Check Out Illinois Paddling Council’s Blog

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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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 2026 IPC Paddling Championship Circuit

April 2, 2025

by Anthea Halpryn, IPC Racing Task Force Chair It’s time for YOU to join in the competition to become an Illinois Paddling Champion!  It’s not easy to qualify for the Annual IPC Racing award. Winners must paddle in at least…

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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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