Key information for the 2009 USCA Aluminum Nationals

Aluminum Nationals Results

Accommodations Return To Main Headings

Major hotel discount support from Wyndham Glenview Suites
DPRA and USCA are delighted to announce that the Wyndham Glenview Suites (a very attractive luxury hotel just three minutes drive from the Des Plaines River) has kindly agreed to support our event by offering a very special deal to participants and their supporters for any or all of the nights May 13-18, 2009 at $69.00 room (suite) rate (one or two occupants), no extra charge for accompanying children 18 and under, $10 for a third adult, $10 for a fourth adult, max five people per suite.

Do not try to make these reservations on line:
Call (847) 803-9800 ext. 135 or e-mail Kim Curry at curry@wyndham.com. Mention Des Plaines River Association to get your special prices.

The hotel is 5 to 7 minutes from the race finish areas, and less than 10 minutes from the Saturday Evening Banquet location, Buca di Beppo. The hotel offers a free shuttle for guests to sites within a 10 mile radius – which includes the Banquet restaurant – but does not include airports. The hotel is 7 miles from O'Hare Airport and 20 miles from Midway. Free internet, gym, swimming pool, and gorgeous rooms. Check it out at www.wyndhamglenviewsuiteshotel.com. Stay there once, you'll want to go back.

Awards Banquet Return To Main Headings

The Saturday Evening Awards Banquet

All Marathon participants are invited to attend a Saturday evening (May 16th) pre-race Des Plaines banquet. The banquet, to be held at Buca di Beppo at 7:30pm, 604 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Wheeling, IL, will also serve as the occasion to present trophies and awards to the winners of the 2009 USCA Stock Aluminum Canoe Marathon Championships and the Aluminum Canoe Marathon Junior Challenge.

Guest speaker: Elite marathon canoe racer, Peter Heed. Peter will also be conducting a master canoe racing clinic earlier on Saturday afternoon. Peter Heed is co-author of the classic Canoe Racing: A Competitor's Guide to Marathon and Downriver Canoe Racing.

The cost of the banquet is $20 per person, inclusive of service. Pre-registrations are required (limit 120 people). Reservations must be made in advance through the race registration forms (by mail postmarked through May 9, 2009). Additional or late banquet reservations may be made to Gareth Stevens, PO Box 56, Hubertus, WI 53033: nawal@ticon.net: (262) 628 9991 or (262) 853 5453 (cell) through mid-day May 12, 2009.

Canoe Racing Clinic with Peter Heed Return To Main Headings

Click here for the entry form for Peter Heed's Master Canoe Racing Clinic

Peter Heed is well known for his prowess at marathon canoe racing, for his infectious enthusiasm for the sport, and for writing Canoe Racing: A Competitor's Guide to Marathon and Downriver Canoe Racing, Peter Heed and Dick Mansfield (Vitesse Press). This is the acknowledged classic on marathon canoe training and racing technique.

Peter's clinics are well known for the insights he is able to give to paddlers at all levels into paddling technique, training, river reading, wake riding, understanding waves, race tactics, and race strategy.

Date & Time: Saturday, May 16th, 3:30pm-5:00pm (and maybe a little longer . . . )
This is after USCA Aluminum Nationals and the day before the Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon. It will finish in good time to allow wash-up and preparation for the Evening Banquet at 7:30pm at Buca di Beppo, where Peter is also guest speaker.

Clinic Location: Dam #1 Woods
This is the finish area for the Aluminum Nationals, in a covered shelter about 200 yards south of Dam #1 itself, on the East side of the Des Plaines River.

Cost: $15 per person

Pre-registration Deadline: mail postmarked May 8th

Click here for the entry form for Peter Heed's Master Canoe Racing Clinic

Race day registration is permitted at the registration table for the Aluminum Nationals, at the Townline Road Canoe Launch, west side of the Des Plaines River bridge, Highway 60 / Town Line Road, Vernon Hills, IL, 8:00am-10:00am.

Canoe Specifications Return To Main Headings

• Canoes qualified to race are limited to "stock aluminum" – any standard type aluminum canoe – not longer than 17' 4". This is intended to be a manufacturer's stock canoe. "Superaluminum canoes" such as the Minnick or Beaver are regarded as non-standard, and will not be allowed.
• No modification to the canoe can be made except with respect to seat type, seat placement, and interior modifications to interior bulkheads and end caps. To facilitate a change of seat type and placement, the original factory seat may be removed. Adequate flotation must be permanently attached to the canoe. (Note: removal of the bulkheads and end caps will remove flotation, which must be replaced with new flotation material permanently attached to the canoe.)
• The USCA National Competition Chair and the USCA Technical Inspection Chair or their on-site delegate will judge the eligibility of the canoe.
• Note: The Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon on the day after the Aluminum Nationals does NOT have the 17' 4" restriction for aluminum canoe classes.

