CHICAGO BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Stand-Up Along Chicago’s Shore: Learn to Paddle from Montrose Beach and Glide the Lake Michigan Line
A two-hour, instructor-led stand-up paddleboard session that teaches fundamentals at Montrose Beach before a guided tour along Lake Michigan’s shoreline — an essential primer for first-time paddlers.
Stand-Up Along Chicago’s Shore: Learn to Paddle from Montrose Beach and Glide the Lake Michigan Line.
At Montrose Beach, certified instructors take beginners through a focused orientation and hands-on lesson in balance, safety and paddle technique before leading you out to trace Lake Michigan’s shoreline on stand-up paddleboards. No prior experience is required — the outing is structured so novices can get upright, confident and moving under guided instruction.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Comprehensive beginner instruction
Certified SUP instructors begin on the sand with an orientation and teach paddle strokes, safety and the basic skills needed to stand and paddle before you launch.
A guided glide along Lake Michigan
After the lesson, the group moves onto the water for a guided tour along the shore, letting paddlers experience Chicago’s lakefront from a low, intimate perspective.
Gear options for different skill levels
The operator provides SUP boards and sit-on-top single and double kayaks; sea kayaks are also available for paddlers with prior sea-kayaking training or equivalent rescue skills.
What the day feels like
What the outing feels like
The flow is deliberate: an orientation and dry-land primer at Montrose Beach, a short practice in the shallows to stand and paddle with instructor feedback, then a relaxed, guided circuit along Lake Michigan’s shoreline where instruction remains part of the rhythm. The pace suits learners — instruction precedes time on the water so confidence grows as the tour progresses.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this outing suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The outing is two hours in total.
Operator supplies SUPs and sit-on-top single and double kayaks. Sea kayaks are available for qualified paddlers; participants should bring appropriate clothing and personal items as needed.
Participants must check out in the operator’s office when they return so staff can confirm everyone is off the water.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Shoreline Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour?
The tour runs for two hours.
Where does the tour begin?
The tour begins at Montrose Beach with an on‑site orientation.
Do I need prior paddleboarding experience?
No experience is required; the instructors provide a comprehensive lesson and make the outing suitable for beginners, although some athletic ability is recommended.
What equipment is provided?
SUP boards and sit-on-top single and double kayaks are provided; sea kayaks are available for those who have completed sea-kayaking courses or have equivalent rescue skills.
Is there anything I need to do after returning from the water?
Yes — you must check out with staff in the office when you return so the operator knows you are off the water.
Is the tour suitable for children?
The outing is listed as all ages, making it suitable for participants of a wide range of ages.