Kayaking Fundamentals I

Source: www.weather-forecasts.com

Duration:	10am - 4pm
Skill Rating:	1
Van Supported:	Yes
From:	Gillson Beach or Skokie Lagoons
Price:	$ 99
Included: All sea kayak equipment, instruction, and lunch.
Not Included: Transportation or personal clothing and equipment. Cancellation policy applies.

This full day sea kayaking course provides novice paddlers (no experience necessary) the foundation for a fulfilling and safe kayaking career. Our certified kayak guides and instructors teach basic and intermediate paddling skills. This course is a must for anyone who wants to spend time enjoying the world’s waterways, be it tranquil flatwater or windswept surf zones, by kayak.

Schedule: Fundamentals I courses will run for 6 hours. We will meet 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the program at the southernmost part of Wilmette beach at Gillson Park in Wilmette (primary location) or the Skokie Lagoons in Winnetka (back-up location) depending upon the weather conditions and the temperament of Lake Michigan.. We ask participants to meet 15 minutes early to allow us to properly outfit you and ensure that you’re prepared.

Our instructors begin the program promptly at the scheduled start to the program. We cover a lot of material and important safety information right at the beginning of the clinic! If you are not there at the scheduled start time, you will be considered a no-show.

Parking: Parking is available on Michigan Avenue or on Middle Drive just off Sheridan Road at the park entrance. The Wilmette Police will ticket any cars parked right along the beach on Overlook Drive if they don’t have Wilmette stickers. Make sure to check your parking location! Upon arrival, walk down the main drive east into the park, continue heading straight for the Lake and look for the NWP kayaks and personnel at the end of the drive. You can also check with the park officials who will meet you just inside the main entrance to the park. Please call if you need additional information.

Location: If conditions on Lake Michigan are too rough for paddling, we will move the clinic to the Skokie Lagoon. Sometimes conditions inland are far different from conditions on the water.
Please call our office at 847-256-4409 or 800-732-7328 on the morning of your course after 9:00 AM to confirm its location; press 3 in the voice mail to check on location for that day.

• Swimsuit or shorts and T-shirt
• Water
• sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, raingear
• Croakies or something else to tie glasses on with
• Shoes- Flip-flop sandals are not useful as they will come off in open water. Water booties are ideal and sport sandals can also work. Shoes with laces are not appropriate.
• Extra warm layers- Remember that cotton will not keep you warm if it is wet (it will actually make you colder), so bring some extra layers that are made out of a synthetic material (such as fleece, Coolmax®, polypropylene, etc.) Come prepared for warm, cold and/or wet weather; we will be paddling rain or shine!
• Dry clothes to change into after
• If you have a wetsuit, paddling jacket or booties, bring them along. We will have wetsuits available for rent for $5 per session. Please contact our office in advance if interested in renting. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to provide adequate time to change into the wetsuit.

What happens if its bad weather?
Our kayaking programs run rain or shine. It's a water sport, and a little rain does ruin the fun! If there is lightning or dangerous weather we will reschedule the program. In early Spring and late Fall we require a minimum temperature of 50 degrees F or we will reschedule the program.
Our primary location is Gillson Beach in Wilmette, but if conditions are to dangerous on the lake or the beaches are closed we will relocate to the Skokie Lagoons.
In all cases please call us 2 hours before the program to confirm location or be notified of cancellation.

What money should I take?
None. You will have settled your balance prior to the outing.
Tipping is always appreciated but not required.

What do I need to bring?
Check out the equipment list under planning- or feel free to contact us if you have questions. Be sure to dress appropriate for the weather and with adequate footwear.

How can people reach me in an emergency? Can I call home?
Our guides carry cell phones and marine radios.

What kind of equipment do you use?
We use rotomolded single and double kayaks.

How many people are on this trip? How many guides? Who are the guides / what are their qualifications?
Our lead guides are ACA or BCU certified kayak instructors and all our guides are certified in Wilderness First Aid.

How much prior experience is needed?
None.

I took the Fundamentals of Sea Kayaking class. Our instructor, Ben, was an excellent teacher- he's obviously very experienced and really patient when teaching newbies like me. I felt so comfortable the whole time, I had been nervous about being in a kayak but by the end, felt completely at ease.
We learned the basics about the kayak, different types of maneuvers and how to rescue someone else or rescue yourself should you tip over.
We were in the Skokie Lagoons as opposed to the lake, which I think I'd prefer anyway; the water was calm and it's fun to travel along like on a river.
The class is an entire day long and yet I wanted to stay out longer. (My muscles are killing me this morning, so I'm not sure I would've made it out of bed if I had.)

-Amy M., Chicago, IL (taken from Yelp.com)