Canoes for rent Return To Main Headings

A limited number of qualified stock aluminum canoes, some of them with racing seat conversions, will be available for rent (some for optional purchase). Please contact Gareth Stevens at nawal@ticon.net or Don Walls at donwalls2@netzero.com.

Stock aluminum canoes will also be available from two local liveries:
• Chicagoland Canoe Base - call (773) 777-1489 or email info@chicagolandcanoebase.com
• TIP A CANOE LLC - call (262) 342-1012 or email info@tipacanoellc.com

Classes & Awards Return To Main Headings
Classes

• National Championship classes comprise two gender classes, each divided into two age divisions.
• Open classes have no age limitation.
• In the Master classes, both paddlers must be 40 years old or older on May 16, 2009.
• Mixed teams classify as "Men".
• Junior teams qualify for additional awards (see below) but for National Championship purposes, they classify as "Men Open" or "Women Open".

Thus the Championships divisions are:
• Men Open
• Women Open
• Men Master
• Women Master

Awards

• The winning teams in each division will receive for one year the National Championship traveling trophy.
• This year, the winning teams in each division will also receive a special aluminum Des Plaines Voyageur statue.
• The first six teams in each division will be awarded USCA National Championship medals.
• All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt.
• Special prizes for the three fastest Aluminum Canoe Marathon Junior Challenge teams.
• Photos of all winners will appear in USCA's Canoe News magazine.

Course Description Return To Main Headings
The Des Plaines is a river with a winding path through "urban wilderness" – along a Forest Preserve route, with mostly wooded banks, bike and walking paths, and plenty of wildlife (though on race days, the visible wildlife is mostly human).

• View Course Maps
• Length of race: total 14.2 miles on the Des Plaines River from Vernon Hills to Wheeling, IL. The course is downstream for 10.4 miles miles, counterclockwise around a buoy just north of the finish line, clockwise around a buoy 1.9 miles back upstream, then downstream to the finish line just north of Dam #1.
• Water depth: this will depend a lot on recent rainfall, and can vary from deep throughout, to a mixture of deep, suck, and some shallows, to - in worst case (usually only late summer) suck and shallow.
• Current: this will also depend a lot on recent rainfall. In high water, the current can be 6-8 mph near the start, slowing in the stretch above Dam #1 to 3-6 mph. In average water conditions, you may experience 3-5 mph at the start and 1-3 mph nearer Dam #1. There are a number of sharp turns with good eddy action.
• Dams: at medium or low level, a lowhead dam may be evident at mile 1.2, where you will find a useful notch to pass through, about two thirds towards the left bank.
• Mandatory portage: there is one short portage (20 yards) around the small Ryerson Dam at mile 6.
• Other obstructions: fallen trees may block part of the river from place to place. However, the Forest Preserves do a great job pre-race of clearing any major obstacles.

Dates & Times Return To Main Headings

Saturday, May 16th, 2009 for the Aluminum Nationals
Sunday, May 17th, 2009 for the Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon (for these start time details see the brochure, downloadable at www.canoemarathon.com)

Start details for the Aluminum Nationals:
• View Start Location Map
• Canoe drop-off at start area, from 7:00am. Drop your canoe of no later than 8:00am if you want to drive to the finish in time to catch the shuttle back to the start (allow at least 30 minutes drive time). See map.
• Paddlers may make their own shuttle arrangements or use the shuttle service provided. Shuttle bus for people and hand-luggage only (no canoes) will leave finish area at: 8:45am.
• Registration & check-in at start line area from 8:00 to 10:00.
• Mandatory pre-race meeting at 10:00 am.
• Races start at 10:30 am.
• Depending on participation, we may split up starts into Men Open, Men Master, Women Open, and Women Master.

Start & Finish Locations (see maps) Return To Main Headings

• View Start and Finish Location Maps
• Start: Put in at Townline Road Canoe Launch, west side of the Des Plaines River, Highway 60. Paddle through lagoon into river, then north 100 yards to road bridge.
• Finish: Just north of Dam #1. The finish will be marked with two colored buoys. Racers must finish between the buoys.

Parking Return To Main Headings

• Start area: Parking in the staging area at the Canoe Launch site is limited to race officials. Temporary parking to drop-off boats is permitted. Nearby of-site parking is possible in the shopping area. A better ideas is to shuttle your car to the finish line. For details see above under Start Details.
• Finish area: Parking is possible both sides of the river at this point, but we plan to have official parking on the east side of the river, which can be accessed of Dundee Road to the north, at the end of 1.15 miles of Forest Preserve road.

