Uncommon Adventures

Uncommon Adventures Getting people to play in the water since 1982! ...For details visit https://www.mi-paddleadventure.c *The Uncommon Philosophy*

Life is short.

We want to help you make the most of it. We depend on the wild places of this planet for water, air, and a good dose of sanity. Positive wilderness experiences lead to a personal investment in their survival. Uncommon Adventures wants to help you realize your dreams while cultivating the preservation of that big, beautiful world out there. We apply their craft through activities that are fun, self

-propelled, and offer various degrees of physical challenge, from mild to wild. All experience levels are encouraged to join these trips — we enjoy sharing skills taught by the very best instructors available.

*Paddling Instruction*

Uncommon Adventures specializes in kayak tours, certified kayak instruction, corporate retreats and backcountry fly fishing in fresh and saltwater environments. Since 1984, expert guides and professional workshop leaders have made Uncommon Adventures a good find for individuals, small groups and corporations. We do not strive to be a large tour company offering "cookie cutter" experience to all corners of the world. Our focus is to offer excellence in a few very special locations that we know well, or we partner with local guides for the best local knowledge couple with our own high standards. Uncommon Adventures does not offer "seen that done that" kinds of experiences, but rather programs that are instructional in nature. You'll walk away with new skills, feeling more of an intimacy with the waterscapes traveled within.

*Mission Statement*

"We live in a highly developed nation, with very specialized jobs, packed schedules and to-do lists that rival the roll in the bathroom. It is the beginning of the 21st century and we have never been more divorced from the planet that gives us life. I've developed these programs to address a screaming need for us all to get our hands dirty, our feet wet and breathe the musky aroma of earth back into our lungs. Put down that cell phone, go off-line, get out of the race...come outside and play."
- Michael Gray, Director

11/27/2024

Holiday Newsletter 2024

Tired of the headaches of on-line shopping for things you need to fit, try or lift? Misrepresented gear, no expertise an...
11/03/2024

Tired of the headaches of on-line shopping for things you need to fit, try or lift? Misrepresented gear, no expertise and stuff that doesn’t look anything like the picture….no, not on-line dating. For those interested in paddlesports….wouldn’t it be awesome to go somewhere you can put your butt in the boat, feel that paddle, try on that life jacket? At Savannah Canoe & Kayak, you can have all of that with expert advice and no hassles. Like and subscribe to real retail.

Looking for adventure? Our adventures continue as we head home from Montana/Wyoming. Join us for some rough water play a...
10/03/2024

Looking for adventure? Our adventures continue as we head home from Montana/Wyoming. Join us for some rough water play and fun in Tybee, Georgia - still a couple spots available for our November 3-9 Ocean Skills week (with optional assessments if you want or need one). We always have a great time playing in conditions. Small participant to coach ratio allows us to divide up based on interest and skill level. Sign up - you won’t be sorry!

Uncommon News September 2024 -
09/10/2024

Uncommon News September 2024 -

Why do an outfitted and guided trip?You may have the skills, gear and desire to do some of these trips on your own, but ...
09/10/2024

Why do an outfitted and guided trip?

You may have the skills, gear and desire to do some of these trips on your own, but there are some advantages to a well done guided program that may not be so obvious. Let's face it...some pre-trip preparation is just plain WORK, but has to be done.
Guided Advantages:
*Local knowledge...deeper experience
*Pre-vetted group and clear leadership pathway (less stressful): This is a huge plus and is key to a safer and smoother experience.
*Solid pre-trip plans and packing lists, food planning, etc: mistakes are not really adventure...they can be mis-adventure.
*Strength in numbers: lowers the cost of shuttles, lodging, logistics, food, packing, shared gear...some destinations can actually be cheaper this way or simply make a trip possible.
*Gear sourcing in remote areas is much easier as a group.

When evaluating your options for a guided trip, these are all things you want to consider and give you some ideas of questions to ask as well.

Lots of 2025 programs just went up on our calendar for those looking to get a jump on plans. If there's something you d...
09/08/2024

Lots of 2025 programs just went up on our calendar for those looking to get a jump on plans. If there's something you don't see yet, let us know and maybe we can put something together.

