Courses
Kayak & Sea Kayak Courses
- GKC L1(K) – Introduction to Kayaking
- GKC L2(K) – Beginner Kayaking
- GKC L3(K) – Coastal Kayak Immersion Weekend
- GKC L4(K) – Open Water Kayak Immersion Weekend*
- Rough Water Sea Kayak Handling 2 Weekend*
- Rough Water Sea Kayak Handling 3* (Coming in Fall 2010!)
- GKC L1(C) – Introduction to Canoeing
- GKC L2(C) – Basic River Canoeing
- GKC L3(C) – Moving Water Canoe Immersion Weekend
- GKC L1 (WW) – Introduction to WW & Rolling
- GKC L2 (WW) - Moving Water
- GKC L3 (WW) - Whitewater Immersion Weekend
- ACA Swiftwater Rescue
- ACA L1/L2 Instructor Development & Certification
- ACA L3/L4 Instructor Development & Certification
- ACA L5 Instructor Certification Workshop
- BCU Foundation Safety & Rescue Training
- BCU Coach 1
- BCU Coach 2
- BCU 2* Assessment
- BCU 3* Assessment
- Rolling
- Stroke Refinement
- Rescues
- Custom Tours
Courses
The Geneva Kayak Center offers a full range of kayaking courses... from beginners wondering if the sport is for them to novices learning effective strokes; from intermediate paddlers aspiring to develop seamanship and rough water handling skills to advanced paddlers seeking awards and coaching certifications. We offer a complete range of instruction, awards and certification in the sport of kayaking through the ACA and BCU. We also offer supplemental courses such as beginner and advanced rough water, roll classes, pool sessions and clinics covering different aspects of the sport. Most importantly, we haven’t forgotten what kayaking is supposed to be about — FUN! Our courses reflect that.Our coaches love to paddle and hope to open up the world of kayaking to you! Holding both American Canoe Association (ACA) and British Canoe Union (BCU) certifications, these coaches use innovative and fun methods of learning in our training offerings. Many of our coaches are regarded as the best in the area and are published in magazines such as Sea Kayaker. They care about your safety and learning progression and will help you have fun out on the water!
Geneva Kayak Center courses
Kayak & Sea Kayak Courses
GKC L1(K) – Introduction to Kayaking
Our most popular class, designed for the novice who is interested in kayaking but has limited or no experience in a boat.
Dates & More Details »
GKC L2(K) – Beginner Kayaking
This full day course, designed for beginner paddlers, is a fun day of instruction focused on building a solid foundation of strokes, re-entries, safety and knowledge. Prepares students for the ACA L2 or BCU 2* (kayaking portion) Skills Assessments.
Dates & More Details »
GKC L3(K) – Coastal Kayak Immersion Weekend
The Coastal Kayak Immersion Weekend focuses on intermediate strokes and maneuvers, rescues, towing, navigation, safety and awareness for paddling on the coast. Prepares paddles for the ACA L3 Coastal or BCU 3* Sea Skills Assessments.
Rough Water Sea Kayak Handling 1
Improve your kayaking skills and confidence for paddling in waves, wind & swell.
Dates & More Details »
GKC L4(K) – Open Water Kayak Immersion Weekend*
Learn skills for paddling open water day and journeys. Advanced maneuvers, open water navigation, rough water handling, rescues, leadership, risk management & more!
Rough Water Sea Kayak Handling 2 Weekend*
Introduction to paddling sea kayaks in current intended for those who would like to improve their boat handling skills and prepare for paddling in tidal currents.
Dates & More Details »
Rough Water Sea Kayak Handling 3* (Coming in 2011!)
Join us for training in Rock Gardening, tidal race & overfall play, and ocean paddling skills.
Skill Development
Skills Sessions & Workshops
Join us on Tuesday evenings during the paddling season for skills workshops. Skills include the forward stroke, rolling, bracing & more. During the “off-season”, look for indoor workshops including kayak repair.
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Winter Pool Sessions
Pool sessions are a great way to learn or hone kayaking skills including rolls, rescues and bracing.
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*Destination Course held outside of the Chicago area.
Canoe Courses
GKC L1(C) – Introduction to Canoeing
Designed for the novice who is interested in paddling canoes but has limited or no experience in a boat, or more experienced paddlers who would like to learn and refresh proper paddling skills.
GKC L2(C) – Basic River Canoeing
Learn basic strokes and maneuvers with an introduction to moving water during this instructional day trip down the DuPage River.
GKC L3(C) – Moving Water Canoe Immersion Weekend
Run class II-II+ rapids with skill and confidence as we focus on maneuvers including ferry glides, eddy turns, peel outs, attainments and surfing in faster moving water. We’ll also work rolling your canoe during this 2 day weekend on Northern Wisconsin’s Wolf or Flambeau Rivers.
Whitewater Kayak Courses (Coming Soon)
GKC L1 (WW) – Introduction to WW & Rolling
Whitewater I is designed to introduce paddlers to whitewater kayaks and basic paddling strokes/maneuvers & rolling in modern whitewater boats.
Dates & More Details »
GKC L2 (WW) - Moving Water
Whitewater II moves the participant from flatwater onto moving water. We’ll focus on strokes and maneuvers in Class I+ current.
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GKC L3 (WW) - Whitewater Immersion Weekend
Whitewater Immersion Weekend focuses on developing solid whitewater fundamentals in Class II Rapids.
Dates & More Details »
ACA Swiftwater Rescue
Whether you want to be more confident and have a higher level of safety while paddling whitewater or you are in a leadership postion looking for advanced rescue techiniques for canoes, kayaks & rafts, the Geneva Kayak Center offers both basic and advanced ACA Swiftwater rescue courses.
ACA/BCU Certification & Awards
www.americancanoe.org
ACA L1/L2 Instructor Development & Certification
Intro to Kayak & Essentials of Kayak Touring
Dates & More Details »
ACA L3/L4 Instructor Development & Certification
Coastal Kayak & Open Water Kayak
Dates & More Details »
ACA L5 Instructor Certification Workshop
Advanced Open Water Kayak Certification
Dates & More Details »
www.bcuna.com
BCU Foundation Safety & Rescue Training
This full day class, held in sheltered water, will introduce you to a wide range of deep-water rescue techniques for solo and group paddlers in both canoes and kayaks.
BCU Coach 1
BCU Coach 2
BCU 2* Assessment
BCU 3* Assessment
Private Instruction & Custom Programs
* Rolling
* Stroke Refinement
* Rescues
* Custom Tours
Photo courtesy of Lori Donovan