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<b>Chicago Kayak Club</b> Club
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Our Mission: 

  • To provide a safe and supportive atmosphere for sea kayakers of all abilities in the Chicago area
  • Free use of  Kayaks on all local Club Trips 
  • Free rescue clinics for Members held in the summer and pool sessions in the winter
  • Chicago Sea Kayaking Classes throughout the year thru our affiliate Chicago Kayak Inc.
  • Opportunities to participate in multi-day kayak trips to various locations
  • Organized volunteer projects benefiting conservation
 

Club T-shirts/Stickers contact Chris at cascheiden@hotmail.com to order or pick

Kayaks we use (levels, makes and models)

All Membership Questions:
Leigh Wilson Membership Director
ckcmembership@comcast.net
 

         How it works

Chicago Kayak Club Membership
Sign up online

Things you need to know..

Your first trip and...
Locations, Directions, &Tips and...
Club Calendar and trip rating system

How to RSVP for outings
Message from Events Coordinator Tina Prince

  • Free use of kayaks on all local Chicago kayaking outings
  • Access to our e-mail forum to communicate with other kayakers
  • Access to storage for your boat (fee based)
  • Quarterly Newsletter
  • Discounts on kayak rentals at Chicago Kayak Shack - a kayak store for new and used sales and rentals
  • Discounts on new Nigel Dennis Kayaks and Betsie Bay Greenland Paddles at the  Chicago Kayak Shack
  • Discounts at other local and online retailers
     

Rules of the Road
  We don't have many rules, but here are a couple:

  • You must wear a life vest, fully secured, anytime you are out on the water.
     
  • You must have completed the full Intro to Kayaking 
     
  • If you are using one of the club boats on a local outing- there is never a charge - but you must rsvp with a minimum of 24 hours notice.
  • When arriving at an outing, you must be there a minimum of 30 minutes before the posted launch time.
     
  • 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!

After you have signed up, read our Getting Started Group Paddling Info

Discounts for CKC Members
Gear and boats

Chicago Kayak Academy Store - Get 10% off on new Nigel Dennis Kayaks

Uncle Dan's
700 W. Church St. Evanston, IL  847.475.7100 www.uncledansonline.com
Get 10% off when you show your Chicago Kayak Club Membership Card. Higher discounts may be applied for larger big ticket items. This will be determined on an individual basis, just ask at the counter! Discount is at the store only, and not for online purchases.

Fluid Fun and Kayak in Bristol, IN
- CKC members get 10% off when you show
your cardFluid is situated along a river bank and has around 400 kayaks in stock, all of them available for a test run before you buy!  www.fluidfun.com

Outdoorplay.com 10% off all gear and merchandise - plus there is no sales tax - a real deal ( CKC has a special member code to enter on the web site when ordering) www.outdoorplay.com

Great Lakes Kayak - Lake Bluff, IL
Erehwon- Three locations in the Chicago Area

Geneva Kayak Center

Outfitters
Chicago River Canoe and Kayak  

Canoe and Kayak Rental - 10% off!  They rent boats at 3400 N. Rockwell in the city and at 3220 Oakton on the Evanston-Skokie border, and run occasional trips on the Skokie Lagoons and elsewhere.   Their website is www.chicagoriverpaddle.com, which lists their hours and prices.

What is not included in your membership fee?

  • Transportation to/from activities or trips
  • Park/Camping fees
  • Meals
  • Camping, hiking, and biking equipment
  • Personal items
  • Personal Gear

 

 

Chicago Kayak Club outings are held in season (April-Oct) Out of season, not only do we keep kayaking (less frequent trips though), but we also snowshoe, cross country ski, or simply travel somewhere warm for kayaking. This year we are going to the Everglades!
 .
Kayaking in Chicago is a great way to quickly leave the city behind and take in the beautiful skyline.  Chicago Kayak paddles all year as long as the water is not frozen!  The Chicago Kayak Club gets out on local paddles between 1-3 times per week. We alternate between the city and the suburbs, and do week days, as well as kayaking on the weekends. There are tons of opportunities to kayak and improve your skills. 

As far as physically challenging, our activities range from easy or moderate to advanced. 
 

Trip planning and last minute changes will be posted to our Yahoogroups e-mail list.  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chicagokayak/

    
Memberships are non refundable and start the day you purchase them.
 

Chicago Kayak Club Membership (12 months)  Member Dues: $100
Sign up for membership

Sign up for class and a membership 
Club Schedule


After you have signed up, read our Getting Started Group Paddling Info
           

 

 


 

 

Hi everyone!  WELCOME TO ALL THE NEW MEMBERS! 

We are starting this year's kayak season and we are already getting lots of RSVP's.  Just some reminders (to make my job a little easier) for new and old members: 

1.  You cannot sign up for a paddle until you are a current member, have submitted your member application and waiver, and have taken the intro class.   

2. If your membership has expired, you cannot RSVP until it is current and your new waiver has been completed. 

3.  You cannot sign up for a Level that is higher than your current level until you are at THAT level.   

4.  If you have children that are members, they cannot RSVP for Lake Michigan paddles or all day paddles.   

5.  If you are RSVP'ing for more than 1 paddle, you can send all the dates on the same RSVP e-mail, you don't have to send separate e-mails for each date.   

6. I will send a confirmation within a couple of days of receiving your RSVP request.  If you don't receive anything, try sending your RSVP again.   

7.  If you are signing up for a paddle that has a $10 trailer fee or more, you have to pay the fee with the RSVP.  This protects whoever is driving on these outings.   

8. If you sign up for a paddle that includes camping or any other fees, you have to pay those fees with the RSVP.  Again, this protects whoever is putting the money forth to hold the camping spots.   

9. Please be courteous, If you can't make it to a paddle you RSVP'd for, please let me know as soon as possible.  I keep all RSVP e-mails in received order and if a spot opens up I will go back to the first person denied to see if they want the spot. 

10. RSVP's must be made with a minimum of 24 hours advance notice.

11.  Last minute cancellations (ie, within 24 hours,)or if you are lost  should go to the cell  at 224.659.0754 Do not call this for other reasons!

12. When sending your rsvp, submit your name and both the date, time, and location of the paddles you are rsvp'ing for.

12. Please remember Cynthia DONATES her time to these outings, she DOES NOT get paid for them, so don't forget to tell her THANK YOU. 

All the information is on the website.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  Please remember that this club runs on VOLUNTEERS.   Let's have a fun and safe kayak season!

Tina

rsvpchicagokayak@comcast.net