Check Out Illinois Paddling Council’s Blog

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Joe Kowsky Memorial DuPage River Race

July 10, 2025

Come and challenge your canoe, kayak, racing skills at the Illinois Paddling DuPage / Channahon Canoe, Kayak and SUP Race at Channahon State Park 25302 W Story St, Channahon, IL 60410. (41.423997950549754, -88.22776508622594) This is a 7 mile upstream downstream race so no shuttling is required…

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ACA State Director: Marcos Norris

July 2, 2025

Meet Marcos – new ACA State Director for Illinois Very few paddlers actually know that the American Canoe Association (ACA) exists, and even fewer know that each State has a Director working on expanding the paddling footprint. Meet Marcos Garcia…

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HB 1873 Update

July 2, 2025

By Scott Hays Illinois HB (House Bill) 1873 will open up access to all Illinois rivers for paddlers statewide. Significantly, 1873 is the year that the first statewide conservation law was passed in Illinois. Unfortunately, HB 1873 did not make…

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Kayaking London: Tower at Twilight

July 2, 2025

By James Tracy I recently had the opportunity to run the London Marathon. As a part of that journey, my wife and I spent a week in London. As an avid kayaker, I was hoping for an opportunity to kayak…

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Riverside Regatta Sesquicentennial, Riverrside IL on the DesPlaines River

July 1, 2025

The Annual Riverside Regatta is on July 5th. A spectacle you won’t want to miss. This year celebrates Riverside Sesquicentennial. please joun us as we paddle the De Plaines River. we will have Colored Smoke Bombs available on Green and…

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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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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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