Join us
We're open to all experience levels. You bring yourself; we'll bring the canoe, the paddles, and a crew that's glad you showed up.
The crew
Outrigger Chicago at Beach 2 Beach, our home race at the North Shore Yacht Club — all ages and experience levels, one big paddling ʻohana.
New paddlers
No experience and no gear required. If you can swim and you're ready to get wet, you're ready.
Email outriggerchicago@gmail.com or message us on social. Tell us you'd like to try — that's it.
We'll point you to a beginner-friendly practice at the North Shore Yacht Club in Highland Park and tell you when to arrive.
Wear clothes that can get wet, bring a change of clothes, water, and sunscreen. We supply the canoe, paddle, and PFD (as needed).
Quick safety brief, the basics of the stroke, then onto the lake with a full crew around you. Welcome to outrigger.
Before your first paddle you’ll sign a quick liability waiver online — it takes a minute (parents sign for youth).
Experienced paddlers
Come from dragon boat, canoe-kayak, surfski, or another OC club? You'll fit right in. We train for distance and downwind, travel to race, and love a crew that pushes the pace.
Good to know
No. Many of our paddlers started with zero. You'll learn the stroke and the safety basics your first day.
Reach out and we'll walk you through trying a session and what club membership looks like for the season.
We paddle the warm months on Lake Michigan, roughly spring through fall, out of the North Shore Yacht Club.
Yes — you should be able to swim in open lake water. PFDs are required for anyone not comfortable swimming in the day’s conditions, and we practice huli (flip) recovery together annually.
Yes. Every paddler signs a liability waiver electronically before participating (a parent signs for youth). Sign the waiver →
Clothes that can get wet, a change of clothes, water, and sun protection. We provide canoe, paddles, and PFDs (as needed).
North Shore Yacht Club, 21 Park Ave, Highland Park, IL. Map it →
Get in touch
Tell us a little about yourself and what you're after. We'll take it from there.
