Apostle Islands Sea Kayaking
(near) Bayfield, Wisconsin
11 partipants max per trip
Victoria Castle
It’s not about getting out of the way,
it’s about getting into the flow
Getting into the Flow
This retreat is an amazing opportunity to get into the flow of life. What better way to do that than in a sea kayak, exploring sea caves on Lake Superior!
An ideal introduction to the world of sea kayaking, five-day format provides enough time to immerse in the outdoors and recapture the spirit of your adventuresome self. First time paddlers learn a range of skills and safety considerations that will prepare you for embarking on your own future trips. Experienced paddlers fine tune technique and deepen their knowledge of navigation, leadership and decision making on the water. Island features such as lighthouses, sea caves, wildlife, beaches and forests are included!
What do we mean by ‘getting into the flow’ ?
Flow is a state of connection to the present moment with a sense of openness and curiosity
Challenging limiting beliefs, especially those rooted in self-doubt, fear, and shame
Being real with what’s arising for you including body sensations and emotions
Noticing the ever-changing movement of life and nature
We’ll explore these through group activities, paddling, and all levels yin and hatha yoga
“A wonderful experience. Quite the adventure!”
Laurie T. 2023 participant
About the Program
Daily hatha and yin yoga, meditation, and guided relaxation to support you in exploring the theme of flow from the inside out
Learn nature related practices to heal and rejuvenate that you can take home and integrate into your life
Guided group processes such as gratitude ceremony to facilitate authentic connection and spark new truths
Laura Adrian is available for support and questions throughout the journey
Virtual pre-trip meeting to connect with fellow participants and help you prepare (make sure all your questions get answered). This will be recorded in case you miss.
No experience necessary. You don't need to be an athlete or superwoman to participate. If you have health concerns or injuries that may limit your ability to fully participate contact us prior to registration.
This is a drug & alcohol-free experience to promote a sense of safety for all participants
What if I'm new to camping or outdoor adventure?
No prior experience needed. This trip is very beginner friendly and we'll walk you through preparing step-by-step. Laura and kayak guides are very experienced with working with all ages, bodies, and experience levels.
You will need a basic level of fitness and ability to carry 30 lbs.
What’s Included
-All gear rental such as kayaks, tents, etc. All you need is a sleeping bag and pad and we can help you out with that if you let us know in advance.
-Expert guides (years of kayaking experience + Wilderness First Responder Certified)
-Delicious and nutritious vegetarian meals featuring local and organic ingredients beginning the Wednesday evening with dinner through Sunday lunch. We can accommodate food allergies/diets (check with us before registering if this is important to you).
-Daily yoga, meditation, team building, nature practices and inspiration
-4 nights of camping (one on the mainland 3 nights on the islands)
-Pre-trip virtual meeting to support you in preparing for the trip, connecting to participants, and answering any questions. Meeting will be recorded, but attendance is highly encouraged!
Note: Tents can be shared with pods 1-2 people, single tents are available upon request.
A portion of funds from each trip will be donated to support the parks and non-profit nature initiatives.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Set up camp on the mainland, hang out, explore. Group dinner at 6pm. Program officially begins at 7pm with an opening circle.
Day 2
Delicious breakfast with fresh fruits and vegetables! We'll begin the day with kayak instruction and safety course. We'll eat lunch, pack up the gear and get on the water. Our first island is a short paddle away. We’ll have a yoga session to decompress and stretch. We'll have a nice cooked meal made by our guides. In the evening we'll have a special program and a fire. There will be free time to relax, explore, and socialize.
Day 3
We’ll begin the day with yoga. After a warm breakfast, we’ll pack up camp and paddle to the sea caves. We’ll then make our way to another island! Staying together as a group, through this 3-4 hour paddle, we’ll get to enjoy the beauty of paddling the clear, deep waters of Lake Superior and see the unique landscape of the islands as well as birds and other wildlife. We’ll make camp and have some time to unwind with yoga. In the evening we’ll have dinner, a group activity, and a campfire.
Day 4
Today you’ll have a chance to explore the trails, guided group activities, and the option for a light paddle to another island! We’ll have a mid-day break with yoga to stretch any soar muscles!
Day 5
Wake up to a freshly cooked breakfast we'll do yoga and meditation to set ourselves up for the day. We’ll head back to the mainland and enjoy the vast teal waters of Lake Superior. It’s not a race, and we’ll savor the experience. This paddle will take about 3 hours give or take with group breaks. We’ll wrap up around noon.
Laura Adrian is a yogini and meditator who finds beauty, awe and inspiration by directly connecting to the Earth whether in a city park or wilderness expedition. She offers retreats and expeditions across the Midwest where she shares her adventurous spirit with seasoned adventurers or nature curious folks. Through these experiences, she hopes to encourage women to develop wilderness skills, challenge themselves, and develop a more beautiful relationship with the natural world. On this trip, Laura will lead guided yoga and group activities. Two expert kayak guides with wilderness training will guide support the group in safety, kayak instruction, and meal preparation.
About the Facilitator
Questions?
Contact Laura via email or schedule a call here!
Total Investment:
$1099
How to Register:
Registration opens on winter/spring 2024
1) Register for August 7th or August 21st trip!
2) Pay in full.
3) You will receive a welcome email.
4) Expect pre-trip communication including packing lists, virtual meetings, and additional information to assist you in preparing for the expedition. Laura will be available for pre-trip questions.
Cancellation Policy:
Please reflect carefully before registering for this experience. Seriously consider purchasing travel insurance as there may be changes in your health or life that are uncontrollable. Deposits are non-refundable after April 1st. For cancellations made after July 7th, no refunds will be permitted. In the event of an emergency or extenuating circumstances, we may be able to offer credit towards a future trip.
At any point, you may transfer your space and payments made to another person suitable for the retreat (must be approved by Whole Life Elevation).
In the event of unsafe weather conditions, the trip and/or itinerary may be adjusted to ensure the safety of the group.
In the event of severe weather, natural disaster, government intervention, campsite unavailability, acts of god, etc, Whole Life Elevation may choose to cancel the trip. If this is the case participants can 1) attend the rescheduled trip or 2) receive a full credit towards another trip or service with Whole Life Elevation to be used within 365 days of retreat cancellation.