When David and Valerie Wagner first visited Mason County and Hood Canal three or four years ago, the couple fell in love with the area. Within two days, they had decided to buy a business headquartered in Union, Hood Canal Adventures, and move to Puget Sound.

Because they know first-hand that many visitors love the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas so much, they come back repeatedly, the Wagners have been looking for ways to make those visits even more enticing. Since buying the business — which offers kayak and boat rentals plus a variety of packages and tours — the pair have trying to offer new “out of the box” adventure ideas.

“There’s a kid inside of everybody but you have to pull it out sometimes. We allow people to have fun, and we pull the kid out of them,” David Wagner said.

The packages that Hood Canal Adventures offers range from sunset tours complete with dinner, to fly fishing tours and guided hiking tours. One new offering is a package just for the men, called “Fly Fishing, Golf & Poker.” It’s a weekend that includes a guide taking the guys to a “secrete fishing spot,” plus a trip to the casino for some Texas Hold ‘Em, and a round of golf at Alderbrook Golf Course.

“Flying fishing, golf and poker are all things guys like to do and it’s something we thought it would be cool to have,” Wagner said. “We’re trying to find ways all the time to keep it fresh and do something different.”

Last summer, Hood Canal Adventure did something else very different. The Wagners were the main organizers of the Explore Hood Canal Geocache Bash, an event that was sponsored jointly by the chamber of commerce from Shelton and North Mason. The high-tech treasure hunt attracted families to Mason County from all over the region, and this year it’s being expanded to include hiking and more advanced routes for more experienced geocachers.

“They want to be challenged and think about what they’re doing,” Wagner said.

The Geocache Bash will be in October and also include a team event, with the top team winning not only a trophy but also a kayaking tour.

Hood Canal Adventures is not new to the idea of geocaching. The Wagners have been offering private events for this popular recreational pastime, and the business has attracted everyone from Microsoft employees doing a retreat and team building to families celebrating birthdays. They’ve also mixed it up, keeping in tune with the “out of the box” goal: They’ve organized events such as geocaching poker runs and a St. Patrick’s Day-themed geocache event on a golf course.

“We want to create things people can do when they bring their family here for vacations,” Wagner said.

Kayaking is among the popular activities supported by the business, especially since Hood Canal is a perfect spot for it. Many regular customers are seniors, and Wagner believes there’s nothing easier than kayaking.

“Nowadays, I think a lot of seniors have energy and they want to be active and be outdoors, and we offer an easy platform for them to do it,” he said.

Hood Canal Adventures uses sturdy kayaks that are not prone to tipping over, and staff provides complete assistance with launch and disembarking, along with a Kayaking 101 session for beginners. “The docks are flat and (the kayakers) get pushed off and pulled off, and it’s really easy to get in and out of the kayaks,” Wagner said.

One of his regulars, a woman in her 80s, has even continued kayaking after hip-replacement surgery. And those who are not comfortable paddling by themselves or are frail can be paired up with someone more experienced or strong in a double kayak. “It’s not a lot of physical work,” Wagner said.

Some people show up in groups, renting kayaks and going on water outings together. “They are in the water with their friends, and the views (on Hood Canal) are absolutely gorgeous,” Wagner said. “It’s just spectacular.”

Those looking for more personalized service can schedule a kayaking tour, which includes a kayak lesson and a guided trip, as well as snacks or lunch and other extras (even fishing), depending on the budget. Currently, the tours are around Hoodsport and Union but Wagner said they can be arranged anywhere on the Kitsap Peninsula.

“We’re open to taking our fun anywhere,” he said, “as long as we have water.”

For more information, see www.hoodcanaladventures.com.