2024 Gathering of the Paddlers: Wrapping Up Another Great Year!

IPC members had a great time at our Annual Gathering of the Paddlers this year in Yorkville, home of the Marge Cline Whitewater Course. Some of us took this opportunity to paddle the whitewater course before the meeting. The course offers paddlers a thrilling class 2 whitewater adventure on the normally placid Fox River, right here in the heart of Northern Illinois. If you haven’t had a chance to visit, we recommend checking it out!

We had a lovely dinner of all-we-could-eat catfish and fried chicken served up by Southern Belle’s – and what we couldn’t eat, several of us brought home! We hear Southern Belle’s serves a delicious breakfast and lunch, so when you’re in Yorkville, give them a try!

The evening included opportunities for old friends and new across our state to network and share paddling stories. It also offered presentations on Yorkville and the creation of the Marge Cline Whitewater Course from Parks Board Member, Gene Wilburg. Anthea Halpryn shared the tale of her personal kayaking journey leading up to her penultimate goal of paddling the Missouri River 340, a grueling 55 hour non-stop paddling competition.  

Next up our Featured Speaker, John Chase, host of the Paddle the Blue Podcast, had us up and doing paddling stretches before his in-depth presentation on Isle Royale (which we learned is pronounced “Royal”, not as in “Casino Royale”). John shared his own paddling adventure around the island and shared pictures and tales of the storied history of this beautiful destination.

Everyone had a great time, and we hope that if you didn’t get a chance to join us, you’ll be able to join us next year.