Courses, Tours, & Events

Advanced Rescues & Towing

This course is designed for those who have basic rescue skills (T-Rescue, Paddle Float, Scramble, etc) and want to be a better paddling partner! Learning more "advanced" rescues and towing skills will help you become a better paddler and partner on the water. Scoop, Hand of God, re-entry and roll will be covered along with a variety of towing techniques. Group Management will be covered in this course. Participants should bring their tow bag of choice for this fun and challenging course!

Course Level: 3-4

Basic Rescues

The joy of paddling is that it can take us wherever we want to go on the water. Whether your ideal paddling trip is a protected river, or exposed coastline, having a grasp of how to get yourself, and the paddlers you are with, back into the boat is critical to safe paddling. Learn basic assisted and unassisted rescues including variations of the T-Rescue, Paddle Float, Scramble, Stirrup and Scoop. Basic safety for paddlers will also be covered.

Course Level: 2

Basic Strokes & Beyond

We recommend this course for those who have taken the Intro to Kayaking or Introduction to Sea Kayaking class and are looking to go further with a focus on basic strokes, primarily on the forward stroke and sweeps.  This class will focus on the development of good, safe technique that will keep you paddling all day with good boat control!  Depending on the progression of the participants in class, we may break into smaller groups to focus on individual skills.  This course is also valuable for paddlers with a bit more experience that are looking to refine basic strokes. 

Course Level: 1-2   

BCU Trainings/Assessments

The BCU offers a standard of training that takes the paddler from the very basic skills to advanced skills that allow them to paddle anywhere in the world. It provides benchmarks for the paddler to gauge his or her paddling skills and knowledge regarding sea kayaking. The BCU Star and Coach awards are recognized worldwide. Links to the BCU North America Website will give you information on the trainings and assessments. If you would like more information, give Geneva Kayak a call at (630) 232 0320.

Courses Offered

BCU 2 Star Training

BCU 2 Star Assessment

BCU 3 Star Training

BCU 3 Star Assessment

BCU 4 Star Training (2 days)

Boat Control I

For finer boat control, this course will focus on how the body, boat and blade work together in harmony.  First, we’ll focus on the the basic movements: rotation, edging and tilt. Then we’ll move into edge turns and how torso rotation works with key strokes to turn the kayak on edge.

Course Level: 2

Boat Control II

Boat Control I picks up where Boat Control 1 left off. We’ll continue to build upon the way our body, boat and blade work together while edging and in turns, and then move to hip snap development.  This hip snap development is vital for learning bracing and recovery maneuvers as we move to the components of an effective low and high recovery.

Course Level: 2-3

Bow Roll Rescue

Join coach John Martin as he teaches the newest rescue technique for recovering an inverted paddler that is not able to roll or exit their boats.  Published in October’s Sea Kayaker Magazine, this technique is another great tool to add to your toolbox of rescue techniques.  This half-day course will start on land and then progress to the water.

Course Level: 2-3  

Core Paddling I

This class covers the basis of kayaking – power from the core!  Its goal is to provide a solid ergonomic and efficient set of skills for people to grow through their kayaking career.  The subjects covered are correct grip and hand placement in the paddle shaft, check on boat fit, and an explanation of terms. Balance, posture, and tilting are covered as is correct blade and boat use to guarantee a good foundation to grow from. Strokes covered may include forward and reverse sweeps, pivot turns, reverse stroke, forward stroke, and low braces.

Course Level: 2

Core Paddling II

The goal of this class is to increase the students' ability to use the hull and the water in harmony with as efficient use of body, paddle, and hull presentation as possible. A quick revision of the basics covered in the Core Paddling I continues into the more technical strokes. Ruddering (front, mid-ships, and rear), draws and pries, high braces, stroke linkage and combination strokes are covered in this class. Forward stroke is broken down to a deeper level as is the relationship between the hull and the water. We will also look into the differences between strokes on the move and static strokes.

Course Level: 2-4

Forward Stroke Workshop

It's what we spend so much time doing. Paddle smarter not harder by utilizing good technique. It's never too early or late to brush up on this useful skill!  Former National Champion Jim Tibensky will take participants through a series of unconventional teaching methods to help them get more power and efficiency out of their forward strokes. This class is excellent for those looking to engage their core more actively in their paddling and want to paddle longer with less effort.

Course Level: 2

Fun In Your Kayak

While all of the courses at the Windy City Kayak Symposium are "fun", this course, lead by the “one and only” Kelly Blades is "extra fun! You may even learn something while you’re having all this fun! Curious? Join Kelly for this half-day of "fun".

