Thursday, November 5, 2015

GRANDVIEW TO KLONDIKE

We are planning a cruise from Grandview to Klondike on Sunday November 8, 2015 at 1:00 PM.  We will meet at Grandview boat launch at 1:00 and shuttle the vehicles first, anyone wishing to join us is welcome.  If you have any questions you can call Dave at 605-366-6844 or Mary at 605-366-3924.


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

CRUISE 57 to 26 & Wetland clean-up

We’re going to cruise the Big Sioux River, from 57th (Farm Field) to 26th (Rotary-Norlin Park) on Sunday, Nov. 1.  Meet at Farm Field at 1:00 pm to shuttle before the cruise.

When we arrive at 26th street access, we’ll take an hour or so to pick up trash in the area.  This is a SDCKA commitment to clean this “Adopted Wetland” twice a year.  Bags and latex gloves will be provided.

Hope to see you there!! 

Mary Finck
President
SD Canoe & Kayak Association

Cell: 605-366-3924 




Monday, October 19, 2015

Partnership with ACA, LL Bean Leads to Safer Streams

The South Dakota Canoe & Kayak Association sends its thanks to the American Canoe Association for its help in developing paddler-friendly gates on the Split Rock Creek and Big Sioux River.

The ACA helped us to apply for and receive a Club Fostered Stewardship Grant from L.L. Bean. The funds were used to build and install gates like the ones in these photos. The gates make sure paddlers avoid fences while not encumbering livestock-owning land owners with the issues of lost cattle or other problems.

Funding allowed for volunteers including Mitchell Joldersma, Norwood "Woody" Baybridge, Dave Schaefer and Dave Finck, along with others, to construct a gate. Plans for more projects will be announced here and on our Facebook page. If you would like to help out, please contact a SDCKA board member via this site's comments section or by Facebook instant message. Thanks again to all who put in the time and effort to make Project Safe Passage a success.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

President's Cruise October 10

Please join me for the President’s Cruise from Lien Park (Sioux Falls) to Brandon on Saturday, October 10.  Shuttle from Lien Park at 1:00 Saturday afternoon.

Lien Park is off Cliff Avenue, north of Rice Street.  We will exit the river at the access near Big Sioux Rec.

There is camping available at Big Sioux Rec if you are interested.

Hope to see you there!

Mary Finck
President
SD Canoe & Kayak Association

Cell: 605-366-3924




Tuesday, June 9, 2015


The drawing for the winner of the kayak & other prizes offered in the SF Whitewater Park fund raising raffle will be drawn on Saturday, June 13 at Sun N Fun.  There is an open house from 11:00 to 3:00 at Sun N Fun.  Mitchell, the driving force behind this effort, will be available to answer questions regarding plans and the progress of the whitewater park.

Then on Sunday, June 14 – SF Whitewater Park is hosting a cruise on the Big Sioux from Farm Field access on 57th near Western Avenue, to Kilian College.  This is a celebration cruise, to celebrate the successful raffle and the efforts to bring a whitewater park to our area.  

Want everyone on the water by 1.  We plan on transporting people as early as 1130.

If you have questions, please contact Mitchell at Mitchell.joldersma@hotmail.com

Hope to see you Sunday!


Mary Finck
President
SD Canoe & Kayak Association

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

JUNE 7: ADAPTIVE PADDLING FAIR
9:30-11:00 AM
 ANNUAL PADDLING FAIR
1-4 PM
FAMILY LAKE (12TH & TEA ELLIS RD) IN SIOUX FALLS

WOULD YOU AND YOUR FAMILY LIKE TO TRY KAYAKING, CANOEING, OR STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING? JOIN US THIS SUNDAY AT FAMILY LAKE TO TEST DRIVE A WIDE VARIETY OF KAYAKS, CANOES AND SUPS. BOATS, PADDLES, LIFE JACKETS, INSTRUCTIONS, AND ON-WATER GUIDANCE WILL BE PROVIDED. COME INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY TO A GREAT OUTDOOR ACTIVITY. FREE. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. 

SDCKA WILL PARTNER WITH CITY OF SIOUX FALLS, SD - PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND SUN N FUN.  WE NEED LOTS OF HELP FOR THE AFTERNOON SESSION.  

 Please check out the Paddling Fair event and consider joining us for our upcoming Paddling Fairs this Sunday June 7, 2015.   We always need a lot of hands available for the afternoon session. We would also appreciate you sharing your boats, paddles, life jackets, and experience with people interested in the sport. You do not need to attend both as they are each unique and separate. The morning fair is very rewarding personally. The afternoon fair is equally as rewarding for the sheer volume of people that may come if the weather is nice. We look forward to seeing you at Family Lake Park.


Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Great Efforts to Get More People on (White) Water

Mitchell Joldersma, a SDCKA member and board member, is leading the charge to get more folks on whitewater in South Dakota.

He's established a non-profit that hopes to develop a whitewater park near Sioux Falls. The club is offering a fund-raiser raffle right now.

The Argus Leader recently did a story on Joldersma's efforts. The story tells of how a recreational attraction like a whitewater park could be a boon for the community.

You can get tons of details on fast-moving water opportunities from Joldersma and his team, too. The SDKCA is proud to support this new effort that will help more paddlers have fun on the water.

Good luck, Mitchell!

