Grand Opening of Outdoor Leadership Center features four-time Freestyle World Champion Eric Jackson
Eric Jackson
Paddle and Trail and Geneva Kayak Center have announced they will be opening the Outdoor Leadership Center (OLC), a world-class paddlesport and outdoor skills school with its primary location in Yorkville, IL along the Marge Cline Whitewater Course. The OLC serves the region and nation with educational programs that can take beginners to the highest level of their chosen sport.
On May 3-5 the Outdoor Leadership Center is celebrating their grand opening by hosting Eric Jackson, president of Jackson Kayak, who is also a four-time whitewater freestyle world champion. Jackson will be training OLC whitewater coaches, and then holding 3-hour Strokes and Concepts Clinics. If you want to learn basic moves, run creeks or improve your freestyle skills, this clinic offers the perfect opportunity to learn these skills from a world champion. The clinics are limited to 8 participants and cost $200.
The paddlesport school at the Outdoor Leadership Center will be a Jackson Super School. The OLC staff will be trained by Eric Jackson, and OLC students are taught in Jackson kayaks, one of the leading manufacturers of whitewater kayaks.
“The Outdoor Leadership Center offers the Chicago and Midwest adventure seekers the opportunity to learn to kayak in true Jackson Kayak style! Finally a strong, dedicated, professional kayak instruction and livery program in the Chicago area! Paddle and Trail has also committed to using the best kayaks on the market as a Super School for Jackson Kayak. We are very excited about this partnership.” said Eric Jackson, president of Jackson Kayak.
The Outdoor Leadership Center staff will be on hand all weekend to talk about the plans for the center and the instructional opportunities that will be available year round.
Grand Opening events:
Friday, May 4
- –1:00 – 4:00 pm – Strokes and Concepts Clinic, reservations required.
- –4:00-7:00 pm – Demo time to try out new boats, $10, reservations required.
- –7:00 pm – Social Gathering and Film Screening, Kendall Pub, 201 S. Bridge St, Yorkville.
Saturday, May 5
- –9:00am – 12:00 pm – Strokes and Concepts Clinic, reservations required.
- –10:00 am – 5:00pm – Outdoor Leadership Center Open House
- –1:00pm – 4:00 pm – Strokes and Concepts Clinic, reservations required.
- –4:00-7:00 pm – Demo time to try out new boats, $10, reservations required.
Learn more about the grand opening of the Outdoor Leadership Center at www.paddleandtrail.com or call 630-882-9211 to make reservations for the clinics or demos.
I’m signed up for the Friday class with EJ. How do we get on the list to paddle some demo boats? I’m most interested in the MonStar. Thanks!
Hi Kayaker,
We believe there is great value in receiving individual attention from a four-time world champion. Eric Jackson only does a handful of Strokes and Concepts weekends in the US each year and we’re very fortunate to have him come to the Chicago area to work with individuals looking to improve their whitewater skills. The class size is limited to 8 people, so each person will get a lot of individual attention and assistance. We’re looking forward to a fun weekend with EJ. Thank you for your interest.
Would any of this be OK for a beginning whitewater guy. I have been doing Class I and flat water only for eight years. I would like to try the demos. I own several kayaks. I have been wanting to try Yorkville.
Hi Ron,
You might want to think about taking the Level Beginner Whitewater Kayaking course we’re offering on Saturday morning. The demos would be a good opportunity as well. You could take the course, then do the demo afterwards. Learn more about the course here: https://www.google.com/calendar/render?tab=mc