Basic Rescue Skills

Schedule: The course will run for three 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 location hotline at 847-920-4409 on the morning of your course after 9:00 AM to confirm its location.