Prairie State Canoeists
A Northeast Illinois Canoe and Kayak Club
PSC follows current Illinois State COVID guidelines.
Note: If more than one person from your family is attending a trip, please register them separately so that the Trip Leader can have an accurate count of attendees.
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023 Leader: Tom Croak Location: El Barrio Restaurant, 1122 Diamond Lake Road, Mundelein, IL
(847) 566-0475 Details: PSC February Social 2023
Cash Bar: 5:30 p.m. Pay individually.
Supper: 6:30 p.m. Order individually from the menu. We expect to pay individually for supper.
We will have a semi-private room on the balcony overlooking the main floor.
Directions:
The restaurant is on Diamond Lake Road, between Route 60/83 and Route 45.
Please contact Tom Croak at paddler6@earthlink.net or 847-948-8794 by January 30, 2023 so we can provide a count for the restaurant.
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023
Leader: Co-Leader:
Location: Vernon Hills High School
Skill Level: Everyone
Category: training, skills
Details: Bring your own boat or rent one on site.
The cost is $10 per person.
Boat & equipment rental is $5.
Families of 3 or more with boat rental is $30.
No formal instruction is provided.
If you bring your own boat, please make sure that it is very, very clean before putting it into the pool. We do not want to get the facility dirty.
A lifeguard will be on duty at all times. No advanced registration is necessary.
Date: Sunday, February 5, 2023
Location: Naperville North High School
Details: There is a pool use fee of $15 which needs to be paid to the High School and a waiver signed. Please bring exact change in cash. Old school whitewater kayaks and paddles are available to rent for $5.
This is open pool time for practicing various skills and does not include any formal classes or lessons.
The NNHS pool is a great facility with a HUGE remodeled square 12-lane pool. It includes a 12- foot deep area suitable for sea kayak rescue practice. There is also a large 3.5 foot deep area suitable for the practicing skills such as Wet Exits, Eskimo Rescues and Eskimo Rolls
Please make sure your boat is clean INSIDE and OUT, ensuring there is no debris such as leaves or mud remaining inside the boat. There should be a hose near the diving boards to rinse boats.
Naperville North High School is located at the SW corner of Ogden and Mill streets in Naperville. The pool entrance is at the northwest corner of the NNHS building – where the building is closest to Ogden Avenue.
Date: Sunday, February 12, 2023
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023
Date: Sunday, February 19, 2023
Date: Sunday, February 26, 2023
Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023
Date: Sunday, March 5, 2023
Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023
Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023
Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Leader: Susan AllmanCo-Leader: Steve LaPorteLocation: Cherry ValleySkill Level: BeginnerCategory: Day tripDetails: This is the first Wednesday trip of the year. We will begin at Baumann Park in Cherry Valley. Depending on weather & water conditions this could be a 5 mile trip or 9 mile trip. TBD. Bring lunch, water, PFD, and dress appropriately for the water & weather. Car shift 9:30. Launch time 10:30. Contact trip leader for more details.
Date: Saturday, April 15, 2023 Leader: Ray Ziemer Co-Leader: Steve LaPorte Location: West Branch Dupage, St. Charles Rd. - Blackwell FP Skill Level: Beginner, depending on conditions. Category: Day Trip Details:Join us for a fun trip on the upper reach of the West Branch, where the stream is narrow and twisty (with rocks and riffles depending on the water level). We will paddle miles through Timber Ridge, Winfield Mounds, West Branch Woods and Blackwell Forest Preserves. And for lunch... Soup! Contact trip leaders for details.
Date(s): Wednesday, April 26, 2023 Leader: Steve LaPorte Co-Leader: Sue Allman Location: Northeast Illinois Skill Level: Beginner Category: Day Trip
Details: We will be paddling the DesPlaines River from Russell Rd. to Wadsworth Rd. This section is peaceful and scenic, and is appropriate for anyone, regardless of skill level.
Contact the trip leader for information.
Initial sign-up must be done through this page, but all updates will be done by personal e-mail from one of the trip leaders.
I ask that all paddlers sign up. Please do not invite a guest without signing him or her up through the website.
Date(s): Wednesday, May 10, 2023 Leader: Steve LaPorte Co-Leader: Sue Allman Location: West Branch of the DuPage River (St. Charles Rd. to Mack Rd.) Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Category: Day Trip
Details: We will be paddling the DuPage River from St. Charles Rd. to Mack Rd. This section is peaceful and scenic, but it is narrow and may have obstructions that you will need to maneuver or portage around. This trip is appropriate for anyone who has reliable paddling skills.
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023
Leader: Marlene Bertolozzi
Location: Busse Lake
Skill Level: Beginner
Category: Instruction
Details: This ACA-developed curriculum will teach you the basics of paddling your kayak. Instructors will guide you on:
Fitting yourself and your gear comfortably and safely in your boat
Understanding essential gear and it's use
Techniques to effectively and efficiently paddle your craft in all directions skillfully on calm protected waters.
