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How Illinois Water Access Law Measures Up to Other States

April 9, 2024

In discussing HB 4708, the IPC is frequently asked how we measure up to other states. The short answer for paddlers: poorly. Which is why IPC supports the passage of HB 4708 and are asking YOU to help us pass…

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Fall Classic Race

June 7, 2025

Come and challenge your canoe, kayak, sup, and rowing racing skills at the St Charles Canoe Club Fall Classic Race at Ferson Creek Park, St Charles IL. There are morning and afternoon races. You bring a boat we will have…

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IPC – Vic Hopp Memorial Canoe, Kayak & SUP Race

June 7, 2025

Come and challenge your canoe, kayak, racing skills at the Illinois Paddling Council Vic Hopp Memorial Canoe, Kayak and SUP Race at Fox River County Park Boat Landing, 29875 Silver Lake Rd, Burlington, WI 53105. (42.54089008506918, -88.17149252136538) This is a…

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Pontiac Canoe and Kayak Race

June 7, 2025

Come and challenge your canoe, kayak, racing skills at the Illinois Paddling Council Pontiac Race, located Play Park, Pontiac IL on the Vermillion River (303 E Grove St, Pontiac, IL. This is a 9 mile upstream downstream race so no…

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Voyageur Landing Race

June 7, 2025

Come and challenge your canoe, kayak, racing skills at the Illinois Paddling Council Voyageur Landing Race at Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve, Elgin IL (50 Airport Rd., Elgin, IL, 60123). This is a 8 mile upstream downstream race so no shuttling…

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Paddling Volunteers Needed to Support Rockford Ironman, June 22

May 23, 2025

KAYAK/SUP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Racing events from 5k’s to ultra races, running or paddling, only happen with the help of volunteers.  The first ever officially sanctioned Ironman in Illinois is happening on June 22nd in Rockford and we need paddling volunteers!…

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Emily Goes to Springfield!

May 22, 2025

By Emily Miao, IPC Volunteer and Advocacy Committee Member On Wednesday, April 9th, IPC President Scott Hays and I joined the IEC (Illinois Environmental Council) Conservation Lobby Day event at the Illinois State Capitol building, Springfield, IL, where we lobbied…

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IPC Seeks Paddler Confrontation Information

May 21, 2025

Have you been stopped or threatened while paddling in Illinois? If you have, we’d like to hear from you by completing our brief survey. Your story could help make the case for legislative reform or support future efforts to clarify…

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Paddlers’ Access to Navigable Waters: Update

April 2, 2025

by Scott Hays, Advocacy Chair and President, IPC In a decision inconsistent with federal law, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has determined that 98% of all rivers in the state of Illinois are designated as “non-navigable” and are the…

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The IPC Paddling Championship Circuit

April 2, 2025

by Anthea Halpryn, IPC Racing Task Force Chair In our last newsletter, we celebrated last years’ winners of the IPC Paddling Circuit. Now it’s time for YOU to join in the competition to become an Illinois Paddling Champion!  It’s not…

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The Friends of Kickapoo Creek: Peorians Taking Watershed Preservation Into Their Own Hands

April 2, 2025

By Lucas D. Myrna, Secretary, Friends of Kickapoo Creek. The Friends of Kickapoo Creek (Officially, F.O.K.C., NFP) is a Peoria, Illinois, nonprofit founded in 2023 by the cousins Jackson Myrna, Lucas Myrna, and William Ewers. The cousins had been canoeing,…

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