Welcome back to the SDCA blog and Web site, there's news afoot, and here's a brief glimpse at a few things we'll be developing in the near-term:
1) The board met at Dick's place last week, and we discussed plans for the 2009 South Dakota Canoe Association annual meeting. It'll start around noon, Jan. 24, 2009, at the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls. All members are welcome, and bring a friend or two, newcomers to kayaking and canoes, perhaps, we will have a jam-packed program including:
Pat Wellner, a Pierre member, will take us through a few routes in the Pierre area for travelers. Remember, the water stays open all year there, so Pat's presentation might help dial you in for a little Nov. through Feb. paddling excursion.
Jay Heath and Jarett Bies will each present some recon reports on new lakes and new ideas they developed in their exploration over the last summer and fall. Jay purchased a after-market sail for his kayak and may explain some insights on its use, while Jarett's got some more info on a great small town to use as a base for Lake Superior exploration.
Dick Davidson will narrate and show slides from one of his many northern Canada/Arctic adventures.
There will be two paddlers who will have roster space and information about Boundary Waters Canoe Area adventures in 2009, for paddlers who might want to target that famous paddling spot next year.
Plus much more to be announced, along with the SDCA business meeting, to include the election of officers for next year. The board has a few openings and the club as a whole almost always benefits from fresh blood at the top. Write any board member with questions on that part of the meeting.
In addition to the Jan. 24 event, we'll plan a pool training session in Sioux Falls between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we'll probably have another one after that but before the meeting. Those details are to be announced, but we will seek to set it up for a Saturday afternoon, probably Dec. 6, 13, or 20. Still working out the details on that, and when we have them, we'll post it and get the word out.
The SDCA newletter will be back in the mail next week for all members, highlighting these ideas and a few others.
In the interest of community, we hope to get feedback from paddlers about winter storage and add it to this blog in the next week or two. If you have some insights on what to do (or not to do) when it comes to keeping a boat over winter, share for newcomers.
Hope everyone is warm, happy, and ready to do some pool training, and to the hardy souls still paddling this late in the season, please do so with care, we want to see you on the water next spring, or at the pool.
Jarett
Saturday, November 15, 2008
It's alive!
Hi friends, and yes, this blog is not dead, news is coming, with a new posting today, so don't forget us the way I have forgotten blogging for way too long.
The board met Thursday and we'll have some news about upcoming pool events and the annual SDCA meeting, that's coming up January 2009 in Sioux Falls at the Outdoor Campus.
Apologies for the long delay, more news coming as soon as I get some plastic on the windows.
Jarett
The board met Thursday and we'll have some news about upcoming pool events and the annual SDCA meeting, that's coming up January 2009 in Sioux Falls at the Outdoor Campus.
Apologies for the long delay, more news coming as soon as I get some plastic on the windows.
Jarett
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Another cruise (or two) coming up
Rejoice, paddling Sodak nation-state: Temps will be back in the 78 to 81 range, this weekend, so here's to hoping all get out and paddle.
Regardless of your plans, there's news to announce on upcoming trips:
Pat Wellner and John Adler are heading up a multi-day cruise the Missouri River between Yankton and Vermillion the weekend of Oct. 10.
We are a tight-knit group, so many of you may already know about it, but for details, hit Pat's site:
http://www.piratesofthemissouri.com/
As mentioned, Gene will lead a Split Rock/Big Sioux cruise out of Brandon Oct. 4.
Larry Braaten and I want to put another cruise on before Gene's, perhaps as early as this Sunday if people have ideas.
The weekend of Sept. 27-28 is another possibility. E-mail me, or call Larry, if you'd like to join us.
Targets include a Mo River run, Burbank to Elk Point, or High Lines to Clay County. Or perhaps Clay County to Burbank.
Lastly, the Big Sioux River Recreation Corridor Council is having their annual fall run, but it is in October. No date or link here as their site is not updated.
It's a good time of year (when it's not like last weekend) to get out and suck up as much Zen-time on the water as possible. It will soon be too late. And yes, the newsletter is upcoming, asap.
Please post/share/call/pass it for those without e-mail/Internet.
Jarett
FYI, the "short-notice cruise planner" is no longer; it was a spambot magnet.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Oct 4th: Split Rock / Big Sioux Cruise
Come and join us for a Fall Canoe Cruise from McHardy Park, in Brandon, to the Highway 38/42 bridge at historic East Sioux Falls (The Arboretum) on Saturday, October 4, 2008.
Meet at 1:00 P.M. at McHardy Park in Brandon. This route has short stretches of flat water with gentle class 1 rapids. A pole is useful on Splitrock Creek when the water is low such as last year when we divided into two groups with one going down Splitrock as planned and one going from the Madison Bridge south of Brandon. Deer, fish, muskrat, ducks, owls and other wildlife may be seen. The cruise takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the water conditions and the skill and goals of the paddlers. Bring a camera, snacks, and some drinking water and enjoy an afternoon on the water. An alternate route is planned in case the water on Splitrock Creek is low. The put in and takeout may be altered depending on conditions. Life vests are required. For more information contact Eugene Preston 605/582-2573.
