Chicago Whitewater Association

Learning

POOL SESSIONS

CWA sponsors pool classes which introduce the students to whitewater boating in kayaks. Strokes, braces, the eskimo roll and safety considerations are all taught in these classes, unless otherwise noted. The following locations sponsor these classes and anyone interested in taking a class should visit the website for exact dates and contact information. Most classes start in October and again in January. This page is now updated dynamically with the most current pool sessions available..


Oak Park YMCA - Winter Intro to Kayaking, Oak Park
1/8/2012- 3/18/2012 (10 Weeks)
Sundays, 6pm - 7:45pm
Cost: $115 members/165 non + $15 gear fee
Contact/Registration: Register: West Cook YMCA at 708.383.5200
Notes:

Ten-week sessions also begin at the West Cook YMCA in Oak Park on Sunday, January 8th at 6 p.m. Classes run from 6 to 7:45 p.m., and are taught by Chicago Whitewater Association volunteers. All gear is included. This is NOT an open pool session. It is instructional.

*Kayaking (Ages 14+) AQ998*
Learn the fundamentals of this great water sport. Participants will learn how to roll, change direction, stop, exit the craft and much more.

YMCA Registration Page


Lattof YMCA - Winter Intro to Kayaking, Des Plaines
1/10/2012- 2/14/2012 (6 weeks)
Tuesdays, 7:30 to 9:30
Cost: $$60 - CWA Club Discount
Contact/Registration: 847-296-3376 http://chicagoymca.ebookview.net/lattof/aquatics.php
Notes: Members of the area paddling clubs (PCP, CASKA, CWA, PSC) will be charged a much lower fee to take the kayak lessons offered at Lattof Y this fall, winter, and spring (make sure to mention when registering). There are 7 lessons in the fall series for $70/student.

Tuesday night, January 10th, is the start of 6 lessons to be held at Lattof Y in Busse Pool from 7:30 to 9:30. Boats, spray skirts, and paddles are provided for student use.

If space permits, the warm Busse Pool is also open for those wanting to tune up their skills prior to the paddling season. Bring in your own clean boat and paddling gear for $10/ session. Call the Y to register for these sessions.

Lattof Y is along NW Highway in DesPlaines, IL. It's a quarter mile SE of the Prospect Road and NWHwy intersection.


Harper College - Winter Intro to Kayaking, Palatine
1/23/2012- 3/19/2012 (8 Weeks)
Mondays, 8:15-10:00 PM
Cost: $149
Contact/Registration: Bob Menard/Harper (reg info below)
Notes: In a safe, controlled environment you will learn the basics skills needed to begin whitewater kayaking. You will be taught proper paddling and stroke techniques in addition to developing individual rolls and braces. In each class you will spend a half-hour in the classroom and over an hour in the Harper pool practicing. Bring a swimsuit, towel and nose plugs. Equipment and kayaks for the class are supplied by the Chicago Whitewater Association. You must be able to swim to participate in this class.

Register for the class through Harper College CE directly - search under LPS Sports, then type in kayaking into the title field, hit enter.

Note: the Harper site lists the class as : WHITEWATER KAYAKING - 50881 - LPS 0025 - 001 or 002 under LPS Sports in the Continuing Education area.


Lattof YMCA - Late Winter Intro to Kayaking, Des Plaines
2/21/2012- 4/3/2012 (7 weeks)
Tuesdays, 7:30 to 9:30
Cost: $$70 - CWA Club Discount
Contact/Registration: 847-296-3376 http://chicagoymca.ebookview.net/lattof/aquatics.php
Notes: Members of the area paddling clubs (PCP, CASKA, CWA, PSC) will be charged a much lower fee to take the kayak lessons offered at Lattof Y this fall, winter, and spring (make sure to mention when registering). There are 7 lessons in the fall series for $70/student.

Tuesday night, February 21st, is the start of 7 lessons to be held at Lattof Y in Busse Pool from 7:30 to 9:30. Boats, spray skirts, and paddles are provided for student use.

If space permits, the warm Busse Pool is also open for those wanting to tune up their skills prior to the paddling season. Bring in your own clean boat and paddling gear for $10/ session. Call the Y to register for these sessions.

Lattof Y is along NW Highway in DesPlaines, IL. It's a quarter mile SE of the Prospect Road and NWHwy intersection.


Conant High School - Winter Intro to Whitewater Kayak, Schaumburg
3/1/2012- 4/12/2012 (7 Weeks)
Thursdays, 7:30 - 9:00 PM student , 9:00- 10:00 instructor
Cost: $105
Contact/Registration: R326-01 http://www.d211.org/ContinuingEd.shtml
Notes: This class will cover the basics of whitewater kayaking with a half-hour of classroom work prior to practice in the pool. Students should bring swimsuits, towels, glasses guards, and nose plugs. The class and equipment are supplied by members of the Chicago Whitewater Association. Conant High School- Room 114/Pool

Contact Steve Paolini if you want to aid for this class


Harper College - Spring Intro to Kayaking, Palatine
4/2/2012- 5/14/2012 (8 Weeks)
Mondays, 8:15-10:00 PM
Cost: $149
Contact/Registration: Bob Menard/Harper (reg info below)
Notes: In a safe, controlled environment you will learn the basics skills needed to begin whitewater kayaking. You will be taught proper paddling and stroke techniques in addition to developing individual rolls and braces. In each class you will spend a half-hour in the classroom and over an hour in the Harper pool practicing. Bring a swimsuit, towel and nose plugs. Equipment and kayaks for the class are supplied by the Chicago Whitewater Association. You must be able to swim to participate in this class.

Register for the class through Harper College CE directly - search under LPS Sports, then type in kayaking into the title field, hit enter.

Note: the Harper site lists the class as : WHITEWATER KAYAKING - 50881 - LPS 0025 - 001 or 002 under LPS Sports in the Continuing Education area.



 

CWA BEGINNER TRIPS

Learn to paddle safely and responsibly at our Fall and Winter pool classes offered at locations in and around the Chicago area. More experienced boaters can use their pool time to join us for a game of kayak polo or fine-tune new moves.

During spring and summer months, the CWA offers learning opportunities on local rivers.

We also offer special workshops for our members, including instructor development, certification and safety.

All classes require advance registration and many are available to CWA members only. 

Visit our Beginner trips page or our full Calendar page to see what is coming up. Please contact individual organizers for more information.

Tips

Bring bathing suit, towel, eyeglass guards (if you wear glasses), nose plugs (you’ll be upside down a lot), synthetic sweater or similar garment for warmth, some pools are cold.

Leave jewelry at home, it can break, or fall off; there’s no time to search the pool for lost charms!

Bring a lock for the locker room.

Leave valuables at home.

You do not need to bring your own equipment, unless you have your own whitewater kayak you wish to learn in.

Please be on time for all classes, especially the classroom session, as topics will not be repeated, come a few minutes early.