By Brittany Kovach, Forest Preserve District of Kane County
Tour our local waterways by kayak with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County!
The kayaking series begins with a lake-based, basic paddling skills class, followed by shorter and less-strenuous river sessions.
As the summer progresses, choose increasingly longer and more technical paddles for intermediate skill levels. Each session, participants will receive dry-land instruction on basic kayaking techniques from an experienced instructor.
Afterward, participants will take to the water for a naturalist-led exploration of the fascinating local ecology. Participants meet and park at the take-out location and are shuttled to the put-in location.
Participants may choose any number of sessions; you can take one, two or all six.
For all sessions, participants must be 16 years or older and able to:
- Hold breath under water while wearing a properly fitted life jacket;
- Independently turn from a face-down to a face-up position, keeping head above water;
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Effectively communicate with the instructor and other participants; and,
- Manage all mobility and personal care independently, or with the assistance of a companion.
The first session will offer novice skills training from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 1. The paddle, which will be less than a mile, will begin at Oakhurst Forest Preserve, 1680 Fifth Ave., Aurora.
The second session will be a beginner four-mile paddle from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at Fox River Shores Forest Preserve, 716 Williams Road in Carpentersville.
The fourth session for intermediates will feature 5.5 miles with portage on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora.
The fifth session for intermediates will go 6 miles and include a picnic lunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Fox River Shores Forest Preserve, 716 Williams Road in Carpentersville.
The final session for intermediates will feature 5.5 miles with portage on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora.
If you provide your own kayak and equipment, the fee is $45 per person, per session, for sessions 2-6. All fees include shuttle service.
Advance registration is required at least one week prior to the program, with payment required at the time of registration.
To register, visit www.kaneforest.com/register. Rain will not stop a paddle, but trips may be canceled (with full refund) due to lightning, low air/water temps, or unsafe water levels.