Madison Boats owner Tyler Leeper “paddles’ the extra mile for our lakes
Tyler Leeper has a deep connection to our lakes, and an even greater investment in their health. As the owner of Madison Boats, which includes Wingra Boats, Brittingham Boats, and Marshall Boats on Lakes Mendota, Monona, and Wingra, his family business is dependent on water quality and lake health.
“Our job is to help people get out on the lakes every day throughout the summer. We see firsthand how water quality impacts our community, our economy, and our quality of life.”
Tyler Leeper
Partnership for our lakes
Despite challenges facing our watershed, Leeper and his family business are going above and beyond to protect the resources they depend on everyday. As a Clean Lakes Alliance Lake Partner, Madison Boats gives an annual monetary donation to support the organization’s efforts in lake improvement projects, water quality monitoring, and education. But their contributions go far beyond a donation.

Leeper is not only a former Clean Lakes Alliance Board member, he is also the primary partner of Lake Explorer Camp. This program teaches students from the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County and Bayview Foundation & Community Center about our lakes. Every year, students receive an interactive education on fishing, paddling, lake ecology, and leadership. For some students, this is their first time being on Madison’s lakes.
Paddle for a purpose
More recently, Leeper has found even more ways to support the cause by hosting “Paddle for a Purpose Mondays” in which 20% of rental fees are donated to Clean Lakes Alliance. Additionally, during the past two summers, Madison Boats partnered with Reebok and the CrossFit Games to produce the Reebok Fit Barge on Lake Monona. This unique experience brought athletes and community members to the middle of the lake for fitness classes, events, and community building.

Leeper as a lake leader
Madison Boats is a cornerstone of the Madison lake community, a strong contributor to our local economy, and a dedicated advocate for healthy lakes. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Leeper was awarded the 2018 “Lake Leadership Award” at the Clean Lakes Community Awards.

Join us at this year’s Clean Lakes Community Awards on Tuesday, December 3rd!
More 2018 award winners
- New Lake Partner of the Year Award – Naturalake Biosciences
- Individual Lake Leadership Award – Tyler Leeper of Madison Boats
- Volunteer of the Year Award – Arlene and Jeff Koziol
- Lake Leadership Business Award – National Guardian Life Insurance Company
- Founders Award – The Gialamas Company, Inc.
- Project of the Year Award – Dane County “Suck the Muck”