Pricing: $30 for PSC members, $50 for non-PSC members
Participants will need to bring their own boat, paddle, PFD, snacks, lunch, and all personal items. Instructors will contact participants prior to the event with special instructions or equipment needs.
ACA membership is required for participation. You will be asked to purchase a $10 one-day membership or supply your ACA member number at checkout.
Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023 Leader: Ray Ziemer Location: West Branch Dupage River Skill Level: Beginner Category: Cleanup Details: Join us on the West Branch of the DuPage for the annual clean-up, sponsored by the Conservation Foundation and others. We join citizens on the water and on the shore to collect trash and help maintain the beauty of the DuPage. 9:00 -12:00, specific location TBD. All ages, all boats!
Car shift: 8:30
Launch: 9:00
Date: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 Leader: Steve LaPorte Co-Leader: Sue Allman Location: West Chicago (Mack Rd to McDowell Grove) Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Category: Day Trip
Details: We will be paddling the West Branch from Mack Rd. to McDowell Grove. This section is scenic and has some riffles, and is appropriate for anyone who has basic paddling skills.
Date: Sunday, May 28, 2023
Leader: Marlene Bertolozzi Location: DuPage River, Shorewood, Il. Skill Level: Advanced BeginnerCategory: Instruction
Details:This class will teach basic moving water skills that every river kayaker should know. Students will build on the skills learned in the Introduction to Paddling class, and will learn such river skilld as upstream ferries, downstream ferries, eddy turns and peel outs.
Students will also receive instruction on reading the river and recognizing hazards such as strainers (downed trees) and foot entrapment.
PREREQUISITE: Students must have completed the PSC Introduction to Paddling class. If you have not attended the PSC Introduction to Kayaking class, you must arrange with the instructor before signing up.
Pricing:
$30 for PSC members, $50 for non-PSC members
ACA membership is required for participation. You will be asked to purchase a $10 one-day membership or provide your membership number.
Date(s): Wednesday, June 7, 2023 Leader: Susan Allman Co-Leader: Steve LaPorte Location: Rt. 64 (Sycamore) Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Category: Day trip Details: This is the first section in a series of trips along the Kishwaukee River South Branch. This part is rarely paddled and has a rural feel. It will be a 9 mile paddle. Bring water, lunch, PFD, and dress appropriately for the water & weather. Car shift 9:30. Launch time 10:30. Contact trip leader for more details.
Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Leader: Susan Allman
Co-Leader: Steve LaPorte Location: Baseline Road to Kingston Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Category: Day trip Details: A lovely section of the Kishwaukee River South Branch through farms & forest. It is a 9 mile paddle. We will stop for lunch at Citizens Park in Genoa. Bring a drink, lunch, PFD, and dress appropriately for the water & weather. Car shift 9:30. Launch time 10:30. Contact trip leader for more details.
Date: Wednesday, July 5, 2023 Leader: Susan Allman Co-Leader: Steve LaPorte Location: Kingston (to Kirkland) Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Category: Day trip Details: This is the final section of the Kishwaukee River South Branch series. It is about a 9 mile paddle. Bring water, lunch, PFD, and dress appropriately for the water & weather. Car shift 9:30. Launch time 10:30. Contact trip leader for more details.
Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2023 Leader: Steve LaPorte Co-Leader: Sue Allman Location: Sugar River (Nelson Rd. to Two Rivers) Skill Level: Beginner Category: Day Trip
Details: We will be paddling the Sugar River from Nelson Rd. to Two Rivers. This section is peaceful and scenic, and is appropriate for anyone, regardless of skill level.
Date(s): 7/21/2023 through 7/23/2023 Leader: Steve LaPorte
Co-Leader: Keith McClow Location: Wisconsin River Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Category: River camping Details:
Come join us for our annual four-river trip on the Kickapoo River, the Wisconsin River, the Mississippi River and the Wyalusing Canoe Trail in southwestern Wisconsin. In one weekend, you will paddle a narrow, meandering river (Kickapoo), a wide recreational river (Wisconsin), a maritime superhighway (Mississippi), and lush bayou (Wyalusing backwaters). The put-in will depend on the condition of the Kickapoo River, but in no case will this trip be rated above “advanced beginner”. We plan to camp on sandbars on the Wisconsin River, but by Saturday night we will be in an area of the river where the sandbars are covered when the river is high. I have reserved a campsite at Wyalusing State Park for 7/22/21, just in case we can’t camp on the river that night. I recommend that anyone else who wants to join us do the same, and do it soon since Wyalusing is a very popular park. (If you waited too long and Wyalusing is full, you can still come. There are other campgrounds in the area, and Victora Park always has room in the primitive camping field, east of the boat ramp.)
Information will be provided to anyone interested.
