The Power of Paddlers

Over the past months, the Illinois DNR and the state Legislature have been reviewing proposed legislation that would prohibit one from being able to access the portages around low-head dams in the state, establishing a 350' exclusion zone.

In a clear victory for the Paddling Community. The Legislature's JCAR Committee, meeting in Springfield, July 15 voted eleven in favor (with one member voting present) to send The Dam Safety Rule# 3703 back to the DNR to be completely rewritten. A phone call and letter writing campaign that began in the Second Edition of the Illinois Paddling Council newsletter on March 16 with the words

"Either we paddlers show that we are a force to be dealt with and mount an effective campaign against this legislation, or we allow the politicians to write us off, and bring about the permanent loss of something we treasure."

has now shown that the Paddling Community in Illinois has truly come of age, and is a force for change in our state.

(We are indebted to Eric Sprenne for his willingness to drive to Springfield to attend this meeting and for his always reliable research, and writing throughout this campaign)
During the discussion prior to the vote virtually all of the concerns that we have been raising about 3703 were cited by JCAR members.

We have been hearing for some time that Legislators were receiving very large numbers of calls and letters, but we didn't know what effect this was having until JCAR sent 3703 back to the DNR with questions two weeks ago. DNR chose not to modify the rule and today's action by JCAR was the result.

The 350' exclusion zones, are not likely to again see the light of day, and the portages are likely to remain open. This is a clear reprieve for paddlers on the Fox, Rock, Kankakee, DesPlaines, and Sangamon rivers.

We must continue to remain vigilant because the rule will be rewritten. The Paddling Council will be formally offering to work with the DNR as they rewrite #3703. We are hopeful that a new rule that might actually make dams more safe can be written. We will continue to monitor progress closely and keep you informed.

Our thanks to the other members of the Protest Steering Committee Sigrid Pilgrim and Gary Mechanic, and most of all, we want to thank all of you who wrote, emailed, called, and signed the petition. You have shown that aroused citizens in Illinois can still make a difference.

Tom Lindblade
Editor - The Illinois Paddler
President Illinois Paddling Council

This blog was taken and edited from the Illinois Paddling Council July 15, 2009 "Illinois Paddler" Newsletter. Congratulations to the IPC for their efforts in maintaining access to the rivers in the state of Illinois.

First Aid & CPR Requirement

Attention all ACA Instructors and Instructor Trainers:

First Aid & age appropriate CPR will soon be requirements to maintain your ACA certification.

Please review:

• First Aid & CPR Overview Document
• SEIC Policy Manual (revised 6-25-2009)

If you have any questions, please contact the SEI Department.

Photo Courtesy of Landmark Learning.

Paddle Safe - Paddle Often,
Christopher Stec
Safety Education & Instruction Department

Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver Nationals

The 2009 Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver National race took place this past week in West Forks Maine on the Kennebec and the Lower Dead River. The Kennebec was running around 9300 cfs and the Lower Dead was running between 2000-5000 cfs. Competitors had to race through almost 6 miles of class 1-3+ whitewater for the down river race and about 1.5 miles of whitewater for the sprints. Wednesday July 1st was an official practice day. Racers from all over the country were present and eager to race.

The first day of competition was on July 2nd and took place on the Kennebec River. OC-2 Mixed and OC-2 (10-16/25-up) classes were racing.

All sprint classes raced on the 3rd. The sprints were held on the Lower Dead river. The two main rapids competitors raced through were Upper and Lower Popler. Some of the most popular classes were F16 OC-1 men and F16 OC-2 men. Charlie Bracket and I tied for the fastest F16 OC-1 men time. Jeff Owens and Chip Loring had the fastest F16 OC-2 time. Later that night, at the awards ceremony, Chis Stec and I gave a presentation about the history of competition and the ACA.