August 14 - August 22 Isle Royale Explorer 2024 9 days including two travel days. This is a magical place wrapped up in ancient rock, thimbleberries and the unforgiving waters of Lake Superior. The Explorer trip starts and ends in Copper Harbor, with lodging included on first and last nights. $2295

Anyone out there in paddling land that may be interested in a Level 3 Coastal update, an IDW OR an ICE...we have one tha...
08/27/2024

Anyone out there in paddling land that may be interested in a Level 3 Coastal update, an IDW OR an ICE...we have one that is fully supported and fully catered coming up in October with space:

This workshop is held in our Northwest Michigan base, giving us access to multiple venues to provide a variety of conditions including moving water. Since food is provided and we’re all based out of the same location with a instructor/student ratio of 1:3, you are assured of a great inclusive expe...

08/25/2024

Very excited to be teaming up with Jacob Weigandt and his team at Costa Rica Explorer for our spring Costa Rica trips. Due to the fact that Jake is a fine paddler, surf instructor and top shelf naturalist, I am also honored to have him join us next summer with our Great Lakes paddling options. Please welcome this fine human to the our paddling family:https://www.facebook.com/jacob.weigandt

Sad that summer is starting to draw to a close? Extend that feeling with our early November Tybee Island Georgia bumpy w...
08/15/2024

Sad that summer is starting to draw to a close? Extend that feeling with our early November Tybee Island Georgia bumpy water trip! Still a couple of spaces left:

Want more experience in rough conditions but without the dread of very icy water? Our answer to that is an adult spring break that won’t break the bank! You’ll get some experience and expand your skills with navigation, tidal currents and surf.

Did you miss out on our Costa Rica trip? It filled so quickly that we’ve added a second set of dates. Registration is no...
08/11/2024

Did you miss out on our Costa Rica trip? It filled so quickly that we’ve added a second set of dates. Registration is now available for the new dates (April 26 - May 3, 2025). Great opportunity to explore gorgeous Costa Rica!

Costa Rica Anyone? Pura Vida! We are proud to be partnering with Costa Rica Explorer Adventure company for this adventure sport week based out of a comfy Pacific Beach lodge in Dominical. It’s a week filled with your choice of adventures. Choices include: surf lessons, whitewater rafting (or white...

We have just set dates and confirmed our 2025 Costa Rica Multi-sport trip, Kendra Newman, Renee DuFresne, Libby Morrow W...
07/25/2024

We have just set dates and confirmed our 2025 Costa Rica Multi-sport trip, Kendra Newman, Renee DuFresne, Libby Morrow Wolf, Jill Lingard, Karna Powell Hutton

Costa Rica Anyone? Pura Vida! We are proud to be partnering with Costa Rica Explorer Adventure company for this adventure sport week based out of a comfy Pacific Beach lodge in Dominical. It’s a week filled with your choice of adventures. Choices include: surf lessons, whitewater rafting (or white...

A few photos from our personal trip around Isle Royale. It was an amazing trip with varied conditions and lots to be lea...
07/22/2024

A few photos from our personal trip around Isle Royale. It was an amazing trip with varied conditions and lots to be learned during the guide training. Special thanks to Phil Salvador and Jacob Manges for all their hard work. If you’re looking for a special trip, no one knows Isle Royale by kayak like Michael Gray!

Keep an eye out for these kayaks. Help The Power of Water get them home.
07/22/2024

Keep an eye out for these kayaks. Help The Power of Water get them home.

Copper Harbor is such a neat little town. We really miss having our RV up here this year but hope we can spend more time...
07/10/2024

Copper Harbor is such a neat little town. We really miss having our RV up here this year but hope we can spend more time locally next summer. Thimbleberries are a few weeks away but the bugs seem to be hiding. (Let’s hope they aren’t awaiting us on IR!) Beautiful day as we prepare to go to the island tomorrow on the Queen.
P.S. It’s currently 59F here today. A great place to beat the heat!

07/10/2024

Plane and ferry are the only two ways to get to this secluded Michigan gem.

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6721 Grace Road
Benzonia, MI
49616

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Learning to rescue heavy sit-on tops with waterfront leaders from the Girl Scouts! Fun times.

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