Updates from the IPC
As usual this time of year, there’s lots going on with paddling in and around our state. In addition to the seven IPC canoe and kayak races that lead to establishing our statewide “Paddling Champion” (see the other article in this newsletter) at our Annual Dinner, several other members and member clubs have notable accomplishments.
IPC member Wally Wederich was part of the paddling team with Scott Miller, Joe Mann, Paul Cox, and Judson Steinback that recently set the Guiness World Record for completing the Mississippi River from source to sea! This amazing team completed the entire 2,296 mile length of the Mississippi River in just 16 Days, 20 Hours, 16 Minutes! A new record!! Their total elapsed time: 404:15:53, which was ahead of an old world record by about 23 and a half hours! Congratulations Team! Read about their record-setting effort HERE.
IPC members Jim Pechous and Anthea Halpryn paddled their tandem Stellar ST21 kayak to a first place victory in the MR (Mississippi River) 150, a race that starts at 3 pm in Brainerd, Minnesota, and ends just north of Minneapolis at the Coon Rapids dam. Paddling day and night non-stop, Jim and Anthea completed the race in 23 ½ hours and well ahead of the second place competition. Jim and Anthea would particularly like to thank their veteran crew members John and Chris, without whom they never could have won. Anthea reported, “they should be getting a trophy too!” While Jim is a veteran of distance kayaking, this was Anthea’s first long-distance race and she was shocked by her victory. Now it’s off to the MR 340!
On June 3, 2023, and after a reportedly very “loooong” process, much research, and a bistate effort, the Secretary of the Interior, Debra Haaland, announced the designation of the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail into the National Park Service’s National Water Trails System!!
Karen Miller, Executive Planner with the Kane County Development Department would like to offer, “Thanks to all of you for your support for our application and your work to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors along the Fox River. Our Team could not have developed a water trail worthy of designation by the National Park Service without your partnership.”
Secretary Haaland designated nine new national recreation trails in nine states on June 3, National Trails Day, adding 340 miles to the National Trails System (not all were “water trails”). The newly designated trails join a network of more than 1,300 existing national recreation trails, which can be found in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
“This National Trails Day, I encourage everyone to explore one of the national scenic, historic or recreation trails that make up the National Trails System,” said Secretary Haaland. “These trails offer an abundance of opportunities to experience the breathtaking landscapes of our country, all while supporting outdoor recreation activities and boosting local economies.”
See the link to the Fox National Water Trail HERE
Click HERE for more information on the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail.
Finally, from the IPC, we are making plans for our Annual Dinner event to take place in October this year. Stay tuned for more updates on this can’t-miss event of the year, where in addition to other stuff, we’ll award the Statewide Paddling Champion!
And don’t forget to renew YOUR membership in the IPC through this link. And if you’re feeling generous, please consider joining at the Bronze or Silver levels.