allowed me access the middle of Arizona. I had driven
to as many waves as my arms (and past these mountains and dreamed
paddle) could pull me into. This about the adventures within, ever
was an everyday adventure, but felt since I was a youngster growing up
great to scout the scene and share in Arizona. Well, just a few weeks
ago I convinced my wife, kids, and
with my wife and kids.
My list had an item that I was my young nephew that we should
dodging, but I knew we would some take a trip down the Verde River
which runs through the Mazatzal
and is the only wild and scenic
designated river in Arizona. Only
forty miles from Phoenix, but
extremely remote. The adventure
turned out to be a fun river run
with over fifty rapids and riffles.
The family faced the challenge with
some healthy trepidation, but gained
a great deal of confidence and skill
during the days on the river. We
also brought the dog…let us just say
General was an adventure enhancer.
Get out and tackle some
adventures this year. Our adventure
club is a good place to gain some
foundational skills and fitness. Join
us paddling. I am going to join my
staff for climbing, skills needed
for me to climb some big walls in
Yosemite. Yes, sleeping on one of
those port-a-ledges, hanging from
a cliff, and a multi day climb are on
the bucket list.
P.S. Honorable 2010 bucket list
mention: backpacked Rocky Mountain
National Park, paddled Pictured
Rocks, trail running on Appalachian
Trail and Ice Age Trail, ran around
Geneva Lake’s shore path, visited
remodeled Arrowhead, kite skied to
Chuck’s, paddleboarded on White
River, golfed at Lakewood…
Snowshoeing Extravaganza
On the third Saturday of the month (Jan. 15th, Feb. 19th, March 19th), come
join the Clear Water gang for some fun snowshoeing, bright and early, at
8:00am out at Big Foot Beach State Park. We will meet back by the shelter
near the playground. We will roughly go for a two hour hike. *There is no
charge to attend, and you can rent snowshoes from Clear Water Outdoor!
Rock Climbing
Join us Thursdays at 7:00pm at the Grand Geneva for an hour of climbing.
No experience necessary. We will provide the gear and basic instruction,
just wear comfortable clothes and athletic shoes and come ready to climb.
*The cost is $5 for an hour of climbing.
WANT A GREAT GIFT IDEA?
Give your loved ones an Adventure Club (Family or Individual)
Membership. Benefits include discounted rentals and store
discounts. Membership is valid for one year from purchase date.
For more information or to see our full events calendar please visit
www.clearwateroutdoor.com or call 262.348.2420
[MEET THE CLEAR WATER STAFF]
Sarah & dave Schuster, or
“Team Schu” are the proud owners
of Clear Water Outdoor. With 25
years of outdoor retail experience
and adventures o’plenty, we are here
to help you be comfortable outdoors.
Brian Waspi is our awesome
chief technical officer, e-commerce
guru and co-owner. Brian handles
anything and everything dealing
with the web, he is pretty much the
ghost in the machine, literally.
Sean Payne, aka “the coolest guy in
town” not only knows everyone in town, but
we are lucky to call him our floor manager.
Sean also has the task of managing the
boys when they get out of hand.
Kellie Kirkpatrick takes on the
role of assistant manager, buyer,
and climbing monkey. Kellie can
also be spotted getting lost in the
all the boxes when helping BK with
shipping and receiving.
Laura luksich wears many hats;
she is not only our inventory
manager but she is also another
buyer, blogger, gear tester and
works remotely from Oregon!
daniel daigler works with our
environmental
and non-profit
organizations. He is also a sales
associate, kayak chucker and the
reigning beard growing champion!
Luke Stewart is one of our
kayaking instructors, and just one of
our great kayak chuckers and sales
floor associates. His hair also has a
personality of its own.
Brian Kalvastrand makes sure
you receive your online orders and
also receives our new products. BK
is our main go-to guy when it comes
to reaching stuff that is too high up!
Nathan Duda handles our events
and is another one of our kayak
chuckers. Duda is the big joker in
the store, which is great because
after long days of putting away gear,
everyone needs a good laugh!
Heather Nelson is our fearless
merchandise woman and our
“Motivated Mom” blogger! Heather
keeps us all sane and cheerful with
her bubbly personality!
Crystal Beach handles everything
dealing with design, from web
banners, to this newsletter, and
event posters; she is our in-house
designer. Once in awhile she can
even be spotted on the floor helping
out from time to time.
Kara Hoxworth is our new
Adventure
Club
director,
trip
organizer, and is also known to start
random dance sessions on the sales
floor. She is a great addition to our
Clear Water family!