“There’s the full moon over top of you. The only sound is the paddle in the water and the bullfrogs.” That was the bit of magic Roo Morgan, yoga therapist and founder of Eclipse Yoga, shared during a recent podcast about her Pop-Up Yoga business. She was painting a picture of her one-of-a-kind Full Moon Paddles at Bruin Lake State Camp in Gregory, Michigan.
Roo’s Full Moon Paddle
Always on the lookout for novel and unique experiences, I knew exactly where I wanted to be for the May 2026 full moon. Chuck was more or less a reluctant participant.
You see, we dipped our toes into standup paddleboarding while vacationing on Tybee Island a few years ago. The outing didn’t go quite as we’d envisioned. Between the wind and the tide stubbornly shoving our boards in the wrong direction, it was a bit of a struggle. I didn’t attempt to stand, but Chuck did. Unfortunately, he fell into the water and came home with a nasty rash on his back—certainly not the souvenir he was hoping for! Despite that, he knew how much I wanted to experience Roo’s Full Moon Paddle, so he agreed to give it another go.
Calming Our Fears
Admittedly, I, too, was a bit apprehensive after reading the description for the Full Moon Paddle, which says that previous paddling experience is required. But Roo assured me, we’d be fine. “You’re wearing a life vest. You’ll have leashes on. The boards are lit. Everything is to the safety protocol. If you need to be on your knees or seated, that’s okay.” She even has a few new boards equipped with backrests, making it much easier to sit.
Because the weather had been cold leading up to our paddle, I was also worried about what to wear. But this was not Roo’s first paddle. She sent an email suggesting clothes to bring. “You can be barefoot, wear water shoes, or tennis shoes. Personally, I wear water shoes with Smartwool socks. Wear a hat that will stay on and dress in layers.” She cautioned against cotton. She had mentioned she’d have Ziplock bags if you don’t have a dry bag. And what else should you toss in that dry bag? Roo mentioned gloves and a towel—just in case you need a quick warm-up or a dry place to sit.
Fueling Up
The other perk, besides the bullfrogs, is the overnight campout, which Roo organizes. She gets the campsites, plans the meals (dinner & breakfast), buys the firewood, and, if you need one, provides a tent. She also supplies all the equipment for the paddle. You just show up with your sleeping bag.
After we settled into our campsite, we officially kicked off our Full Moon Paddle adventure with dinner and a little happy hour before launching onto the Halfmoon Chain of Lakes in the Pinckney Recreation Area. It was the perfect opportunity to get to know the other paddlers and ease into the evening. In no time at all, Roo had a spread ready: coleslaw, New Orleans BBQ shrimp, and plenty of bread. She made sure we ate well. She said she’d planned the meal to provide the protein and fuel necessary for our time on the water. It was a gentle reminder that paddleboarding is a true full-body workout.
We had a fabulous view of Bruin Lake from our campsite. The campground was buzzing with families enjoying a beautiful Michigan day. Someone asked Roo where she’d stored the equipment for the paddle. She answered, “In my trailer at the boat launch,” then added, “We’ll get into the water there. We are not going to be tonight’s entertainment for the park.” I’m not sure about the other paddlers, but I wanted to hug her for saying that. It was yet another worry: Is everyone going to watch me get on the board while they are sitting around the campfire making s’mores?
Launching Out
And just like that, we headed to the boat launch to collect our gear and get a quick lesson on the dos and don’ts of paddleboarding. Roo splashed into the water barefoot, pulling the boards along. My feet were fully clothed in water shoes. Bracing for an ice bath, I was shocked to discover the water was warm. Not bath water warm, but not the shockingly cold water I was bracing for. (Newbie mistake: I should have put my water shoes in my dry bag and put them on with my Smartwool socks after launch.)
There had been a light breeze most of the day, but it had vanished, along with many of the boaters. There were a few stragglers making their way off the lake, their wakes dissolving. A stillness settled over the water, transforming the lake into a polished mirror.
As we glided across it, Roo was like a mother duck collecting her chicks and offering suggestions on our form.