Course Level 1-2

Greenland Paddle Strokes

Interested in learning traditional methods of paddling?  Try this Greenland Paddling strokes workshop in which topics taught will range from basic to advanced strokes, including the canted-blade forward stroke, draw and sweep strokes, as well as stern, bow, and cross bow rudder strokes for surf.

Course Level: 2-4

Greenland Rolling

A strong rolling foundation is a fundamental aspect of the sport. Balance braces, sculling for support and standard roll provide a basic skills set. Students with stronger foundations will progress to advanced rolling, including one-on-one help with all competition rolls, sculling rolls, aft and forward recovery rolls with blade, norsaq and hand. Rolls for real conditions will be emphasized.

Course Level: 2-4

Introduction to Kayaking

Do your vision of kayaking include a serene lake, gently flowing river? Designed for the person who is interested in kayaking but has limited or no experience in a boat, this class is designed cover basic strokes and safety for recreational kayakers on calm water. After this course, paddlers should feel comfortable paddling a kayak on smaller bodies of water such as flat-water rivers, small lakes and ponds. This is also a great course for those who want a good foundational experience, but do not wish to spend the entire day in our Introduction to Sea Kayaking Course.

Course Level: 1

Introduction to Sea Kayaking

Are you a beginner with no sea kayaking experience and no previous formal instruction? If so, this all-day Introduction to Sea Kayaking course is the best way to get started. After completing the day, you won’t be a beginner any more! You’ll be ready to enjoy Level 2 courses and kayak tours available to you. We'll start by just getting into the water and getting used to the way your kayak feels.  After getting comfortable in your boat, it's time to do a little paddling and have some fun on the water.  Once we’ve warmed up, we’ll move right to a wet exit. Your instructors will guide you through a series of steps to help you feel at ease as you exit your boat. This is a relaxed, no pressure way to learn this important safety skill.  After a break for lunch we'll learn the basic strokes you need to build a strong foundation for kayaking. We’ll cover going forward, stopping and turning, then move into learning a t-rescue, a skills that is essential to safe paddling.  After completing this class, we recommend that you continue with Level 2 courses. You do not need to take any of the other Level 1 courses as this course covers all the material taught in all the Level 1 courses.

Course Level: 1

Kayak Warm-Up

Is this event the beginning of your kayaking season?  Not ready to jump right in and start with rescues, edging or rough water play, and want a little time in a boat to get back into the swing of things?  You’ll start out with some stretching and light paddling and then work with your instructors to improve technique for the rest of the symposium and a great season of paddling. 

Course Level: 1

Kayak Games!

Dead Fish Polo?  Pony Races? Tag?  Is this a grade school gym class?  No, this is Kayak Games, where you have to learn because you’re having so much fun!!!   Join in on all the non-sense with coach Ginni Callahan from the west coast as she injects her playful, fun nature into this half day of “tomfoolery”.

Course Level: 2

Kayak Rolling

This Course is for all levels of rollers. This course includes both Greenland and Euro Style Rolling and has a high ratio of coaches to  students. Depending on your previous experience, we may start you on dryland and then move into the water, or head right on out to the water to help you develop new rolling techniques.  The goal of the course is to develop a solid and consistent technique for rolling in all different conditions. 

Course Level: 2-4

Performance Paddling

This course will emphasize the body, boat and blade and learn how to put these components together for better performance. Coaches will analyze your current strokes, pinpoint areas for improvement, and share with you on how to improve those specific areas. Participants should be prepared to learn in conditions that are present during the symposium, which could include surf, wind or flat conditions.

Course Level: 2-4

Sculling and Support

If you paddle long enough, you'll soon find yourself in an "unstable" position. Learn how to recover your boat with correct body and blade coordination and have more confidence on the water. Low Recovery, High Recovery, sculling and the static (or balance) brace will be introduced.

Course Level: 2-3

Situation Management

A great course for those who are looking to lead others on the water, or want to improve their leadership skills. Learn how to process situations you'd encounter on the water, from everyday leadership to emergency scenarios. Coaches will emphasize prevention of emergencies through quality leadership and how to handle rescues based on the conditions. Participants should have a good grasp of Basic Rescue Skills to get the most out of this course. We recommend BCU 3 Star Training or equivalent skills for participants of this course.

Course Level: 3-4

Strokes for Wind & Waves

So you can control your boat in calm water, but what happens if the conditions become rough? Learn the strokes to use for both wind and waves, and when to apply them, as we cover bow rudders, low-brace turns, hanging draws, stern runners, support strokes and more. Participants should be prepared to learn in conditions that are present during the symposium, which could include surf, wind or flat conditions.

Course Level: 3-4