Shuttle: Return To Main Headings

Drop off boats at start area from 7:00 am. Allow at least 30 minutes to drive your car to the finish area to catch the shuttle back to the start. Shuttle will leave the finish area to head to the start area at 8:45 am sharp. Or arrange a private shuttle with your family, friends, or friendly competitors. Race meeting at 10:00 am. Races start at 10:30 am.

FREE entry for Aluminum Nationals participants in the Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon Return To Main Headings

All paddlers who who PREREGISTER and compete in the Aluminum Nationals will receive a complimentary FREE entry into the Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon the following day, provided they have completed all forms and waivers. Note: On your entry form for the Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon, check the box for Aluminum Nationals competitor. Day-of-race registration is permitted, but day-of-race registrants will not receive free entry into Sunday's race.

FREE USCA membership for Junior participants Return To Main Headings

Junior participants (i.e. any paddlers who have not reached the age of 18 as of midnight, December 31, 2008) will receive free membership to United States Canoe Association – a requirement for participation in the Aluminum Nationals – courtesy the Des Plaines River Association. Any Junior participants who are already 2009 paid-up Junior members of USCA will receive a $7.50 credit to their race entry fee: please bring your membership card as proof of membership.

Aluminum Canoe Marathon Junior Challenge Return To Main Headings

Junior teams from Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, High Schools, or any other youth group whose participants are Juniors by USCA definition (i.e. who have not reached the age of 18 as of midnight December 31st, 2008) may compete for special Aluminum Canoe Marathon awards at the same time as they participate in the USCA National Stock Aluminum Canoe Marathon Championships. Just enter the name of the Junior Group you represent on the entry form.
• Click here for the High School version of the Junior Challenge flyer.
• Click here for the Scouts version of the Junior Challenge flyer.

Registration & Fees Return To Main Headings

• Adults: $45 per person (includes free entry to the Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon - see above).
• Junior: $22.50 per person (includes free entry to the Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon - see above).
• USCA membership is required to participate in a National Championship Race on May 16.
  • Get Aluminum Nationals & Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon Registration Forms & Waiver
  • Get USCA Membership Form
  • Get Aluminum Nationals & Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon Brochure

Directions to Start Area Return To Main Headings

From O'Hare Airport
Exit airport, take 190E 1.5 miles to exit 1C to I-294 North for 13.5 miles, merge to I-94 W for 2.4 miles, exit to State Hwy 22/Half Day Road, turning left for 2 miles, turn right on Olde Half Day Road 0.4 miles, turn right at S Milwaukee Avenue, go 2.5 miles, turn right on Hwy 60 (Townline Road) for a half mile, turn right into Canoe Launch area (just before crossing river).

From Midway Airport
Exit airport, take a right at Cicero Avenue (Hwy 550) for 1.8 miles, turn right on I-55 North for 4.3 miles to exit 292A: join I-94 W / I-90 W for about 10.5 miles, take I-94 exit towards Milwaukee for about 21 miles, exit to State Hwy 22/Half Day Road, turning left for 2 miles, turn right on Olde Half Day Road 0.4 miles, turn right at S Milwaukee Avenue, go 2.5 miles, turn right on Hwy 60 (Townline Road) for a half mile, turn right into Canoe Launch area (just before crossing river).

From the north on I-94 E
Coming south (in fact) on I-94 East, exit to State Hwy 60/Townline Road, turning right for 2 miles, turn left into Canoe Launch area (just after crossing river). From the northwest on I-90, exit onto Hwy 53 North, go about 7 miles, exit onto Lake Cook Road/County Line Road and go east 1.8 miles, left at N Arlington Heights Road, go 1.4 miles, left at Rte 83 N, go 1.7 miles, turn right on State Hwy 22 for three miles, left at Milwaukee Road/Hwy 45, go 2.8 miles, turn right on Hwy 60 (Townline Road) for a half mile, turn right into Canoe Launch area (just before crossing river).

From the south on I-294 N, fed from the east south or west on any of I-80, I-88, I-55, I-57
Just head on past O'Hare airport for 13.5 miles, merge to I-94 W for 2.4 miles, exit to State Hwy 22/Half Day Road, turning left for 2 miles, turn right on Olde Half Day Road 0.4 miles, turn right at S Milwaukee Avenue, go 2.5 miles, turn right on Hwy 60 (Townline Road) for a half mile, turn right into Canoe Launch area (just before crossing river).