INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

ACA -The American Canoe Association provides a complete curriculum of canoe and kayak instruction. They are also the primary trainers of canoe and kayak instructors.

USCA - The USCA offers a Basic Canoeing Instruction program to build paddling skills for the beginner and novice paddler taught by USCA certified Instructors.


WITHIN ILLINOIS

Chicago Kayak Club -offers kayak instruction: introduction, intermediate, cold water paddling, advance rescues, woman's and kids programs

Chicago River Canoe and Kayak -beginner lessons on the Chicago River and North Shore Channel

Chicago Whitewater Association -provides winter pool instruction followed by instruction on rivers, members only

College of DuPage Field and Experiential Learning -beginning to intermediate kayak and canoe instruction

Evanston Environmental Association -offers introductory canoeing lessons for individuals and families with children on the North Shore Channel and Skokie Lagoons

Friends Of The Chicago River - offers trips with beginners instruction before each trip.  Also holds a "Learn To Paddle" event for the Chicago Park District ever year.

Geneva Kayak -provides a full range of kayak instruction and tours 

Great Lakes Kayak - offer safety classes and instruction by supporting and working with local community organizations

H2Go Kayaking -provides a full range of kayak instruction

Kayak Chicago -offers a wide variety of Kayak instruction and tours.

Lake County Forest Preserves -has ACA Certified Canoe and Kayak Instruction

Lincoln Park Boat Club -the oldest facility in Chicago that provides boats, classes, and a range of competitive training opportunities for men's and women's rowing, sculling and kayaking

Northwest Passage -provides sea kayaking instruction and trips in Lake Michigan and around he world.

Offshore Marine -offers recreational/touring clinics starting in May, locations north shore inland water and Lincoln Park Boat Club lagoon in Chicago.

Open Pool at University of Illinois -great place to meet other paddlers and practice skills.

Paddle and Trail, Ltd -canoe and kayak instruction

Prairie State Canoeists -one of the largest canoeing clubs in the Midwest offers a large number of trips, including paddling instruction, members only.

USCA - The USCA offers a Basic Canoeing Instruction program to build paddling skills for the beginner and novice paddler taught by USCA certified Instructors.

OUTSIDE ILLINOIS

Rutabaga Madison, Wisconsin -has an extensive paddling program for all kinds of craft, at all different levels, including specialty classes for kids.

Laacke & Joy's in Milwaukee: Extensive instructional program
http://www.laackean djoys.com/ paddle_classes. htm

Sherri Mertz' site: Offers instruction
http://www.sherrika yaks.com/

Supreme WaterSports LLC, Madison & Milwaukee, Wisconsin -instruction, trips, camps, rentals, certifications course at all skill levels.

Wolf River Guides, White Lake, Wisconsin -whitewater kayak and canoe school
715-882-3002

THE ABOVE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE AN
ENDORSEMENT FOR ANY ORGANIZATION LISTED. THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED AS A SERVICE
FOR PADDLERS ONLY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.