News
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Recreational Boating Fatalities at Highest Level Since 1998
Recreational Boating Fatalities at Highest Level Since 1998
Coast Guard statistics for 2011 show too many perishing, injured
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 16, 2012
—Total boating fatalities last year rose to 758, the highest number on
record since 1998, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s official 2011
Recreational Boating Statistics released today.
From 2010 to 2011, total reported
accidents decreased less than one percent from 4,604 to 4,588, deaths
increased 12.8 percent from 672 to 758 and injuries decreased 2.3
percent from 3,153 to 3,081. Property damage totaled
approximately $52 million. The fatality rate measured 6.2 deaths per
100,000 registered recreational vessels, a 14.8 percent increase from
last year’s rate of 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational
vessels.
Operator inattention, improper
lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed and machinery failure
ranked as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.
Alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal
boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 16 percent of
the deaths.
Seventy percent of all fatal
boating accident victims drowned, and of those, 84 percent were not
reported as wearing a life jacket. Only 11 percent of deaths occurred on
vessels where the operator had received boating safety
instruction.
“We’re alarmed about the staggering
number of deaths,” said Capt. Paul Thomas, Director of Inspections
& Compliance. Thomas emphasized the importance of boating
responsibly, citing the story of a family who lost two children
while kayaking in Big Horn Lake in Wyoming last summer. After the
weather picked up, the seven kayaks capsized and the party became
separated. Boaters should always check the weather forecast prior to
launching and remain watchful of changing conditions.
The Coast Guard reminds all boaters
to boat responsibly while on the water: wear a life jacket, take a
boating safety course, get a free vessel safety check and avoid alcohol
consumption.
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Posted May 16, 2012 11:50 AM by Tom Lindblade
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SAVE THE DATE FOR IPF!
The Illinois Paddling Council (IPC) announces that the fourth annual *ILLINOIS PADDLESPORTS FESTIVAL* will take place the weekend of June 9, and 10, 2012 in Aurora’s beautiful Phillips Park. The mission of the Festival is to introduce the general public to the wide variety of human powered boats, paddling clubs, the local paddlesport retailers, and to bring the Illinois paddling community together.
We’re changing the name from the “Aurora” Paddlesports Festival to the “Illinois” Paddlesports Festival to allow the event to grow and include events at other locations such as the Marge Cline Whitewater Park in Yorkville, the Fox River in Aurora and Lake Michigan.
This fun-filled weekend of paddling activities is designed to attract novices, the merely curious and experienced paddlers alike. Once again the *City of Aurora*, will sponsor *FREE* two hour lessons in canoeing and kayaking taught by the Midwest’s best American Canoe Association certified instructors.
So *save the date* and plan to bring the family and friends to the Illinois Paddlesports Festival to try out a boat, take a lesson, camp for free on
the island in the lake and meet the friendly paddlers, instructors and retailers of Illinois’ paddlesport community. |
Posted Apr 11, 2012 10:27 PM by Rich .
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Eric Jackson To Open New Outdoor Center
Click below for News Release
Paddle And Trail Stores
7212 N. Alpine Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111, 815-636-9066
110 W. Grand Ave, Beloit, WI 53511, 608-362-6521
107 Spruce St., Aurora, IL, 630-506-5706
www.paddleandtrail.com
Geneva Kayak Center
301 E. Hydraulic, Yorkville, IL, 630-882-9211
www.genevakayak.com For Immediate Release
For
more information contact Therese Oldenburg, Paddle and Trail Marketing
and Operations Director, therese@paddleandtrail.com, 608-931-6895.
Outdoor Leadership Center Grand Opening - May 3-5
March
22, 2012 – Yorkville, IL - Paddle and Trail and Geneva Kayak Center
have announced they will be opening the Outdoor Leadership Center (OLC),
a world-class paddlesport and outdoor skills school with its primary
location in Yorkville, IL along the Marge Cline Whitewater Course. The
OLC serves the region and nation with educational programs that can take
beginners to the highest level of their chosen sport. On May 3-5 the
Outdoor Leadership Center is celebrating their grand opening by hosting
Eric Jackson, president of Jackson Kayak. Eric (EJ) Jackson is also a
four-time world free style champion whitewater kayaker. Eric will be
training OLC whitewater coaches and then holding 3-hour Strokes and
Concepts Clinics. If you want to learn basic moves, run creeks or
improve your freestyle skills, this clinic offers the perfect
opportunity to learn these skills from a world champion. The clinics are
limited to 8 participants and cost $200.
