The Iowa State Kayaking Club has been braving rapids for 15 years.

Club president Sean Murphy, senior in microbiology, said though the club organizes trips in Iowa, members prefer destinations beyond the state for larger trips.

“Basically, since Iowa doesn’t have a lot of whitewater, we organize weekend trips to Minnesota,” he said. “Also, each year we try to take longer trips to other states with whitewater.”

Club treasurer Jordan Lanini agreed that Iowa is not the best state for kayaking.

“Iowa, as a general rule, is very bad [to kayak in] because it’s flat,” said Lanini, senior in animal ecology.

This semester, the club has taken three major trips. The week before spring break they traveled to southern Missouri to paddle the rapids of the St. Francis River. The ISU Kayaking Club also has boated on the Kettle River in northern Minnesota and on the Wolf River in northeastern Wisconsin.

“Usually we travel with three to seven people for small trips,” Murphy said. “Our bigger and longer trips to the big rivers of Minnesota and Wisconsin, bring together fun, thrills and lots of teaching and kayaking.”

When there’s not enough time to get away, club members kayak on the Raccoon River near Jefferson and on the Boone River.

Kayaking typically begins in early March weather permitting, but Lanini said some members went boating during a warm spell in January.

Lanini said he kayaks for “the adrenaline rush.”

“Plus, it’s good to get outside after you’ve been cooped up studying,” he said.

The club has 12 vessels in its fleet and is looking to add a 13th.

The club holds practices at least once per week, even during the winter months, in State Gym.

Lanini said the Kayaking Club has paddlers of all skill levels.

“We have a pretty good range of people that are in the club,” he said.

Local kayakers who aren’t students often help lead trips, he said.

For the less-experienced club members, the club provides the basic safety and control know-how to give them confidence in the water.

“We teach how to be in control while kayaking and how to be safe in rivers or lakes against water currents,” Murphy said.

The club is open to everyone from the Ames and ISU communities. The club charges dues to help pay for kayaking equipment.

“We charge for trips and the dues go to replacing life jackets and wet suits,” Murphy said.

Pool sessions are held in the State Gym pool between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Interested students should bring swimsuits and towels.