By:
Tom Bamonte
"Kayak
Dave" Olson, the principal of Kayak Chicago, has been hosting winter pool sessions and classes
at the huge pool at the University of Illinois, Chicago for years. These
pool sessions have been a great way for beginning and expert paddlers alike to
learn new skills and polish old ones. In addition to the classes, there
are always friendly paddlers ready to offer you advice and encouragement. Over
the years hundreds of paddlers have gotten their start--and some their roll--at
the classes taught by Dave and his assistants. Dave offers these details
on this year's edition of UIC pool sessions:
The
pool sessions will begin on Wednesday, December 2, and run every Wednesday
night from 7-9:30pm at the UIC pool in Chicago. There will be no
pools sessions on February 24 and March 3 due to swim meets.
The
pool is located at 901 West Roosevelt Road, close to the expressways and public
transportation. There is parking on nearby streets and in a pay lot across the
street.
Open
pool is $15/session. You can rent a boat for $10/session. Sea
kayaks and whitewater kayaks are available. (Contact Dave to reserve a boat or call (630)
336-7245.)
Open
pool session are open to all paddlers, from beginners who want to practice
what they have learned in a class to advanced paddlers who want to refine
their roll, practice rescues or just hang out and paddle with friends. Paddlers
are always around to help and critique or just talk about paddling adventures.
There are 24 pool sessions this year. A open pool session season pass is available for $200. Pool classes are structured in a 4-week progression consisting of Introduction to Kayaking, Intermediate Skills and Techniques and a two-part Eskimo Roll class. Classes can be done individually for $50 each or all four classes for $180. (Dave also hosts kids groups on occasion, which really adds to the energy level.)
You
can access the class schedule and register for classes on-line here. Classes start on December 2. Gift certificates for classes are a nice gift for the holidays.
See
you all at the pool,
Happy Holidays
Dave Olson
Kayak
Chicago