“You’ve got T. rex arms.” She was referring to that classic rookie error where you keep your elbows tucked in tight to your chest. “T. rex arms” really limit your reach and sap your power.
Between my “T. rex arms” and the extra insulation from the required neoprene life vest, I had a good sweat going. Roo had warned us that we might get a bit warm.
Learning to Stand
Roo promised that the magic happens at Blind Lake; “It’s the best spot for watching the full moon rise,” she said. But first, we needed to conquer our fear and stand up on the board. Before we left the boat launch, she showed us where to stand on the board. Boards have a handle in the middle, she called it the belly button, and you need to keep yourself near it.
To stand, you start by kneeling directly over the belly button, that central handle, and lay your paddle across the board in front of your knees, placing your hands flat. That was the easy part. Roo’s advice for what comes next? Don’t overthink it. You simply step one foot, then the other, exactly where your knees had been, shifting your weight into your hands. At this point, you’re in a low squat with your feet parallel. The key is to keep your knees bent and your eyes fixed firmly on the horizon. DO NOT LOOK AT THE WATER. If you remember nothing else, remember that. Then, you just stand up and get that paddle in the water. Trust me, it really is easier than it sounds.
Once I stood up and got the feel for moving the paddle back and forth, I felt a bit foolish for the panic I’d felt before. The key is not looking at the water.
Finding Blind Lake
We left Bruin Lake via a canal and under the “Willie P. Bridge.” We stayed to the right, glancing briefly left at the entrance to Watson Lake as we headed to Blind Lake. Right around then, a pair of Sandhill Cranes swept low across the sky, one letting out that unmistakable bugle call. Behind them, the final glow of the sunset created a magical backdrop. It was like Roo had choreographed the scene, setting the stage for the full moon.
By then, I was feeling pretty confident standing up, but the very low bridge over the canal into Blind Lake presented a new challenge. Roo hadn’t mentioned how to sit back down. What to do? Unsure of how to gracefully drop back to my knees, I opted for an awkward, deeply bent-in-half standing slouch. I held my breath and silently glided under the concrete span, wondering what possessed them to make this bridge so damn low. It’s a bit of a catch-22; the clearance certainly keeps the motorized crowd at bay, preserving the lake as a secluded, no-wake sanctuary, but it’s a genuine test of flexibility and nerves for a newbie paddler.
Earning My Paddler Patch
Passing that hurdle felt like I just earned a “New Paddler” patch. As I glided up with the rest, Roo was pointing out Blind Lake’s rustic campground, which is only accessible by water or by hiking the Potawatomi Trail. I caught a flicker of a campfire on the shoreline. “Maybe something to add to my list of novel and unique adventures?” I mused to myself.
We paddled to the end and turned around to head back toward Halfmoon Lake. I was just steeling myself to navigate back under that precariously low bridge when I glanced over my shoulder. There, just peeking over the tree line, was the full moon. It was like an ornament in the sky, casting a glowing golden line across the glassy surface of the water. There is a pro-tip for ya: never forget to look behind you. You may miss some of the most breathtaking scenes.
Halfmoon Lake’s Full Moon
We took a moment to simply soak it in after paddling to Halfmoon Lake, oohing and aahing at the luminous glow before turning our boards back toward Bruin Lake. Along the way, fireflies performed a flickering dance among the reeds, while the bullfrogs provided a deep, baritone to the evening’s magic.
Reflecting on it now, all those pre-paddle jitters—the fear of a sudden tumble, the worry over the evening chill, or whether I had the grit for the three-mile trek—felt wonderfully silly. Was I exhausted? Absolutely, but it was that satisfied kind of tired after accomplishing something big. And was I ready for that campfire glass of wine? I practically ran to the bathroom to shed my damp Smartwool layers. If you’re looking for a recommendation, Roo’s Full Moon Paddle gets an emphatic yes from me.
Be sure to keep an eye on Roo’s website for the latest on her upcoming events and paddles. She’s constantly evolving, weaving new and fresh offerings into her schedule throughout the year.
Pictures
There are a few more photos in our gallery from our Full Moon Paddle.
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