Your first outing as a member of the Chicago Kayak Club
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You must wear a life vest, fully secured, anytime you are out on the water.
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You must have completed the full Intro to Kayaking
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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.
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When arriving at an outing, you must be there a minimum of 30 minutes before the posted launch time.
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If you are using your own boat - for Lake Michigan kayaking outings, you must have bulkheads and proper floatation.
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You must be properly dressed during cold water paddling events - no cotton! Wetsuits or drysuits in early spring and fall.
Paddling with a Group - getting started with the Chicago Kayak Club
This information is for members of our club. All members must rsvp with a minimum of 24 hours in advance and wear a life jacket while on the water. All members must be appropriately dressed. Check out our Class FAQ which discusses what to wear. All list minute changes or cancellations are posted to our e-mail group. If you are not on it, please join at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chicagokayak/
Launch Times - arrive early!
When a time is posted on the schedule, that is for the most part, the Launch Time (some day trips it is the departure time for driving) For our trips in Chicago, prepare to be at the launch site a minimum of 30 prior to departure. This gives you time to prepare your boat, stow your gear, adjust your footpegs, dress, use the bathroom and carry boats to the entry point.
Everyone helps everyone else carry boats and
get ready. Offering a helping hand to other members is much
appreciated! We work as a team to get ready to depart on time.
If you are not there by 10 prior to launch time, you will be unable to
attend.
Things that can help: Plan plenty of time to get to the launch,
know the area, have maps with you. Bring our cell number 224.659.0754 so
you can call if lost.
Remember, many of our members may leave work early to get there
on time or drive a long distance to get to our outings.
Please respect all members by being on time. It is unfair to have people
waiting around, who have done their part by arriving on time.
Right before we launch, we do introductions. Let everyone
know your name, what safety gear you are carrying, and your experience
level. This helps everyone be more prepared out on the water.
Staying
together
While out on the kayaking trip, stay with the group and
understand that the group moves only as fast as the slowest
kayaker. If the group is moving too
slowly for you, practice your
support
and turning strokes and take a meandering course as you wait
for the rear of the group.
Most groups have lead and sweep kayakers: stay between them for your safety. The lead kayaker is picking the route that the group will follow. Those at the front of the group should always be within shouting distance of the paddlers at the rear. When crossing boat channels the group must stay very close together. This makes it easier for the operators of larger craft to see and avoid the group. In the crossing, you should push if you are a slower paddler or slow down if you are a faster paddler.
Group kayaking is fun if everyone helps each other. If you see someone having trouble, try to help. Watch the leader and learn for another time. Good leaders have reasons for almost everything they do. Ask questions they'll be glad to explain.
Landing
When we come back to the starting point, try to leave your gear
on you (pfd, skirt) and put your paddle in your boat. This helps
us keep everything together so nothing gets left behind, it also
helps reduce the number of trips that we make back and forth. If
you must take off gear before walking back to the trailer,
please also store this in the cockpit of the kayak.
Putting it on the ground lets it collect more sand and dirt
which then end up in the truck, and increases the chances of
gear being left behind.
Help each
other carry and bring all items to the truck and trailer. Once
we are by the truck, Usually one person collects paddles,
another will lash together pfd's and still another will do
skirts. A few people, working together, can bring boats to the
trailer. Working together this takes us about 5 minutes - really
quick!
DO NOT STAND ON THE TRAILER, EVER!!
What to do with your stuff
Store gear bags, clothing, towels, etc, in your vehicle or in
your drybags in your kayak. If you take public transport, or
ride your bike, you can use our truck.. If you rode a bike you
can lock it to the trailer.
Ride Shares
Many times we have members who live close to each other that can
share rides. Saves gas money, but more importantly, it
saves gas! On longer day trips, we usually meet at my
house and then head out in a caravan from there. Need a
ride? Post to our yahoo e-mail list. You can also
post if you can give someone a ride.
Gas Money for the Trailer
Member dues are not enough to cover this, so helping with these
expenses will ensure member dues remain where they are.
Most outings are local and free. If we have to drive more
than two hours round trip, we do require participants to help
out with the expense of getting the kayaks to and from the
outings. Fees, if any are listed on the club calendar,
next to the event.
Fiberglass
boats get first pick from our volunteers, after
that, members who have shown they can take care of
them
will be allowed to use them. If you have mistreated
a fiberglass boat in the past, you will not be able
to use one
on in the future.
Tips from Chicago Kayak Club Members
Experiences from
other members about their Lake MI paddling experiences
From Nate- his first time on Lake MI
As a kayaker who really first experienced Lake Michigan for the first
time this
summer I wanted to share an experience with the group.
On the 4th of July I went on the outing from Illinois Beach State Park
to
Wisconsin and back. I had been out on lake once before and felt
confident. I
choose the Eclipse as I had used the boat before on the lagoons. When I
got out
on the lake we had about one foot waves, in which I felt a little tippy
but
thought I just needed to get used to the lake. I would realize latter
the
constant hip motion wore me down.
