What is a Hoofer?

The Hoofer Youth Program is managed by, and uses equipment belonging to, the Hoofers Sailing Club (HSC). HSC is one of 6 clubs comprising the Wisconsin Hoofers, an outdoor recreational student organization. Hoofers started in 1931 partly under the direction of Dr. Harold Bradley, who was chairman of the Physiological Chemistry Department at the time. Some of the first Hoofer activities included a ski jump from Muir Knoll onto the lake just to the west of where the Sailing Club Techs are kept today! The six Hoofer Clubs include Mountaineering, Outing, Riding, Sailing, Scuba, and Ski & Snowboard. Both current and past students, as well as community members of all abilities are welcome to join any of the Hoofer clubs. The Wisconsin Hoofers operates the Outdoor Programs Office, located in the basement of the Memorial Union, to facilitate club registrations and leadership. The office is open 9am-5pm weekdays; feel free to call or stop by if you have any questions about Hoofer clubs or activities.

The Hoofer Sailing Club has roughly 1200 members and has been active since 1939. HSC maintains 8 fleets of boats including 45 Badger Techs, 12 420s, 8 Badger Sloops, 2 J-22s, 2J-24s, 30 sailboards, keelboats, Lasers, and 10 Scows. Not surprisingly, the Hoofer Sailing Club has the largest collegiate fleet of sail boats in the country, second only to Naval Academy! There are over 100 adult lessons offered every week on all fleets of boats in addition to our youth program (which teaches about 400 students to sail and paddle each summer!). Consequently, access to sailing lessons is not only limited to youth students. If you want to experience the same fun as your son or daughter, join the sailing club and learn to sail as well!

How did the term “Hoofer” originate?

At the time that the Wisconsin Hoofers was started, the Dartmouth Outing Club had a tradition of calling their new members “Heelers.” After members served the club for a period of time they graduated to the position of Hoofer, derived from the saying, “Hoofin it,” or “on the hoof.” Hoofers seemed an appropriate name because it signified that members participated in activities or traveled under their own power, i.e. through riding, paddling, climbing, or sailing to explore the outdoors. The Wisconsin Hoofers symbol containing the W and horse shoe are meant to represent good luck!