Rutabaga Paddlesports to close

In an emotional blog post, Darren Bush, owner of Rutabaga Paddlesports in Madison, WI announced the retail store will close at the end of December 2025. Bush, who became a part owner of the store in 2002 and sole owner in 2007, informed industry followers that he planned to return to school to pursue a Clinical Pastoral Chaplain certification. The store will remain open until the end of the year. Canoecopia, the well-known annual paddling event held every March, will continue under Bush’s management.