Chicago Kayak Club Membership         Chicago Kayak Classes            Gift Certificates/Gift Cards    

 

 

Chicago Kayak Membership Letter


  As a member you agree to follow our basic rules of conduct. These are based on safety and respect of others.

Paddling with a Group - getting started with the Chicago Kayak Club
This information is for members of our club.   All members must rsvp with a minimum of 24 hours in advance and wear a life jacket while on the water. All members must be appropriately dressed. Check out our Class FAQ which discusses what to wear. All list minute changes or cancellations are posted to our e-mail group. If you are not on it, please join at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chicagokayak/

Launch Times - arrive early!
When a time is posted on the schedule, that is for the most part, the Launch Time (some day trips it is the departure time for driving)  For our trips in Chicago, prepare to be at the launch site a minimum of 30 prior to departure.  This gives you time to prepare your boat, stow your gear, adjust your footpegs, dress, use the bathroom and carry boats to the entry point. 

Everyone helps everyone else carry boats and get ready.  Offering a helping hand to other members is much appreciated!  We work as a team to get ready to depart on time.  If you are not there by 10 prior to launch time, you will be unable to attend. 

Things that can help: Plan plenty of time to get to the launch, know the area, have maps with you. Bring our cell number 224.659.0754 so you can call if lost.

Remember, many of our members may leave work early to get there on time or drive a long distance to get to our outings.   Please respect all members by being on time. It is unfair to have people waiting around, who have done their part by arriving on time.

Right before we launch, we do introductions.  Let everyone know your name, what safety gear you are carrying, and your experience level.  This helps everyone be more prepared out on the water.

Staying together
While out on the kayaking trip, stay
with the group and understand
that the group moves only as
fast as the slowest kayaker.
If the group is moving too
slowly for you, practice your
support and turning strokes
and take a meandering course
 as you wait for the rear of the
group.

Most groups have lead and sweep kayakers: stay between them for your safety. The lead kayaker is picking the route that the group will follow. Those at the front of the group should always be within shouting distance of the paddlers at the rear. When crossing boat channels the group must stay very close together. This makes it easier for the operators of larger craft to see and avoid the group. In the crossing, you should push if you are a slower paddler or slow down if you are a faster paddler.

Group kayaking is fun if everyone helps each other. If you see someone having trouble, try to help. Watch the leader and learn for another time. Good leaders have reasons for almost everything they do. Ask questions they'll be glad to explain.

Landing
When we come back to the starting point, try to leave your gear on you (pfd, skirt) and put your paddle in your boat. This helps us keep everything together so nothing gets left behind, it also helps reduce the number of trips that we make back and forth. If you must take off gear before walking back to the trailer, please also store this in the cockpit of the kayak.  Putting it on the ground lets it collect more sand and dirt which then end up in the truck, and increases the chances of gear being left behind.

Help each other carry and bring all items to the truck and trailer. Once we are by the truck, Usually one person collects paddles, another will lash together pfd's and still another will do skirts. A few people, working together, can bring boats to the trailer. Working together this takes us about 5 minutes - really quick! 

DO NOT STAND ON THE TRAILER, EVER!!

What to do with your stuff that you are not taking on the kayak
You can store car keys, gear bags, bike helmets, etc in our truck. If you rode a bike you can lock it to the trailer. For the most part, use the back seat, not the rear compartment where most of the club gear goes. Stuff tends to get lost back there and not surface for years!  Remember to remove all your items. If you forget something, just let me know.

Ride Shares
Many times we have members who live close to each other that can share rides.  Saves gas money, but more importantly, it saves gas!  On longer day trips, we usually meet at my house and then head out in a caravan from there.  Need a ride?  Post to our yahoo e-mail list.  You can also post if you can give someone a ride.

Gas Money for the Trailer
With the cost of gas skyrocketing, it is getting much more costly to pull the trailer.  If you can contribute, even a dollar or two each time you come out, that really helps. To get downtown costs about $20 per trip.  On longer trips, a $5 or $10 donation helps alot too.  Going to the Mississippi or Devil's Lake can be upwards of $150.  We get 8 miles to the gallon when pulling the big trailer.

 Member dues are not enough to cover this, so helping with these expenses will ensure member dues remain where they are. 

 
  • You must wear a life vest, fully secured, anytime you are out on the water.
     
  • You must have completed the full Intro to Kayaking  and successfully completed both the wet exit and the assisted rescue.
     
  • If you are using one of the club boats on a local outing- you must rsvp with a minimum of 24 hours notice.
     
  • If you are using your own boat - for Lake Michigan kayaking outings, you must have bulkheads and proper floatation.
     
  • You must be properly dressed during cold water paddling events - no cotton! Wetsuits or drysuits in early spring and fall. - We provide wetsuits and paddle jackets, so just ask to borrow one!  When the water is warm, it is a whole different ball game, but cold water kills, so be safe!
  • If you are late for an outing, and you don't call, your spot will be given to the next person who is waiting
  • If you do not show up to an outing, and you do not call or e-mail to cancel before hand, your membership may be in jeopardy.

 

 
  • You are expected to arrive on time, approx 30 minutes before our launch, to get yourself ready. If you require more time, please plan to arrive even earlier.
  • You are expected to care for the equipment as if it were your own, or better.
  • You are expected to respect other club members, assist each other and be kind and courteous to all members and leaders.
  • If you are disruptive to the group, you may be asked to leave the outing
  • If you put the safety of the group at risk, you will be asked to leave and membership revoked. 
  • If you are using drugs or alcohol while on the water you will be asked to leave and your membership revoked.