Everything was fine until we turned around to come back. While heading
north we
paddled into the waves which allowed you to see them coming and adjust
for them.
Coming back south we had "following waves" - this means you cannot see
them and
they bump you from odd angles.
Shortly after turning south I became unable to keep stable and I rolled.
The
water was cold, not freezing but I was very glad I was wearing a
wetsuit.
Luckily we had some great club members with us and we did a T rescue and
got
going again... I lasted about 30 minutes and rolled again.
All in all I rolled five times and in the end I walked back the last
mile to the
put in site and Cynthia towed my kayak back.
Attributing Factors:The kayak I took was not of sufficient volume and
width for a person my size(6'2", 250lbs) Guys have A lot more mass above
the deck that women do - thus we need more stable boats to compensate
for it.
On the leg north I wore myself out constantly correcting the tippyness
of the
boat - thus when we turned south I was fatigued and was unable to
compensate for
the following waves.
Luckily it was a warm day and we had calm waters - the outcome could
have been a
lot worse. If simply I had not been wearing the wetsuit I would have
most
likely become slightly hypothermic and would have had difficulty helping
in my
own rescue. If the waves had been just a little higher I might not have
been
able to get back in my kayak on the first, second, third, and fourth
attempts -
then I would have been walking upwards of 4 miles, assuming I could have
gotten
back to shore without exhausting myself. If I had an injury - a bad
knee,
elbow, shoulder etc.. I would have been very hampered in my own rescue
and
possibly been a danger to others.
The moral I ask everyone to take from this story is to respect the Lake
and any
large body of water - IT IS NOT THE LAGOONS - there are no waves on the
lagoons,
the water is warm. Just because you have done three paddles at the
lagoons does
not mean you are ready for the lake. Did you just paddle around the
lagoons or
did you actively work on your stamina, hip snap, t rescue, and paddle
stroke
efficiency?
I respected the Lake before this experience but have a much greater
respect now.
Please learn from others' experiences - your bad experience may not be
as
forgiving as mine.
From Goldie Cold Water Rescues
I thought I was prepared! I had the correct clothing for the water temperature on Lake Michigan. I was wearing a Farmer Jane wetsuit, specifically one designed for paddlers. I had my lifejacket on and neoprene booties. It was a calm day and I was attending a club outing where the goal was to practice cold water rescues. Even though a paddler is ready physically for cold water rescues/paddling, you need to practice it so you can be prepared for your response. I found out that I have a lower threshold to the cold water compared to other paddlers-almost to the point of cold water immersion shock. I get disoriented and have difficulty breathing in cold water-no matter what I am wearing. Now I know to always share that at the pre-paddle meetings prior to any cold water paddle. Luckily, I was with a group of experienced paddlers when it happened the first time I practiced in cold water so I can prepare mentally and let others know. One of the members calmed me down and quickly got me back in the boat. Now I am prepared mentally and let my fellow paddlers know what to expect. Preparation involves practice as well as attire in cold water.
From M. - My first scheduled paddle on Lake Michigan didn't occur ! It was a paddle on Leone Beach in the morning. I rushed down but did not check e-mail first. The paddle had been cancelled due to rough water. However, all was not lost. That is when I met Chris S. We had a great chat.
I can't recall the first time I was actually on the water. I've never been sick on the latke and have not had trouble with balance. When the wave are high, it is always a challenge to launch. You need to get in quick and start paddling. It is always a decision as to whether you can take the time to secure the skirt first. If other individuals are helping you launch it is a good idea. Otherwise, I'd try to launch and then pump out after I pass the surf.
I was a bit surprised at how easy it is to tip when landing in big waves. You don't see the wave coming. My advice is to land quickly and be prepared to jump out. You need to grab your boat when you jump out so the waves don't push it around.
I was never worried about being in the water or getting back in the boat. However, tight spray skirts make me nervous. I don't see that changing. My first purchase was the mystery hat.
From Bill R
Most of my Lake Michigan experiences have been enjoyable. My first time out, I did start to feel a little queasy & got myself out as quickly as possible. A valuable lesson, since now I usually take a few ginger pills before I go out on the lake, just in case!
On a few occasions I have been out, whether through my own decision or somebody elses', when we shouldn't have. Nobody has had any serious injury, this is usually because of luck! The Great Lakes (like the oceans) are unforgiving.
Some people rush to get their 3 lagoon paddles done, so they can "get out on the lake", showing up partially/completely unprepared. Whether dressed inappropriately, little or no safety equipment, no food or water, or something else.
For some, their first Lake Michigan experience might be like paddling on a sheet of glass. For others, 4-5 foot waves, & 15 knot winds. I have seen both.
Reading things on the web-site, your local library, asking more experienced kayakers, getting as much practise as possible on calm water, common sense; these all basic things to do.
Remember: Water gives us life, but can also take it away quite easily!