On Saturday July 4th the most popular race took place, OC-1 men. Many racers battled for the first place position, but in the end Charlie Bracket had the fastest time in the F16 class and Jeff Owen had the fastest F14 time. In addition to the OC-1 men’s race, the OC-2 Women’s race took place. Once again there was a lot of intense racing, but Tammy Kelley and Laurie Stearns wound up winning.

The final day of competition was on July 5th. Although many racers were tired from racing the previous days, there times did not reflect this. In the OC-2 men’s race Zane Havens and Keith Havens won the F14 class while Clayton Cole and Justin Wardwell won the F16 class.

After almost a week of racing everyone was exhausted. The ACA, all the racers, and I personally would like to thank everyone that contributed to the race.

Information about the 2010 WWOCD Championship race and this years race

are available at www.americancanoe.org.

Kasey Kaplan
Intern - Safety Education & Instruction Department

Fredericksburg, VA News

ACA Executive Director Marty Bartels was recently interviewed by the Free Lance-Star.

Read the July 3rd, Fredericksburg newspaper article for the latest details.

For more information about paddlesports Education, Stewardship, or Recreation, please visit www.americancanoe.org.

Paddle Safe - Paddle Often,
Christopher Stec
Safety Education & Instruction Department

National Paddlesports Conference

Don't forget there are only 150 places available for the ACA National Paddlesports Conference.

From Instructor Updates to educational sessions designed just for Clubs, this event has something to offer for everyone, whether your paddle once a week or once a year!

There will be skills courses and rescue clinics, Wilderness First Aid and canoe poling, kayak rolling and the film premier of Kent Ford's The Call of the River.

Mark October 23-25 on your calendar and plan to travel to historic Fredericksburg, VA.

Join us at the 2009 ACA National Paddlesports Conference.

Reserve your spot, register today!

Paddle Safe - Paddle Often,
Christopher Stec
Safety Education & Instruction Department

Celebrate Independence With Life Jacket Wear

Dear Friend,

Independence Day weekend is one of the heaviest traffic times of the summer travel season, and the water is no exception. Just as seatbelt wear is a natural part of driving to your celebration destination, routine and consistent life jacket wear should also be a part of all water activities during the holiday and the rest of summer boating season.

Independence Day weekend is one of the top times for boating accidents. By making sure everyone on a boat ride takes advantage of a life jacket by choosing to“Wear It!,” boaters can take the No. 1 step toward greater water safety.

There’s no reason why everyone can’t have fun on the water while also choosing to always wear a life jacket. Because the weekend of the Fourth may be one of the only times some people get on a boat the entire summer, every boat operator needs to remember to share the "Wear It!" message.

Approximately 90 percent of recreational boating drowning victims weren’t wearing a life jacket. Fortunately, life jacket wear is easy and convenient with a range of today’s comfortable, stylish styles. 

Remember, a life jacket’s not going to do any good unless you’re wearing it. The bulky styles that may have discouraged life jacket wear in the past have been replaced by superior options that both feel and look good. It’s especially important for novice boaters who are planning to take to the water this Independence Day holiday to be prepared: Do like other smart boaters and "Wear It!"
 

Have a safe and relaxing Independence Day weekend. For more safe boating tips, please visit www.SafeBoatingCampaign.com.

Sincerely,

Virgil Chambers
Executive Director
National Safe Boating Council

For more information, visit www.SafeBoatingCampaign.com.

The 2009 Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver National

The 2009 Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver National (WWOCD) race will take place in West Forks Maine on the Lower Dead River the 1^st-5^th of July. The river is dam released and is expected to be running around 1300 cfs throughout the competition. The river is comparable in difficulty to the Youghiogheny River, PA where the 2007 WWOCD National race took place.

Competitors will be racing down almost 13 miles of class 1-3+ whitewater for the Down River Category. The sprint section will cover a distance of 1.2 miles and go through some of the most challenging rapids on the river. Paddlers from all over the country are expected to attend.

The race is being hosted and sponsored by ACA New England, an ACA Paddle America Club. The race chair is Clayton Cole.

Kasey Kaplan
Intern - Safety Education & Instruction Department