Enjoy guided kayak paddles on the Fox River

Tour our local waterways by kayak with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County!

The kayaking series begins with a lake-based, basic paddling skills class, followed by shorter and less-strenuous river sessions.

As the summer progresses, choose increasingly 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.

Afterward, participants will take to the water for a naturalist-led exploration of the fascinating local ecology. Participants meet and park at the take-out location and are shuttled to the put-in location.

Participants may choose any number of sessions; you can take one, two or all six.

For all sessions, participants must be 16 years or older and able to:

1. Hold breath under water while wearing a properly fitted life jacket;

2. Independently turn from a face-down to a face-up position, keeping head above water;

3. Effectively communicate with the instructor and other participants; and,

4. Manage all mobility and personal care independently, or with the assistance of a companion.

The first session will offer novice skills training from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 1. The paddle, which will be less than a mile, will begin at Oakhurst Forest Preserve, 1680 Fifth Ave., Aurora.

The second session will be a beginner four-mile paddle from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at Fox River Shores Forest Preserve, 716 Williams Road in Carpentersville.

The third session for beginners and intermediate will include a 4- to 5-mile paddle on Sunday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve, 50 Airport Road in Elgin.

The fourth session for intermediates will feature 5.5 miles with portage on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora.

The fifth session for intermediates will go 6 miles and include a picnic lunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Fox River Shores Forest Preserve, 716 Williams Road in Carpentersville.

The final session for intermediates will feature 5.5 miles with portage on Sunday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McCullough Park, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora.

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 $89 per person for Sessions 2-6.

If you provide your own kayak and equipment, the fee is $45 per person, per session, for sessions 2-6. 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.

To register, visit www.kaneforest.com/register. Rain will not stop a paddle, but trips may be canceled (with full refund) due to lightning, low air/water temps, or unsafe water levels.

For more information, visit www.kaneforest.com or find the Forest Preserve District on social media by searching @forestpreserve.