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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.
    To view the 2011 Recreational Boating Statistics, go to http://uscoastguard.createsend1.com/t/r-l-hljhhyt-gultuuuul-j/ For more information on boating responsibly, go to http://uscoastguard.createsend1.com/t/r-l-hljhhyt-gultuuuul-t/
    Posted May 16, 2012 11:50 AM by Tom Lindblade
  • 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 .
  • 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 .
  • March / April Newsletter Now Available
    Posted Apr 11, 2012 10:15 PM by Rich .
  • *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”.

    Posted Apr 11, 2012 10:20 PM by Rich .
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