This trip is river camping, and is rated advanced beginner skill level. PFD & Lunch Required
Contact Trip Leader, Steve LaPorte for more information.
slaporte2000@gmail.com 630-665-5707
Date: Wednesday, August 2, 2023 Leader: Steve LaPorte Co-Leader: Sue Allman Location: Glacial Park Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Category: Day Trip
Details: We will be paddling Nippersink Creek from Glacial Park to Lyle Thomas Park. This section is scenic with a few riffles, and is appropriate for anyone who has reasonable paddling skills.
Date(s): 8/7/2023 through 8/11/2023 Leader: Steve LaPorte
Co-Leader: Keith McClow Location: Namekagon River Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Category: River camping Details:
If you ever wanted to paddle the Namekagon when it wasn’t jammed with party animals, this might be just what you’re looking for. We will be doing two day trips between Hayward and Trego, then doing a three day river camping trip on the usual section. The upper section has some mild rapids, so good boat control will be required. This trip is base/river camping, and is rated advanced beginner skill level. PFD & Lunch Required
Date: Wednesday, August 16, 2023 Leader: Susan Allman Co-Leader: Steve LaPorte Location: County Line Road (Garden Prairie to Belvidere) Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Category: Day trip Details: This is the "up north" section of the Kishwaukee River. It is about an 8 mile paddle with a little of everything; straight, curves, ripples, and possible downfall. Must have good boat control. Bring water, lunch, PFD, and dress appropriately for the water & weather. Car shift 9:30. Launch time 10:30. Contact trip leader for more details.
Date: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 Leader: Steve LaPorte Co-Leader: Sue Allman Location: Shopiere, Wisconsin Skill Level: Beginner Category: Day Trip Details: We will be paddling Turtle Creek from O’Riley Rd. to County Hwy. J. This section is scenic, and is appropriate for anyone, regardless of skill level.
Date(s): 9/6/2023 through 9/10/2023 Leader: Steve LaPorte
Co-Leader: Keith McClow Location: Wisconsin River Skill Level: Beginner Category: River camping Details:
If you wanted to take a river trip over the Labor Day weekend but were unable to, this trip is just what you need. (People who paddled on Labor Day are welcome, too.) All the liveries know that the weekend after Labor Day is the deadest weekend of the season, so we can expect to have the Wisconsin River to ourselves. This is a four day trip for those who can get a couple of days off work, and a weekend trip for those who can’t. We will meet at Arena in the afternoon of 9/6/22 and take two days to paddle down to Muscoda. On 9/9/22 we will pick up the weekenders in Muscoda and paddle two more days down to Woodman.
This trip is river camping, and is appropriate for any skill level. PFD & Lunch Required
Date(s): 9/17/2023 through 9/23/2023 Leader: Steve LaPorte
Co-Leader: Don Gray Location: Current River (possibly others) Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Category: Base camping Details:
Come join us for a week of paddling in the Ozarks. We plan to paddle the Current River from Cedargrove to Two Rivers, plus possibly sections of the Jacks Fork and the Eleven Point. If river levels go up, more options may become available.
We plan to arrive on September 16th. Paddling days will be the 17th through the 23rd. We will break camp on the 24th. We will be base camping at Round Spring, located on Rt. 19 just north of Eminence, MO. Information will be provided to anyone interested.
PFD & Lunch Required
Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Leader: Susan AllmanCo-Leader: Steve LaPorte
Location: Belvidere to Cherry Valley Skill Level: Advanced BeginnerCategory: Day tripDetails: This section of the Kishwaukee River can have downfall and swift current so good boat skills are required. It will be an 8 mile paddle. Bring water, lunch, PFD, and dress appropriately for the water & weather. Car shift 9:30.
Launch time: 10:30. Contact trip leader for more details.
Date(s): Friday, September 29, 2023 Leader: Keith McClow Location: Pierce Lake in Rock Cut State Park, Loves Park, IL Skill Level: Beginner Category: Day Paddle Details: Paddling under the full moon on Lake Pierce Friday night September 29 2023. We will meet at the campground boat launch at 6pm. We will paddle the lake while the sun sets and as the moon comes up over the trees. Boats must have some lights or glow sticks; there are small power boats on the lake. The park closes at 10pm so plan to pack up and be out by 10pm, or you can get a campsite and stay the night. I will be camping, so anyone who would like to join me can gather around the campfire after the paddling is done.
Requirements: PFD
Date: Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Leader: Susan AllmanCo-Leader: Steve LaPorteLocation: Cherry ValleySkill Level: BeginnerCategory: Day tripDetails: This is the last Wednesday trip of the year. The trip will be from Baumann Park in Cherry Valley to Atwood Park. It will be a 9 mile trip. We will stop for lunch. Bring water, lunch, PFD (must be worn on the river), and dress appropriately for the water & weather. Car shift 9:30. Launch time 10:30. Contact trip leader for more details.