In a private lake in Port Byron, Ill., Christine "Chris" Ciasto kayaked in water she couldn't quite see through. Never a fan of murky water, Ciasto was relieved to learn it was only a few feet deep and enjoyed the kayak lesson so much, she went out on the water two more times.

"I've participated in almost all the events," Ciasto, activities coordinator for the Quad-Cities Women's Outdoor Club, said. "Almost all of those were for the first time. It's a great place to have camaraderie."

On a sunny, cool late-summer morning, a portion of the club joined at club member Linda Wilson's home in Port Byron, where she and neighbors share a small lake used for recreation. With lessons provided by Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club, also based in the Quad-Cities, the 25 women climbed into kayaks, many for the first time. For the next three hours, the women spent time in and out of different kinds of kayaks and waiting in lines to be the next one on the water.

"We tried to come up with a safe place without too much river flow," Wilson said. "We try to do something different every month. We try to find things that everyone wanted to try before but didn't know how to go about it."

Becky Willems, president of the outdoors club, said she sends out surveys to the now 100-plus members on what activities they would like to learn or do. "It's women for women - and whatever active endeavor they want to choose," Willems said. "You're in a comfortable environment to try new and exciting activities."

The club began in 2007 with help from Active Endeavors, a continuing sponsor of the club along with Trinity Health System. Kathy Storm, membership coordinator of QCWOC, said the first activity was a hike that attracted more than 25 women. "In the Quad-City area, probably in the past 20 years, there have been various organizations to get some strictly women-oriented endeavors," Storm said. "It wasn't that we didn't enjoy participating with husbands and boyfriends, but as women, we approach participating in an activity different than a man would. Women seek out a situation that, athletically, they're not made to feel inferior and may also need instruction. That's the environment we were looking to foster."

Past activities for the club include waterskiing with the Backwater Gamblers, snow shoeing, hiking, bike rides, archery and horseback riding. The club also takes part in Adopt-A-Highway with a two-mile stretch of Scott Park Road, where they pick up trash twice a year.

With jobs, families and outside activities, Willems said the club tries to offer activities "mostly on weekends" but offers mid-week activities, too, for women with other plans on weekends. At an annual $30 membership fee, Willems said the group continues to grow. "A lot of time women don't make time for themselves," Willem said. "Being part of this club kind of forces you to plug us in and give yourself time."

Member Robin Garcia, who has tried many of the events, said the dynamic between the women of the club is a great mix. From ages 18 and up and every background imaginable, every woman is welcome for membership.

"We have anyone from high-power executives to teachers to medical doctors and chiropractors," she said. "It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, if you like the outdoors, we have something for you." Posted in Water-activities on Sunday, September 27, 2009 2:00 am Updated: 12:53 pm. | Tags: Christine Ciasto, Kayak, Quad-cities Women's Outdoor Club, Linda Wilson, Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe And Kayak Club, Becky Willems, Active Endeavors, Trinity Health System, Kathy Storm, Backwater Gamblers, Adopt-a-highway, Robin Garcia Share This Story Print Email ShareThis /lifestyles/recreation/water-activities Latest Similar Stories Popular Stories Durant principal questions her removal, hires attorney Home trashed: Thieves steal copper pipe, couple's American dream Davenport police squad car hits Cadillac, pole Area woman dies in car crash One injured in Davenport rollover Closed restaurant’s lot filled with cars Bettendorf boy drowns in bathtub Deere union receives authority to strike