Web Sites of Interest to Chicago-area Paddlers

Indexes/Directories of Web sites:

Paddling.net
Outfitters and rentals, manufacturers, organizations, buyers guide, product reviews, message board, classified ads

The Ultimate Directory of Kayaking Links
Companies, clubs, personal pages, educational material

The World of Canoeing
International scope, sponsored by the Norwegian Canoe Association.

Great Lakes Regional Canoe/Kayak Information:

PaddleAway.com
A website rich in useful information for paddlers in the Midwest, including lists of put-ins, boat rentals, safety and general river videos, and river closings.

Illinois Area Paddlers' Message Board
Contact other area paddlers, share information, keep current on paddling issues, etc.

Illinois Paddling Council
Clubs, access project, weather and stream flow data, safety tips for paddlers, calendar of events

Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Guide
Lakes and rivers where canoeing/kayaking is allowed, boat rental companies, water quality information

Southern Wisconsin Paddling Forum
An internet paddling forum with focus on getting paddlers together in southern Wisconsin

Indiana Canoeing Guide
Indiana DNR site—lists Indiana canoe trails, canoe liveries, topo maps

Paddling Iowa
Iowa's Online Paddling Community

Michigan Kayaking
Information on kayak rivers and lakes in Michigan

Whitewater Rivers of Wisconsin and Michigan
Good information on class, put-ins, seasons

Minnesota Lakes, Rivers and Streams
Minnesota DNR site—includes canoe routes, maps, and river level reports

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Excellent information from the USDA Forest Service—reservations online

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Information about paddling among the Apostles.

Canoe and Kayak Clubs:

Illinois Paddling Clubs
Compiled by the Illinois Paddling Council

Mad City Paddlers
Newsletter and events from the Madison area Club

Chicago Area Sea Kayakers Association

Canoe and Kayak Organizations:

Illinois Paddling Council
Lists activities, local events, clubs, river flow data, safety information

American Canoe Association
News, water-conditions reports, conservation campaigns, educational programs

American Whitewater Affiliation
Mission to conserve and restore America's whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely (safety code)

British Canoe Union
Official site for the governing body of canoeing in the UK

Wooden Canoe Heritage Association

Canoe and Kayak Magazines and Books:

Canoe and Kayak Magazine
Selected articles from the past two issues online

Kanawa Magazine
Feature articles online from the magazine of the Canadian Recreational Canoe Association—covers whitewater and sea kayaking and canoeing in Canada

Sea Kayaker Magazine
Selected articles online, kayak reviews, links

Boundary Waters Journal
Sample articles, back issue index, subscription information

Paddler Magazine
Selected articles online, complete back issue index

Wooden Canoe Journal
The Journal of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA)

Wooden Canoe Bookstore
The Book Store for the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA)

Wavelength Magazine
The free online kayaking magazine for kayakers, paddlers, and boaters everywhere

Canoe and Kayak Dealers in the Great Lakes Region:

Canoesport Outfitters
Located in Indianola, Iowa—sales information, Iowa river information, and river maps

Chicagoland Canoe Base
The most unusual canoe shop in the U.S., right here in Chicago

CrawDaddy Outdoors
A new paddling and outdoors shop in downtown Waverly IA:  close to the Cedar, Iowa, Shell Rock, Upper Iowa, Turkey, Volga, Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa Rivers.

Great Lakes Kayak
in Lake Bluff.  They schedule many free test paddles over the course of the summer.

Great River Outfitters
Located in Waterford, Michigan—imports British boats and gear

Laacke & Joys'
Downtown Milwaukee store has a good paddllesports section.

Offshore
Chicagoland's canoe, kayak, and inflatable specialists—located in Vernon Hills

Paddle and Trail
Located in Loves Park—Northern Illinois' largest full service paddle sport shop:  sales, rentals, training, & trips.

River Basin Canoe & Kayak
Burlington, IA 

Rutabaga
Located in Madison, Wisconsin—sponsor of Canoecopia

 

Send corrections and added listings to Al Donaldson