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Nippersink Creek in Glacial Park


Paddling News


For Sale
 Posted by rich on 05/10/2008 11:00PM

Since I'm currently searching for a used sea kayak, I've aggregated a few of the sites I've been searching on. Check out the new "For Sale" link. A few craigslist feeds as well as some paddling.net links have been added. I've also added some links to paddling.net reviews for some of the major kayak manufacturers.

Hopefully this will be useful for those of you looking for a used kayak.


New Flood Closures & Advisory Page
 Posted by rich on 04/24/2008 11:01AM

Thanks to all the snow earlier this year compounded with recent rains, many area waterways are flooding or near flooding. To keep paddlers aware of the recent river closures and restrictions I have created a page identifying these located at the following:

http://www.PaddleAway.com/advisory

If you are aware of any other closures, advisories or dangerous situations on a river please feel free to add them in using the form at the bottom of the page above.


Another Cougar near Skokie Lagoons?
 Posted by rich on 04/14/2008 11:11PM

Two sightings of a second cougar near the Skokie Lagoons is being reported by the Chicago Tribune. As a paddler you're likely to be safe on the water - just be cautious putting in and taking out!!!

Read the article at Chicago Tribune:
Air search for cougar near Skokie Lagoons comes up empty


Alabama Scenic River Trail Opens (click title for more)
 Posted by rich on 02/24/2008 09:36PM

I recently received an email regarding a new 631 mile water trail in Alabama described as "The Nations Longest One State River Trail". Anyone interested in heading to Alabama can find more by about the trail at the link below:

"In conjunction with the Grand Opening of the Alabama Scenic River Trail at Montgomery's Riverwalk on June 6, boaters from throughout the country will participate in the celebration by traveling in canoes, kayaks and powerboats down various segments of Alabama's beautiful new Trail from Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico during May, June and July"

http://www.AlabamaScenicRiverTrail.com

They grand opening is scheduled for June 6th, 2008 at the Riverwalk in Montgomery, AL.



Older paddling news



New Paddling Articles/Links



This article describes the various knots a paddler might need to know.



Atlantic Kayak Tours discusses the effects of cold water on a kayaker. The two main problems are drowning due to initial shock in cold water and the better known hypothermia. Some lesser known problems such as difficulty re-attaching a skirt due to numb fingers is also disccussed. A must read for kayakers!



A must read for new whitewater boaters. This article discusses what to do in various situations once you've become separated from your boat.

Techniques for dealing with eddy lines, strainers, holes, drops, and big water are discussed.



Great post on paddling.net discussing how wind and waves affects your boat and how to get your boat going in the direction you want.



More paddling resources here



Paddling Calendar



Calendar - Monthly View



New Paddling Videos!



How to Paddle - Flatwater Kayaking    Video created by: kanoistikav

Great tutorial on the forward stroke.
Kayaking Warm Up Exercises?    Video created by: SavCanKayak

Try out this warm up routine next time you hit the water! Onlookers will definitely be entertained!


 Head over to the videos section to view these and more great videos!



New put-ins!


Ferson Creek Park - St. Charles, IL     (View on map)
Ferson Creek     
by rich on 05/12/2008

Ferson Creek Park is located at the junction of Ferson Creek and the Fox River. The park's north side borders Ferson Creek with the east and south side bordering the Fox River. The park has restrooms, benches & picnic tables, fishing pier and a large parking lot.

Webers Park - McHenry, IL     (View on map)
Fox River (IL)     
by rich on 05/10/2008

From the city of McHenry:

"Finally passing under the bridge at Pearl Street the walk ends (or begins) at Weber's Park where a new restroom facility will be built in the park, a new pathway and new public piers will also be installed. Large stacked stones will be placed along the riverbank providing a clean look and increased accessibility to the River. Plans for Weber's Park also have one of the more exciting interactive features along the Riverwalk. The Park will be highlighted with a zero depth water feature that uses lights and squirts water from the ground. A new park entryway will have a short brick wall that will distinguish the park and prevent children from running into the street."

Willow Rd Dam - Winnetka, IL     (View on map)
Chicago River     
by rich on 05/09/2008

Starting point for the annual New Years Day Paddle on the south side of the Willow Rd dam. See some fantastic pics of the 2007 paddle here.


View all 189 put-ins here!


PaddleAway.com News!

Help put in the put-ins!

Your help is needed in locating put-ins. If you know of some terrific put-ins, try out the new Google map interface to add in your favorite put-ins. Don't keep them secret, let us all enjoy them.

Click the image below to find some amazing put-ins!

















With the new mapping interface you can view all put-ins in Google Maps! Mapped by GPS location through Google's mapping interface allowing you to see exactly where you are putting in and taking out. You can even get driving directions to the put-in -just enter your address in the start address field and click on a put-in and you'll instantly have directions to your put-in.

Tons of put-ins on the Kish, Nippersink, Des Plaines and Fox rivers as well as many others. Feel free to add your own put-in or email me the details and I'll be sure to add it in.

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Welcome to PaddleAway.com:

A site dedicated to kayakers and canoeists. This site was developed to help paddlers find the information they need to get them out on the water. Illinois has numerous places to paddle and relax. Hopefully this site will help both veteran and novice paddlers alike find great places to paddle.

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What can you do here?

Besides the put-ins list and mapping interface, we have a link to paddling clubs in Illinois, rental links, as well as links to video footage of some local waterways.

Most paddlers will likely be interested in the ut-Ins section which has links to info on the put-in, weather for the specific put-in as well as a link to USGS water data for up-to-date flow and depth levels.

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Upcoming Site Enhancements

(these may take a while ;))
  • Ability to track your trips by creating and saving routes on map
  • Distance between put-ins -on rivers and especially along Lake Michigan lakeshore .
  • Add a video and photo gallery linked to a particular stretch/section of rivers/lakes
  • Allow data to be added and modified from the web by members
  • Link USGS data with geographical coordinates to Google Maps markers
  • Add overlays to google maps easily identifying popular paddling destinations
  • Trip Reports
  • Boat and gear review section
  • Calendar of upcoming paddling trips and events
  • To see what fellow paddlers are interested in, a list of top visited put-ins sorted by popularity
  • Canoe/kayak rentals in close proximity to put-in sites.