On Sunday, September 21, Darren Bush, owner of Rutabaga Paddlesports in Madison, Wisconsin, announced the closure of his store effective at the end of 2025. Bush announced the news on his Substack and on Facebook.
Bush started in the Paddlesports industry a few years before I did while he was working what he called a “real job” in public health. Eventually, he purchased Rutabaga as a co-owner in 2002 and completely in 2007. I remember the various purchases. After I left retail, I was looking for a new kayak and journeyed to Rutabaga to test paddle several sea kayaks. I ended up buying a brand that they didn’t carry, but to have a store of the quality of Rutabaga within a days drive was amazing. There are very few paddlesports stores in the country that operated at the level of Rutabaga.
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Instead of selling, Bush decided that he’d rather close shop, writing, “I did explore other options. I looked into selling the business, finding someone to take it over. Honestly, I couldn’t find a way to ensure that [it] would continue at the same standard.”
It was only a few years ago that he built a new store. During construction, he suffered a heart attack. That led him to volunteer as a hospice chaplain. He plans to pursue this as a profession.
Perhaps more well-known than the store is Canoecopia. Canoecopia is the world’s largest paddlesports expo that offers over 100 presentations and clinics and features many of the best paddlesports manufacturers and industry non-profits. Bush says that Canoecopia will continue. Hopefully, it will continue even after Bush retires from running it. For over 40 years, it has been like a family reunion for those who work or have worked in the industry and for all their customers, too.
Rutabaga also offered courses in paddlesports topics and wilderness first aid. The latter closure comes on top of REI discontinuing its wilderness first aid courses, and will leave a void for Midwestern paddlers when it comes to wilderness preparedness.
While there is sadness in my heart hearing about another quality specialty store closing in my area, I wish Darren the best of luck. I hope to see him on the water or at Canoecopia in the near future. He is liquidating his inventory, and you can shop at his online store at Rutabaga Paddlesports or in person in Madison, Wisconsin.
