Question

Teach me about kayaking for extreme beginners: 1. What is the best two person kayak to buy? 2. What is the easiest dupage river trail to navigate for people who have maybe kayaked twice before, and for kids who are scaredy cats? Thank you in advance!  

Answer 1

Come on over—you can have a quick lesson on our street  

Comments

@energetics3 Fligor Sauri not really funny. But jeez!  

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@scull I know . The Fire Department had to rescue them. The water is much deeper than it looks.  

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@energetics3 Fligor Sauri so scary.  

Answer 2

We have inexpensive kayaks from Menards and use them in the local rivers. We also use them in large inland lakes and they are great. Just a thought.  

Comments

@dressler thank you! Do you have any specific areas you go to?  

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@scull we always put in up River from downtown and floated home since we lived across the street from the DuPage River. We also put in at home amd went south. I'll see if I can find the parks. You might also want to check Costco, they carry kayaks at some pointndiring the year. Be sure to also get life vests since it's law to have one on board.  

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Also, we only use single kayaks.  

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@scull We would put in in this neighborhood.  

Answer 3

We just bought inflatable kayaks, they’re really inexpensive

Comments

@pressroom we bought ours on Amazon recently and they are very nice!  

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@pressroom hi - which brand did you purchase

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@myramyrah  . Haven’t used them yet
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A7EXF4C

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@pressroom just bought 2 of these today! Do you like them?  

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@semiporcelain30524 We haven’t used them yet. Was hoping to this weekend but that didn’t happen

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@pressroom this is a great idea Jen!  

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@magistral68 Would love you kayak with you guys if you end up getting kayaks : )

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@pressroom yes I am considering and going with you! Would be me and Hans

Answer 4

Whalon lake off of Royce road is a nice place to kayak. I would start there.  

Comments

Was going to suggest the same. The water is usually very calm and easier than navigating through high and low spots of the dupage River. There is a kayak launch to the river right by it too, just over the bridge that connects to hidden lakes

Answer 5

We usually get in by the damn behind the McDonald’s on River rd and Ogden and take it all the way to pioneer park.  

Comments

I don’t know the brand we have off the top of my head but we have 2 double kayaks that we bought from dicks.  

Answer 6

Make sure and do not go within 3 days after a storm and maybe look for an experienced kayak group leader. (Just felt the need to say that given the water rescues and drowning the past week)

Answer 7

It’s actually surprisingly easy! We have kid kayaks (up to 120 lbs I think, and about $80 each) we got on amazon, and all the kids are able to use them. We actually have them at my childhood lake place but here I would go on Whalon Lake, Herrick lake, or you could start small and easy at the pond in DT Naperville.  

Comments

Costco had some too. We got our there

Answer 8

Check out the NCTV article they just posted about rescues from the DuPage River! The fire department apparently advises against kayaking on the river

Comments

@razo96 yes-this week it is very dangerous with the high water levels. On a normal day (when water levels and speeds are not so high), kayaking on the river is safe.  

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I am really glad you told me about this. Maybe I will ask the fire department!  

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@razo96 Yes, it’s not safe right now!  

Answer 9

Almost ended our marriage on our honeymoon  

Answer 10

Same boat! Literally. Ha.  

Answer 11

Nisha, there have been several water rescues this week from the Dupage river, some just in town, some were canoeing. One poor girl has still not been found. Definitely wait until water levels have returned to normal.  

Comments

@egression86051 yes I was not planning for now! Trying to get ideas of what to do this summer!  

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@scull I mean it’s pretty scary out there! There was a neighbor who pulled out their canoe earlier and went down the street! Good luck trying it when you get to it, until then maybe Mario party it to see how you all do? Ha!  

Answer 12

@scull. I agree with starting in a lake since your kids are so young. Whalen lake is great. When you do the river, we like to put in just north of Jefferson ave on Stauffer Ave. it’s fun to kayak through downtown and then you could stop at Pioneer Park, Dorothy Weigand Park or even Knoch Knolls. We have a nice two person kayak we got at REI if you want to try it out before you buy.  

Comments

@jenelljenelle we may take your up on it! Thank you!  

Answer 13

@michaeline24 anything you would add?  

Answer 14

If the tandem kayak is for 2 adults, don't and by one. They're called divorce boats for a reason. If for kids, there's many brands. Rent one 1st! Tampier lake or Blackwell. You'll learn so much during that rental. My husband and I have been kayaking for a few years now. If you have any questions feel free to message me. Make sure you have a vest on! (PFD)

Comments

@michaeline24 can an adult and a child fit in a one person kayak? Asking because both of my girls are too scared to go on their own.  

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@scull kindof, maybe age 3-5. A sit on top will give you a little more room for you and maybe 7 yr old with you. But a sit in will have less room. Truthfully, if they are nervous that makes me nervous. Winds can come out of nowhere and paddling gets hard. Having a child upset will make it much worse. Rent 1st. Its a small "boat" that makes many nervous. Stay close to shore to build confidence. Even if you spend $30 renting and 10min on water, that's OK! End that trip on a positive note, then try again another day for 30min! Build their confidence.  

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I like Tampier Lake off of 355. Small lake, calm waters. Whalen lake can get choppy imho, that choppy water will turn people away! I was on a huge lake last year and winds came out of nowhere. It was so scary getting back to shore. Lots of work paddling and I worried about tipping in.