IPC Racing Season Update
By Don Mueggenborg and Scott Hays
Once again, the IPC Canoe and Kayak Racing Circuit is complete and the winners are in! This year again brought excitement, surprises and lots of fun.
The IPC’s Don Mueggenborg reports from three of the races from late summer and fall:
DUPAGE RIVER CANOE/KAYAK RACE | VIC HOPP RACE (cancelled) | FALL CLASSIC RACE
Overcast skies and temperature in the mid 70’s saw perfect conditions for the early fall race on the DuPage River at Channahon State Park.
Paddlers and spectators climbed the small hill to the tow path for the historic I & M Canal. Then down a staircase to the water. The Lock Tender’s house overlooked the locks and river where the canal crossed the river above the dam.
Eighteen paddlers and one beautiful white swan lined up at the start line between two buoys. At the sound of the horn, they were off. (The swan did not join them.)
They would race upstream several miles on the gently curving river – round a buoy near a small island and return. As they proceeded upstream, they passed homes set back far from the river, wilderness areas and several duck blinds. Paddlers ranged in age from grade school to veteran racers and one paddler who was 40 in his mind but whose body was twice that age. Also, one paddler who was determined to continue paddling in spite of medical problems.
A little over an hour later they would return. The swan crossed the finish line first.
Other than that, Jim Pechous had the best time overall in a solo kayak at 1 hour, four minutes, but close behind was the Juniors tandem canoe team of Dave Timmerman and Jody Runyon at 1:05. Dave Kies had the best timed for the solo canoe with a time 1 hour, 7 minutes.
For details on all of the winners across the various classes, please visit the St. Charles Canoe Club website HERE.
FALL CLASSIC CANOE RACE ON THE FOX RIVER
For a while it looked like it was going to be the FOG Classic instead of the Fall Classic. But the fog lifted and revealed racers ready and eager to start.
Perhaps the best turnout of the season with the exception the Des Plaines Marathon which draws hundreds of paddlers.
The course starts at Ferson Creek Park. Paddlers go downstream about a mile then upstream about 4 miles and return. The water level good and the temperature was about 70 degrees – enough to work up a sweat but not overheat.
Twenty-six racers lined up at the start line. There were paddlers from Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Southern Illinois as well as those closer to St Charles.
Smiling faces of the paddlers and supporters after the morning race.
Between morning and afternoon races everyone enjoyed their hot dogs provided by the sponsor of the race, the St Charles canoe club.
The afternoon saw 15 paddlers race the course.
Start of the afternoon race
Fastest time of the afternoon race was Jim Pechous and Anthea Halpryn in a tandem kayak at 1 hour, 30 minutes, and the fastest time of the day was 1 hour, 21 minutes by Waldemar Kulesszynski in a solo kayak.
VIC HOPP RACE
The Vic Hopp Race on the Fox River was set for September 20th, but it had been raining cats and dogs all night. I got a phone call before I got out of bed that the race was cancelled with the exception of this boat:
The 1st place boat crossing the finish line. Artist: Don Mueggenborg:
It was 2 cubits long and an old man was paddling. The boat was filled with animals.
Racing Circuit Wrap-Up
It was another good racing season and much thanks goes out to all who work and manage the races and to all who enjoy participation.
This year marks the final year of the IPC’s direct involvement in the Racing Circuit as we formally hand over the reigns of managing the Racing Circuit to the St. Charles Canoe Club, who has actually been managing the racing program for quite some time.
We will be awarding this year’s Racing Circuit paddling champions at the IPC Annual Dinner at the Office in St. Charles. We look forward to seeing all of you there!