Cardio kayak classes are a great way to get an amazing workout and being on the river surrounded by nature, always made me feel as if I was on vacation. I have seen snapping turtles, various types of birds, deer, spawning catfish, definitely a hidden gem. The staff at Chicago River Canoe & Kayak are friendly, very knowledgeable and always happy to answer questions. Come on out, join a cardio kayak class, and experience an amazing workout!
-FC
Participants are being fitted as they practice the proper stroke techniques of kayaking, prior to getting into the water.
Cardio Kayak Classes
For a great workout in a soothing natural setting that will make you forget the urban landscape for an hour or two, where can a Chicago police officer go?
How about half a block from the old Belmont District headquarters? You can count on seeing great blue herons and turtles and sometimes even a coyote or a beaver on the Chicago River, flowing just west of Belmont & Campbell.
Richard Clark Park, a short way north at 3400 N. Rockwell, is named to honor an officer who died in the line of duty. My business, Chicago River Canoe & Kayak, offers rentals there, and runs a program called Cardio Kayaking, a once/week exercise group.
We’ve had a number of CPD officers in our Cardio groups over the years, including our blog-host here at FITNESSCOP. One season, we had 6 officers coming every Wednesday evening for several months, and we felt we were the safest group ever to paddle the river, rivaled only by a summer camp that showed up with Malia Obama and her Secret Service team.
The Cardio Kayak program starts with a lesson the first evening, which takes place mostly on the water after a brief intro to strokes on land. We focus on proper technique to help you get a more complete workout. Many beginner paddlers pull only with their arms, which gets them moving, but they quickly tire. We teach torso rotation, pulling with shoulder muscles and lower back, pushing off the foot-pedals with the balls of the feet, leaning forward and back at the waist. Kayaking is a great core workout if done properly, and you’ll have a lot more stamina. Your abdominals are going to get you a lot further than your biceps.
After the opening night lesson, you paddle with the group or independently as you choose. We have lead and sweep boats for safety, and we’ll continue to give pointers if you want them, but you can set your own pace.
The class is normally $80 for a 4-week session, (reduced to $50 for returnees who’ve already taken the class once). We’ll extend a 20% discount to Chicago Police Department officers and other staff who mention the FITNESSCOP blog. You can learn more about Chicago River Canoe & Kayak at our website –http://chicagoriverpaddle.com/ We look forward to seeing you on the river.
*****Please note: we were given late notice that our Chicago launch would have to close for this summer for construction of a boathouse. So we're moving the Cardio Kayaking class to the Downtown/Chinatown launch this summer. The Downtown/Chinatown launch is located at 2120 S. Canal (we launch from the dock at Lawrence's Fisheries at Canal and Cermak).**********
updated May 25, 2012
Chicago River Canoe & Kayak
*****Please note: we were given late notice that our Chicago launch would have to close for this summer for construction of a boathouse. So we're moving the Cardio Kayaking class to the Downtown/Chinatown launch this summer. The Downtown/Chinatown launch is located at 2120 S. Canal (we launch from the dock at Lawrence's Fisheries at Canal and Cermak).**********
updated May 25, 2012
Chicago River Canoe & Kayak
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