The
Outdoor Leadership Center paddlesport school will be a Jackson Super
School which means that OLC staff is trained by Eric Jackson and OLC
students are taught in Jackson kayaks, one of the leading manufacturers
of whitewater kayaks.
“The Outdoor
Leadership Center offers the Chicago and Midwest adventure seekers the
opportunity to learn to kayak in true Jackson Kayak style! Finally a
strong, dedicated, professional kayak instruction and livery program in
the Chicago area! Paddle and Trail has also committed to using the best
kayaks on the market as a Super School for Jackson Kayak. We are very
excited about this partnership.” said Eric Jackson, president of
Jackson Kayak. Weekend events: Friday, May 4
1:00 - 4:00 pm - Strokes and Concepts Clinic, reservations required.
4:00-7:00 pm - Demo time to try out new boats, reservations required.
7:00 pm - Social Gathering and Film Screening, Kendall Pub, 201 S. Bridge St, Yorkville.
Saturday, May 5
9:00am - 12:00 pm - Strokes and Concepts Clinic, reservations required.
10:00 am - 5:00pm – Outdoor Leadership Center Open House
1:00pm - 4:00 pm - Strokes and Concepts Clinic, reservations required. |
Posted Apr 11, 2012 10:16 PM by Rich .
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March / April Newsletter Now Available
Posted Apr 11, 2012 10:15 PM by Rich .
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*Sigrid Pilgrim Recognized for Leadership*
*Illinois Paddling Council Announces
“Lifetime Achievement Award*
*Sigrid Pilgrim Recognized for
Leadership*
*November 18, 2011* *FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE*
On Saturday, November 19th, the
Illinois Paddling Council (IPC) will present Evanston resident Sigrid
Pilgrim with its “Lifetime Achievement Award”. “Sig” has
been a lifelong advocate for paddling instruction and safety, a state
and national paddling community leader, and one of the founders of
the current incarnation of the Illinois Paddling Council. Sig
Pilgrim was present at the rebirth of the Illinois Paddling Council
as an advocacy organization on Oct.1, 1995 at the statewide
"Gathering at the Confluence" near Channahon. She held the
follow-up meeting a month or so later in the basement of her Evanston
home. That meeting formally established the IPC as the statewide
advocacy Council it is today.
In the mid 1990's Sig served three
years on the board of American Canoe Association. From 1995 to 1998
she edited and published “Pole and Paddle”, the ACA’s Midwest
Division newsletter. The national organization recognized Sig’s
work with its “Outstanding ACA Division Volunteer Award” in 1997
and its “Presidents Award for Outstanding Service to ACA on a
National Level” in 2004.
Sig was instrumental in producing the
1997 Safety on the Water Conference at the College of DuPage. She
was an active member of Chicago Whitewater Association and for
fourteen years organized and taught the club’s Evanston pool
sessions. She was certified as a kayak instructor and organized and
participated in the first Adaptive Paddling workshop in the Chicago
area for people with disabilities.
Sig's untiring energy and unparalleled
event production skills spearheaded the creation and success of
“Paddling in the Park” for twelve years. The regional
paddlesports festival was held in Palatine and featured local
retailers, clubs and low cost paddling skills instruction.
For more than 15 years, Sig’s service
as a board member, and her marketing talents, have helped the IPC
promote the growth and membership of the Illinois Paddling Council,
and its efforts to promote safety, access, communication, competition
and conservation. Sig’s lengthy record of leadership in paddling
clubs and state and national advocacy organizations, her promotion of
paddling safety, and service as an instructor and river
conservationist is truly inspiring. The Illinois Paddling Council is
pleased to recognize Sigrid Pilgrim's decades of service with its
“Lifetime Achievement Award”.
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Posted Apr 11, 2012 10:20 PM by Rich .
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