Fox River Overall Fastest Known Paddle: 1D 19H 59M

Wally Werderich (52, of Yorkville, IL) & Mike Kies (53, of Elmhurst, IL)

186.92 miles

(this is also the fastest tandem male FKP)

Supported

Start: Mitchell Park Water Access, Brookfield, Wisconsin 5:02am April 30, 2025

Finish: Confluence with Illinois River, Ottawa, Illinois 1:01am May 2, 2025

Boat Used: Wenonah Minnesota 2

Trackers used: Garmin 54st and a Garmin Etrex Vista Cx and a Garmin InReach 2 tracking through RaceOwl.

Online guide and maps at the Fabulous Fox Water Trail website

Trip Report from Wally Werderich:

The FKP is for the Fabulous Fox Water Trail. The trip began at the dock at Mitchell Park North in Brookfield, WI and ended at the confluence of the Fox and Illinois Rivers in Ottawa, IL.
*The water level was very low for May. The water level on most parts of the Fox were like conditions you might find in August.
*The conditions for the trip were difficult. Night/morning temperatures dipped to the high 30 low 40 degree range. In the afternoon and evening of 4-30-25, 15 MPH headwinds were encountered. In the afternoon and evening of 5-1-25, up to 25 MPH head winds were encountered. Overnight into the late morning between 4-30-25 to 5-1-25 it rained 1.25 inches.
*3 extra portages were necessary to get around areas of the river that were blocked by trees. These extra portages were in the in the headwaters area near Waukesha, WI.
*The trip was tracked on RaceOwl: https://raceowl.com/FastestFox25
*The trip was documented by the ground crew at the team's facebook page found here: https://www.facebook.com/PaddleForParks

*Paddlers on the team were Wally Werdrich, 52 years old from Yorkville, IL and Mike Kies 54 years old from Elmhurst, IL

*Ground Crew was Belem Werderich from Yorkville, IL, Anita Werderich from Bartlett, IL, Sara Orys from Grosse Point Woods, MI and Alex VanSlyke from South Haven, MI

The trip took place beginning on April 30, 2025 at 5:02am and finished on May 2, at 1:01am. The FKP was a fundraiser to raise money for scholarships through the Illinois Parks and Recreation Foundation. Taking place on the 188 mile Fabulous Fox, Fox River Water Trail, the trip began near the source of the Fox at the dock at Mitchell Park, North in Brookfield, WI and ended at the confluence of the Fox and Illinois Rivers in Ottawa, IL. There are 15 dams on the river which need to be portaged. The Fox was uncharacteristically low for the beginning of May with water levels much like what is usually seen in July and August. After leaving the first day of the trip, the team had nice weather after beginning in 38 degree temperatures at 5am. At about 1pm on the first day, the wind picked up with a headwind blowing at about 10 to 15 MPH. The wind was particularly strong crossing Lake Tichigan. The winds died down as night fell with a quartering tail wind as the paddlers crossed the Chain of Lakes. Upon completing the crossing of the Chain, rain began to fall and would continue all night and well into the next morning. The team paddled overnight through the strong downpour and cold conditions. Going into day 2, the team entered the familiar territory of Kane and Kendall counties. They were greeted by many people who came to the bank to wish them well. Many of the members of the team live and/or work near this part of the river. With buoyed spirits, the team was once again hit with fierce headwinds up to 20 MPH from about 1pm through 7pm. As dusk fell, the team reached Southern Kendall and the LaSalle County area of the Fox. This area features majestic bluffs and is sparce in population. Luckily for the team, the conditions became calm again about 9pm. The team paddled through darkness reaching the confluence of the Illinois River just after 1am. Both paddlers agreed that they were physically and mentally pushed hard, but the effort was very rewarding. They also agreed that it would have been extremely difficult to succeed in finishing the paddle without the help of their fantastic ground crew and they cannot thank them enough. Also a huge debt of gratitude from the team goes to everyone who cheered the team on and donated to the fundraiser.