The Des Plaines River Canoe & Kayak Marathon is ON this Sunday, May 19, 2019.
However, the river is high and the current is strong. So, please read this announcement.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT & SAFETY ALERT MAY 17-19, 2019
1. NOVICE PADDLER ADVISORY IN EFFECT.
2. LIFE JACKETS ARE MANDATORY FOR ALL PADDLERS.
3. EXPERIENCED PADDLERS BE ALERT FOR OTHER PADDLERS IN TROUBLE.
4. We will notify via email and www.CANOEMARATHON.com if there is reason to cancel the race.
EXPLANATION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Heavy rains over a week ago caused the Des Plaines River to rise above flood stage (Gurnee gauge). From last Sunday the river level has been dropping steadily, and has been below flood stage since Wednesday evening. The Des Plaines River Association has been monitoring the river and considering whether conditions warrant canceling the race.
The rains on Thursday and Friday have interrupted the gradual fall, but we believe the level will still be below Flood Stage on Sunday, race day. The Des Plaines River Canoe & Kayak Marathon board has therefore determined to proceed with the race.
HOWEVER, we strongly advise beginners to consider carefully whether they should participate.
NOVICE PADDLER ADVISORY IN EFFECT. Read “Important Questions” below.
If you are a beginner, or have little experience with maneuvering a boat in fast-moving, pushy, changeable current, and powerful eddies, or have any qualms about your boat-handling ability WE STRONGLY ADVISE THAT YOU DO NOT PARTICIPATE in the race this Sunday. If you decide to withdraw for this reason, let us know and we will issue a refund through the registration system. Please read the questionnaire below which may help you assess whether you should participate this year. If you choose not to race for safety reasons, please contact us as soon as possible at info@canoemarathon.com with your names and boat number.
Remember: if you get into trouble on the water, you risk not only your own life, but your partner's and your rescuers' lives too.
LIFE JACKETS ARE MANDATORY FOR ALL PADDLERS.
The proper wearing of US Coastguard approved PFDs (life jackets) will be mandatory for ALL participants. Racers without PFDs or not wearing them in proper fashion will be disqualified – and will be regarded as not having participated in the race.
EXPERIENCED PADDLERS BE ALERT FOR OTHER PADDLERS IN TROUBLE.
We ask experienced paddlers to be alert to other paddlers who may be in trouble, and be ready to help – either by calling for help or, if you can help directly without endangering yourself, please do so.
Thank you.
The Des Plaines River Association
Important Questions to Ask Yourself
The Des Plaines River is expected to be below flood stage and meets the safety requirements of the Race Committee for holding the event. However, it is high and the current is swift and tricky in places. This is not a course for the beginning paddler or anyone unsure of their paddling skills in dealing with moving water.
Please review the following yes or no questions. If your responses to any are no, we urge you to consider taking a refund and withdraw from this year’s. If you want to withdraw from paddling this year out of concern for your safety (or the safety of a partner, or the safety of anyone who might try to rescue you) let us know and will refund you. Contact info@canoemarathon.com with your decision, names and boat number.
Only You Know...
1. Am I willing to wear a US Coast Guard approved PFD (life jacket)?
2. Do I really have the skill to steer my craft away from brush, low-hanging branches and floating logs in fast, pushy current?
3. Can I tell water flowing in the main channel from water drifting across a flood plain fraught with trees and brush?
4. If I become uncomfortable with being on the water, would I be willing to seek assistance from the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service monitors at bridge crossings?
5. Am I willing to pause to assist a struggling fellow-paddler?
6. ...and will I be able to assess the situation so as not to put myself in danger in the process and, instead, call or go for help?
Thank you for thinking carefully about these important issues. If you answer no to any of the questions above or if you are unsure about anything, please talk with a race official.
We wish you an enjoyable and successful and most of all, safe day on the river!
However, the river is high and the current is strong. So, please read this announcement.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT & SAFETY ALERT MAY 17-19, 2019
1. NOVICE PADDLER ADVISORY IN EFFECT.
2. LIFE JACKETS ARE MANDATORY FOR ALL PADDLERS.
3. EXPERIENCED PADDLERS BE ALERT FOR OTHER PADDLERS IN TROUBLE.
4. We will notify via email and www.CANOEMARATHON.com if there is reason to cancel the race.
EXPLANATION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Heavy rains over a week ago caused the Des Plaines River to rise above flood stage (Gurnee gauge). From last Sunday the river level has been dropping steadily, and has been below flood stage since Wednesday evening. The Des Plaines River Association has been monitoring the river and considering whether conditions warrant canceling the race.
The rains on Thursday and Friday have interrupted the gradual fall, but we believe the level will still be below Flood Stage on Sunday, race day. The Des Plaines River Canoe & Kayak Marathon board has therefore determined to proceed with the race.
HOWEVER, we strongly advise beginners to consider carefully whether they should participate.
NOVICE PADDLER ADVISORY IN EFFECT. Read “Important Questions” below.
If you are a beginner, or have little experience with maneuvering a boat in fast-moving, pushy, changeable current, and powerful eddies, or have any qualms about your boat-handling ability WE STRONGLY ADVISE THAT YOU DO NOT PARTICIPATE in the race this Sunday. If you decide to withdraw for this reason, let us know and we will issue a refund through the registration system. Please read the questionnaire below which may help you assess whether you should participate this year. If you choose not to race for safety reasons, please contact us as soon as possible at info@canoemarathon.com with your names and boat number.
Remember: if you get into trouble on the water, you risk not only your own life, but your partner's and your rescuers' lives too.
LIFE JACKETS ARE MANDATORY FOR ALL PADDLERS.
The proper wearing of US Coastguard approved PFDs (life jackets) will be mandatory for ALL participants. Racers without PFDs or not wearing them in proper fashion will be disqualified – and will be regarded as not having participated in the race.
EXPERIENCED PADDLERS BE ALERT FOR OTHER PADDLERS IN TROUBLE.
We ask experienced paddlers to be alert to other paddlers who may be in trouble, and be ready to help – either by calling for help or, if you can help directly without endangering yourself, please do so.
Thank you.
The Des Plaines River Association
Important Questions to Ask Yourself
The Des Plaines River is expected to be below flood stage and meets the safety requirements of the Race Committee for holding the event. However, it is high and the current is swift and tricky in places. This is not a course for the beginning paddler or anyone unsure of their paddling skills in dealing with moving water.
Please review the following yes or no questions. If your responses to any are no, we urge you to consider taking a refund and withdraw from this year’s. If you want to withdraw from paddling this year out of concern for your safety (or the safety of a partner, or the safety of anyone who might try to rescue you) let us know and will refund you. Contact info@canoemarathon.com with your decision, names and boat number.
Only You Know...
1. Am I willing to wear a US Coast Guard approved PFD (life jacket)?
2. Do I really have the skill to steer my craft away from brush, low-hanging branches and floating logs in fast, pushy current?
3. Can I tell water flowing in the main channel from water drifting across a flood plain fraught with trees and brush?
4. If I become uncomfortable with being on the water, would I be willing to seek assistance from the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service monitors at bridge crossings?
5. Am I willing to pause to assist a struggling fellow-paddler?
6. ...and will I be able to assess the situation so as not to put myself in danger in the process and, instead, call or go for help?
Thank you for thinking carefully about these important issues. If you answer no to any of the questions above or if you are unsure about anything, please talk with a race official.
We wish you an enjoyable and successful and most of all, safe day on the river!