Kane County Forest Preserve Hold Kayaking Series

KANE COUNTY, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Kane County has announced the dates and locations for its 2022 kayaking series.

Those taking part in the series can start off with a lake-based, basic paddling skills class, which will be followed by shorter and less-strenuous river sessions for beginners, according to the news release. As the summer progresses, attendees can pick 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 and then will be taken on a naturalist-led exploration of the local ecology. Participants will meet and park at the take-out location and will also be shuttled to the location where they will their kayak in, according to the news release.

Participants can choose how many sessions they'd like to participate in. The dates and locations can be found below:

• Sunday, May 22: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Oakhurst Forest Preserve, 1680 Fifth Avenue in Aurora. Skills training and less than a mile paddle.
• Sunday, June 12: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve, 50 Airport Road, Elgin. A beginner course and 3 to 4 mile paddle.
• Sunday, July 17: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ferson Creek Park, Route 31 east of Wildrose Springs Drive in St. Charles. Beginner and intermediate class and four to five mile paddle.
• Sunday, August 14: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ferson Creek Park, Route 31 east of Wildrose Springs Drive in St. Charles. Beginner and intermediate class and four- to five-mile paddle.
• Sunday, September 11: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Glenwood Forest Preserve, 1644 South River Street in Batavia. Intermediate course and three- to four-mile paddle.
• Sunday, Oct. 9: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Avenue in Aurora. Intermediate course and four- to five-mile paddle with portage.

During the series, attendees will learn to hold their breath under water while wearing a properly fitted life jacket; turn from a face-down to a face-up position, keeping head above water, effectively communicate with the instructor and other participants and manage all mobility and personal care independently, or with the assistance of a companion.

The fee for a single kayak for session 1 is $69 per person and includes use of kayak, personal flotation device and paddle; it is $85 per person for sessions 2 to 6. If you provide your own kayak and equipment, the fee is $45 per person per session for sessions 2 to 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, according to a news release.

Call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com to register. Rain will not stop a paddle, but trips may be cancelled due to lightning, low air/water temps or unsafe water levels.