Watercraft Rentals and Lessons
Learn to Sail or Kayak
The Evanston Recreation Division is offering lessons in sailing and kayaking on Lake Michigan. You can sign up for private sailing lessons on our new day sailing boats or group lessons in kayaking. The resident fee is for those living in ZIP codes 60201 and 60202. Scholarships are not available for this program. For more information, please call the Beach Office at 847.866.4167.
Location: Dempster Street Beach
Age Level: 18 yrs. and older
2008 dates: June 14 through Sept. 1
Times: Mon.-Fri., 3-7pm (a limited # of boats from 3-4:30pm); Sat.-Sun., 11am-6:30pm
Private sailing classes: four 1-hour lessons
2008 fees: Ev. resident - $150 Non-resident $200
Group kayaking classes: two 1-hour lessons. Minimum 2 students, maximum 4 students.
Ev. resident fee $40 per student Non-resident fee $60 per student (2008 fees)
Rent a Sailboat or Kayak
Watercraft are rented by the hour, the day, or the season! Adults can rent one of our new day sailing boats or one of our kayaks or the Hobie 16' (children may accompany an adult). Come to the Dempster Street Beach Office, Dempster St. at the lakefront during operating hours. Life jackets are provided for all passengers. You’ll need to show a valid state ID and leave a valid credit card. The resident fee is for those living in ZIP codes 60201 and 60202. Scholarships are not available for this program.
Location: Dempster Street Beach Office
Age Level: 18 yrs. and older
2008 dates: June 14 through Sept. 1
Days/Times: Mon.-Fri., 3-7pm (a limited # of boats from 3-4:30pm); Sat.-Sun., 11am-6:30pm
Kayak rentals: start at $25/hour, Ev. res.; Sailboat rentals start at $30/hour, Ev. res. Hobie 16' rentals start at $40/hour, Evanston resident and $50/hour nonresident. Please call for multiple-hour discounts.
Punch pass: Fifteen 1-hour rentals, with a maximum of 2 hours on a single day*
Ev. resident fee: $250 Non-resident fee: $350 (2008 fees)
Unlimited rental during 2008 season, with a maximum of 2 hours on a single day*
Ev. resident fee: $600 Non-resident fee: $800 (2008 fees)
*To use your punch pass or season pass, we will need at least 24 hours advance notice (so the boat will not be rented to someone else during your reservation period).
New! Kayak Fishing Trips
Learn the art of fishing in and around the shores of Evanston under your own power in this catch-and-release program. We will teach you cast and retrieve techniques, as well as lure/bait choice to best maximize your great lake fishing adventure! We will target smallmouth bass, perch, bluegill and more. Each class will have a quick on-shore demo and two hours on the water. We will supply all of the necessary equipment except a fishing license.
Location: Meet at Dempster Street Beach Office. Preregistration required.
Age Level: 14 years and older; youth age 10-14 may enroll if with adult in the same kayak
Fee with kayak rental: $50 R/$65 NR
Fee without kayak rental: $35 R/$50 NR (bring your own kayak)
Dates/Times offered: Fri., June 27 from 6-8:30pm; Sat.,
July 12 from 7-9:30am; or Fri.,
July 25 from 6-8:30pm. To register, call 847/866-4167 or 847/866-2900.
For lakefront conditions, please call the recorded message at 847.492.7082. For more information about this program, please call the Dempster Beach Office during the beach season at 847.866.4167. In other seasons, please call 847.866.2900.