https://lnt.org/blog/understanding-why-why-we-leave-no-trace

Looking for some fun and an opportunity to learn and sharpen your rescue skills?

Join John Chase and Dave Watts at Whalon Lake on Tuesday, July 12 where we will spend a couple hours on the water messing around in, and out of, our boats. We will practice various self and assisted rescue techniques.

Pre-registration is required. Reserve your spot now!

Yep, I'm kind of a geek at heart.  Truth is, you probably are too so I know you're going to love this!

Have you ever found yourself wondering what the water level was for the rivers in your area but you didn't want to have to wade through the data on the USGS website to find out? There is an easier way.

1. Visit your state's USGS page. Here's The Illinois page.

2. Find the gauge for the your favorite river and click on it. Here's the DuPage River near Naperville

3. Just below the charts for streamflow and gague height, you'll see a link to subscribe to Water Alert.

4. From here, you can tell the gauge to email or text you at predetermined intervals with the data you want to receive. 

That's right...the river will text you and tell you what's going on.  Mind blowing cool if you ask me.

That's it for me today. I just got a text. The water is really calling, and I must go.

Prairie State Canoeists is experiencing a great demand for canoe and kayak instructor and we're looking to build our instructor crew to meet the needs of the club and public at large.  

Our area of greatest need at the moment is kayak instruction. PSC is sponsoring an ACA Kayak River Instructor Certification Workshop June 17-19 in Yorkville. 

If you've ever thought about becoming an instructor and sharing your talents to grow better, safer paddlers, this is your chance.  Questions? Contact John Chase at instruction@prairiestatecanoeists.org. 

 

Bow Paddlers Are People Too

Bow Paddlers are People Too :)

One of the negative aspects of canoe tripping is that you're forced to spend time in cramped quarters with another person all day; and even worse, you have to communicate with them if you want to get anywhere. I've even heard some people compare canoeing to that of riding a two-seater bicycle. Maybe that's why kayaking is on the rise (kayakers are just canoeists who never got along with their canoe partner).

Basically, if you don't communicate well with someone, you really shouldn't go canoe tripping with them. Here's usually what happens.  ......

How to do the Carving Off-Side Turn Canoe Stroke

Carving an Offside Turn - Solo Canoe

Just another neat little skill :)

Is your PFD old, fading, torn or doesn't fit anymore? Check out this funny little video from Paddling.NET on 'Choosing a PFD'.  

Choosing a PFD, from Paddling .NET