Paddling News
!!! Aurora Paddlesports Festival !!!
Posted by rich on 04/04/2009 10:06PM The AURORA PADDLESPORTS FESTIVAL (APF) will take place the weekend of July 11 & 12, in Aurora's beautiful Phillips Park. APF will be based on the highly successful Paddling in the Park which was held for twelve years and drew thousands of visitors each year.
The IPC's goal is to make this a major Midwest paddlesport event put on by the local paddling community and related organizations interested in conservation and the protection of our waterways. The purpose of the event is to introduce the general public to the wonderful world of paddlesport and as an annual gathering and celebration of our community.
Sponsored by the IPC and the City of Aurora, APF will offer two hour introductory lessons in canoeing and kayaking taught by American Canoe Association certified instructors. Visitors can also test paddle the latest boat designs from well-known canoe and kayak manufacturers.
The AURORA PADDLESPORTS FESTIVAL will also include Illinois' first paddling film festival. The Aurora Reel Paddling Film Festival will bring the world's best paddling films to APF. The Reel Paddling Film Festival is a worldwide film contest awarding films in eight categories. Individual winning films in each category will be previewed in various locations throughout Aurora during the week before the festival. The entire list of award winning films will be shown during the two day festival at indoor and outdoor locations in Phillips Park.
Sincerely,
Tom Eckels
Volunteer Coordinator, APF
Reach Steward, Gowe Park to Oak Spring Road, WaterTrail Keepers
Official Aurora Paddlesports Flyer
Flyer for volunteers
Schedule of Events/Demos/Classes
Call to Action - Dam Exclusion Zones
Posted by rich on 04/01/2009 08:51PM Below is a call to action from the Illinois Paddling Council regarding legislation in Illinois that will essentially close off many areas we currently enjoy paddling due to portage paths being eliminated/closed. Please read the call to action below and call/write/email those listed and let your voice be heard.
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/407773/9942037b9a/TEST/TEST/
IPC Upcoming Events
Posted by rich on 02/06/2009 08:06PM For those of you that don't get the newsletter from the Illinois Paddling Council, you'll want to check out the link below. They have lined up some amazing events for this year and there is even a whitewater park in the works at the Glenn Palmer Dam in Yorkville!!!
A quick summary of the events:
July 11, 12: THE AURORA PADDLESPORTS FESTIVAL
"a major Midwest paddlesport event put on by the local paddling community," includes instruction, paddling film festival and more.
April 19: IPC Annual Kickoff on the Du Page River
Oct 17: Pumpkin Paddle on the N. Branch Chicago River
Website:
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/407773/47a49cad74/TEST/TEST/
Flyer:
http://www.illinoispaddling.org/APF_Flyer.pdf
New Years Paddle N. Branch Chicago River
Posted by rich on 12/14/2008 09:36AM From the Forest Preserve District of Cook County:
Forest Preserve District staff ran the river today. Tho high, the levels are dropping enough to make for safe passage. Please pass on to all you communicate with that the trip is on. There are no major jams--unless they are so flooded out we paddled over them.
The trip will be more technical than usual with some overhanging branches and flow issues around trees, etc. This is NOT a beginner's trip! All should bring a change of clothes in their canoes and wear PFD's.
Right now there are 3 bridges that are impassable: the Beckwith Road dam/golf course bridge combination, another golf course bridge in Chick Evans, and the Linne Woods horse bridge. Today you can paddle around all three but the river willl probably drop another couple of feet by Thurs am making that not possible.
Shuttle buses will begin running from Linne Woods (at Dempster) at 8 am New Year's Day and continue until approx 1pm.
Skilled volunteers will be very useful in a few places!
Happy Ca-New Year!
Bill
Bill Koenig
Volunteer Resources
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Map of route.
Older paddling news
New Paddling Articles/Links
Sea Kayaker magazine article discussing techniques to help you relax and hold your breath longer with the goal of attempting a second or third roll should your first attempt(s) fail.
Learn how to perform proper sweep strokes, rolls, low and high braces. This article has annotated photos showing both good technique and bad.
Paddling.net member discusses rolling exercises to be performed in flatwater that can help prepare you for unplanned/combat rolls in rougher conditions.
Inform yourself about the dangers of paddling in high water conditions.
More paddling resources here
New Paddling Videos!
New put-ins!