Meet at 1:00 P.M. at McHardy Park in Brandon. This route has short stretches of flat water with gentle class 1 rapids. A pole is useful on Splitrock Creek when the water is low such as last year when we divided into two groups with one going down Splitrock as planned and one going from the Madison Bridge south of Brandon. Deer, fish, muskrat, ducks, owls and other wildlife may be seen. The cruise takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the water conditions and the skill and goals of the paddlers. Bring a camera, snacks, and some drinking water and enjoy an afternoon on the water. An alternate route is planned in case the water on Splitrock Creek is low. The put in and takeout may be altered depending on conditions. Life vests are required. For more information contact Eugene Preston 605/582-2573.
Monday, August 25, 2008
James River
A big thank you to everyone who traveled to Mitchell and participated in Sunday's paddle down the James River. The weather - and the company - was perfect. It's always fun to experience new waterways in South Dakota.
For more photos from Sunday's paddle, visit Jay Heath's blog
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
James River trip set for Aug. 24 near Mitchell
The August SDCA cruise will tackle the James River, and we'll launch boats at 10:15 a.m. on the 24th at the put-in located on state Highway 38, just north of I-90, just a couple miles east of Mitchell. (The highway is also called E. Havens Avenue and 254th St. on various online maps.
View Larger Map
The route will cover about 12 to 17 river miles, downstream, heading towards the colonies located southwest of Alexandria. The free SDCA shuttle service will be in full effect, and we're hoping to get a good group for a trip on this "new-to-many" river.
The put-in is located on the south side of 38 and should provide plenty of space for assembly.
The take-out point is located at a bridge located on 257th St. There are additional potential take-out points further south along the river, and it'll be a game-day decision on the length of the route. A dam at Rockport Colony would probably be the stopping point, marking the maximum distance for this cruise.
The river is somewhat low and it will run more slowly than the Big Sioux River does, even now, so if we have high temps, it will be a bit of a marathon. But there are plenty of places to rest, rehydrate, and perhaps grab a bit of grub.
I spoke with the GFP chap for Davison County and he said there's little if any debris and slow flow, so it should not pose any increased risk. I hope we'll have a great turn out for the event. E-mail me (jbies0341@hotmail.com) if you have questions or if you want to confirm your spot. No registration is required, naturally.
The map I included in this post should be "scrollable" meaning you can click on it and move in, out, etc., to see where we're paddling. If it's not your style, directions are included below.
Jarett
From the west: Take 90 to the second (eastern most) Mitchell exit, head north to 38, head east to the bridge.
From the east: Take 90 to the Riverside exit, head north to 38, head west to the bridge.
Planned route to the take-out: 38 back into Mitchell to 37, take that south to 257th St. Head east to the bridge. (I will scout the route in advance and assure we have a place to put the cars. So look for updates, or just come out.)
View Larger Map
The route will cover about 12 to 17 river miles, downstream, heading towards the colonies located southwest of Alexandria. The free SDCA shuttle service will be in full effect, and we're hoping to get a good group for a trip on this "new-to-many" river.
The put-in is located on the south side of 38 and should provide plenty of space for assembly.
The take-out point is located at a bridge located on 257th St. There are additional potential take-out points further south along the river, and it'll be a game-day decision on the length of the route. A dam at Rockport Colony would probably be the stopping point, marking the maximum distance for this cruise.
The river is somewhat low and it will run more slowly than the Big Sioux River does, even now, so if we have high temps, it will be a bit of a marathon. But there are plenty of places to rest, rehydrate, and perhaps grab a bit of grub.
I spoke with the GFP chap for Davison County and he said there's little if any debris and slow flow, so it should not pose any increased risk. I hope we'll have a great turn out for the event. E-mail me (jbies0341@hotmail.com) if you have questions or if you want to confirm your spot. No registration is required, naturally.
The map I included in this post should be "scrollable" meaning you can click on it and move in, out, etc., to see where we're paddling. If it's not your style, directions are included below.
Jarett
From the west: Take 90 to the second (eastern most) Mitchell exit, head north to 38, head east to the bridge.
From the east: Take 90 to the Riverside exit, head north to 38, head west to the bridge.
Planned route to the take-out: 38 back into Mitchell to 37, take that south to 257th St. Head east to the bridge. (I will scout the route in advance and assure we have a place to put the cars. So look for updates, or just come out.)
Friday, July 18, 2008
Maps for July 26 Big Sioux River cruise
I'm posting an overview map of the cruise for July 26. Just a reminder, we'll start the cruise at noon and hope to get the shuttling of vehicles completed before that, so come early to get that wrangled.
I'm including images of the start and end points as well. Remember, you can click on these images and see them in a larger size. Also, using Google maps, you can dial in all the information you might need, don't forget to use their satellite, terrain, and map features together, it's what I do. E-mail me, Jarett Bies, at jbies0341@hotmail.com with any questions.
I'm including images of the start and end points as well. Remember, you can click on these images and see them in a larger size. Also, using Google maps, you can dial in all the information you might need, don't forget to use their satellite, terrain, and map features together, it's what I do. E-mail me, Jarett Bies, at jbies0341@hotmail.com with any questions.
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