Thursday, May 21, 2015

S D KAYAK CHALLENGE

WELCOME KAYAK CHALLENGE RACERS, VOLUNTEERS AND PARTICIPANTS 
This is it!  The weekend of the 72 mile Challenge Race on the Missouri!  As racers and volunteers, we are so pleased to be a part of this  event.  We hope for good weather, good health to all the participants, and good fortune in avoiding the sand bars!  Thanks to the organizers & Dept. of Tourism, and all those involved for providing a great opportunity to celebrate & enjoy this river, the scenery, the fellowship – and the best entertainment available – paddling SD waters.

Check out sdkayakchallenge.org for more information & the race results.

Mary Finck
President
SD Canoe & Kayak Association
 2015 Schedule
Friday, May 22
2:00 - 10:00 p.m. Check in at Riverside Park (west entrance), Yankton
5:30 p.m. Shuttle leaves the Marina Inn, South Sioux City, NE for Yankton
7:00 p.m. Mandatory safety briefing - Riverside Park, Yankton
7:45 p.m. Support crew briefing - Riverside Park, Yankton
8:00 p.m. FREE supper for racers - Riverside Park Picnic Shelter, Yankton
Free overnight camping at Riverside Park

Hotel - Best Western Kelly Inn Yankton
Saturday, May 23
5:35 a.m. Boat check-in at starting line - Riverside Park
7:00 a.m. SHARP - Start - All classes
Approx 9:00 p.m. - Awards ceremony at HQ tent at boat ramp, South Sioux City, NE
Race Hotel - Marina Inn, South Sioux City, NEAsk for "Kayak Challenge" block of rooms
Campground - Scenic Park Campground, South Sioux City, NEYou can sign-up to camp in our tent city at the finish when you check-in on Friday. $10 per tent. No open fires. Showers available, but are a short walk away. Have a camper? Give us a call and we'll find you a spot at the finish. 
Sunday, May 24
1:00 p.m. Race ends

Thursday, May 7, 2015

May 16: Big Sioux River Greenway Clean-up

SDCKA is again assisting with the City of Sioux Falls 2nd Annual Big Sioux River Greenway Clean-up, which will be held May 16 from 8-11am. Our adopted park is Legacy (W 12th & Marion). No boats needed.




More info can be found here: http://www.siouxfalls.org/public-works/environmental-recycling-hazardous/greenway-cleanup.aspx

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Great Events Down on the River!

The South Dakota Canoe & Kayak Association will host a booth at the Missouri River Rendezvous on May 2 in Yankton's Riverside Park.

The Rendezvous is part of three offerings paddlers might enjoy. The first is the 8:30 a.m. National Park Service River Cleanup. You can get on the water (in a power boat) and help keep the Missouri National Recreational River pristine.

The cleanup ends about 11:30 a.m., and around 12:30 p.m. the Dam N Back Trek, a new paddling race, begins (and ends) at Riverside Park. Racers will go against-current toward the Gavins Point Dam, then return.

The Rendezvous features two dozen outdoors exhibits, including ours! We'd love to see you down in Yankton this weekend! The expo continues until 5 p.m. Email Jarett with questions or just come down to the River!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Several of us are going from Farmfield Park on 57th just west of Western Ave to east 26th boat launch Wednesday April 29
We will meet at 57th at 1:00 PM and shuttle first.  Anyone wishing to join us is welcome. If you have any questions you can call me at 605-366-6844.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

EARTH DAY WETLAND AND RIVER CLEAN-UP

26th Street Canoe Access, Sioux Falls, SD WEDNESDAY APRIL 22, 2015 AT 5:30 PM

Join us as we clean-up our adopted wetland and the Big Sioux River in celebration of Earth Day.  We will be conducting both a land and water clean-up...so boats are optional.  Bags will be provided.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

LAKE ALVIN

Woody and I and a few others are going lake Alvin at 1:00 P M on Friday March 20th, 2015 we will meet at the east boat ramp in the State Park. Anyone wishing to join us is more than welcome. Weather forecast is the mid 60's water is cold dress appropriately.

Friday, January 16, 2015

2015 Annual Conference Agenda



Saturday, January 31, 2015
11:00 – 3:30 p.m.

The Outdoor Campus
4500 S. Oxbow Ave
Sioux Falls, S.D.

11:00   Social / Booths The Outdoor Campus Lobby

12:00   Welcome
Steven Dahlmeier, President - SDCKA

12:05   The South Dakota Canoe & Kayak Association: Past, Present, Future
            Steven Dahlmeier, President - SDCKA

12:20   Racing: How to Prepare
Braxton Carter

12:30   MR 340: Team Racing
Kati Albers, Board Member - SDCKA

12:40   Missouri National Recreational River
Lisa Yager, National Park Service - Biologist

1:00     Boat Building Adventures
            Matt Story, Board Member - SDCKA

1:20     Business Meeting / Election of Officers

1:30     Break - Booths

1:50     Keeping Our Waterways Clean
City of Sioux Falls

2:10     The Jay Heath Legacy: South Dakota Waterways
SDCKA Board Members

2:35     American Canoe Association
Christopher Stec, ACA Chief Operating Officer

3:00     Whitewater!
Dave Hillman, Board Member - Iowa Whitewater Coalition
   

3:30     Closing
            Steven Dahlmeier, President - SDCKA 

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Annual Conference

 The Annual Conference is fast approaching. We hope you can join us in Sioux Falls on January 31 at The Outdoor Campus. Presentations run from noon to 3:30pm and include Missouri National Recreational River Staff, Dave Hillman and Mitchell Joldersma talking Whitewater, SDCKA Board led discussion on the best places to paddle in South Dakota. We'll also have presentations on how to prepare for a kayak race and how to race as a team. Matt Story, SDCKA VP, will present on boat building and we'll have a presentation on the important of protecting the waterways in South Dakota. We hope you can join us!