Friday, December 15, 2017



THE SDCKA Annual Meeting is January 20th at the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls from 11am - 4pm.  Presentations from 12pm - 3:30pm with more social time this year! Please plan to attend, we'll have more info soon!

Monday, September 18, 2017

PRESIDENTS CRUISE 2017

2017 SDCKA PRESIDENT'S CRUISE

Hello to all SDCKA Members!

Summer is wrapping up but there’s some great paddling ahead as we get into fall. Your SDCKA Board thought what better place for the President’s Cruise than on the newly established Jay Heath Trail? This is a good chance to be with others and explore the route and see the new campsites installed for canoe and kayakers
.
The president's cruise will be September 30, 2017 at 11AM at hywy 18, about 3 miles east of Canton, SD.  We will meet there and shuttle vehicles to Newton Hills.  On Sunday October 1 we will shuttle to Fairview for the last part of the cruise. 

The Jay Heath Trail campsite is located across from canoe launch just before the entrance of the horse camp at at Newton Hills State Park,  we will meet here for a simple cook-out.

We also have the Jay Heath campsite reserved for Saturday night for anyone that would like to tent camp for the night. There are vault toilets available and water, or anyone wishing to camp in the Newton Hills State Park should get their reservations made (asap) the park fills up fast.  Mary and Dave Finck are in campsite # 4.  If you have any questions you can call me at 605-366-6844.




Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Jay Heath Water Trail Dedication June 13

Please consider joining us for an extra-special event at noon June 13. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks have dedicated a stretch of the Big Sioux River as the newly christened Jay Heath Water Trail and the ceremony to make it official is that Tuesday near Brandon.

Jay Heath was a longtime member of our club; he helped found it, in fact, back in 1981. He loved the water and his blog, Kayaking the Lakes of South Dakota has helped countless folks get on the water in our area. (A link to it is on the right side of this page.)

Join us for the event and if you wish, you can also bring your kayaks and take part in the inaugural Jay Heath Trail Cruise which follows after the dedication. It's about a one-hour cruise on the Big Sioux River, now named for our member.

We hope we'll see you there and that you'll spread the word about this event! Thank you -- here is a simple map to the site, 300 W. Holly Boulevard, Brandon, S.D.


Paddling Fairs This Weekend - June 10-11

Two free-for-the public paddling fairs are coming up this weekend - we hope you'll join us and spread the word.

The first event is Saturday, June 10 at Lake Yankton's Festival. It'll be from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Lake Yankton. Volunteers are welcome to help share the sport, and the public will use our boats to learn a bit more about kayaking.

The second event is a big one - the annual Paddling Fair at Family Lake is from 1-4 p.m. Sunday June 11. The lake is located on the west side of Sioux Falls (pictured) and usually hundreds of folks come out for this one.

We could use your help and hope you'll join one or both of these awesome shindigs! Feel free to call or write Jarett (605-941-4940) or Dave (605-366-6844) for more information!

Lake Yankton: Take Toe Road to near Chief White Crane State Park; the lake is on the left side, across the road from the tail races of the Gavins Point Dam. We'll be near the training dock.

Family Lake Park: Take W. 12th Street to Tea/Ellis Road. Park is on north side of 12th Street; you'll see the signs and our tent canopy.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Cleanups Galore - Please Consider Joining Us

April 22 is Earth Day and you can help!

The club will be completing its Greenway Cleanup at Legacy Park at the intersection of West 12th Street and Skunk Creek in Sioux Falls from 8:30 a.m.-noon, and we hope you'll join us. 

You can even bring your craft and do some bank-cleanup from the water. Going to be good weather, so join us.

If you're booked tomorrow, the National Park Service is hosting its annual Yankton Cleanup on May 6. That begins at 8 a.m. near the Riverside Park boat ramp.

Get involved! We'd love to see you there!

SDCKA SCHEDULED EVENTS 2017

2017 SDCKA SCHEDULED EVENTS


April
22- Greenway clean-up 9:00AM-12:00 noon
27  – Thursday on the Plaatz (Vermillion)

May
3 - Wetland clean-up
6  –  Dam N Back (Yankton)
9  –  Big Sioux Water Festival (SDSU Brookings) 9 -2
26-28 – SD Kayak Challenge (Yankton - S. Sioux City)

June
TBA - Big Sioux Water Trail (research trip)
11- Adaptive Paddling (Family Park, Sioux Falls) 9-noon
11 - Paddling Fair (Family Park, Sioux Falls) 1-4 pm
17 - Triathlon (Wall Lake) 7-10 am
24 - Friends of MNRR Picnic, Clay County Park and Goat Island, Vermillion area (time not yet set)


July
7-8  –  Fort to Field 50 (Fort Randall Dam, Springfield, SD) 7:30 am
29 – Lake Pelican Night Paddle & Movie (Watertown, SD) Dusk

August
5 – Outdoor University (The Outdoor Campus East, Sioux falls, SD) 10 am-3 pm
8-11 – MR340 Kansas City to St Charles (check website)
19 – Yankton Riverboat Days – 6 mile kayak race
19 – Sioux Falls River Fest – Canoe Rides at Cherapa. 5 – 8 pm

26-27 – Missouri National Recreational River Overnight   http://www.mnrr100.com

Monday, April 10, 2017

2017 SDCKA EVENTS UPDATE APRIL 10, 2017

2017 SDCKA SCHEDULED EVENTS

February
12- Pool Session EmBe (Sioux Falls) 10 am to Noon
26- Pool Session EmBe (Sioux Falls) 10 am to Noon

March
14-15 Sioux Empire Water Fest USF Stewart Center 8 am-3 pm

April
22- Greenway clean-up 9:00AM-12:00 noon
27  – Thursday on the Plaatz (Vermillion)

May
6  –  Dam N Back (Yankton)
9  –  Big Sioux Water Festival (SDSU Brookings) 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
TBD  –  Greenway Clean-up ( Legacy Park 8-11 a.m.)
26-28 – SD Kayak Challenge (Yankton - S. Sioux City)

June
TBA - Big Sioux Water Trail (research trip)
11- Adaptive Paddling (Family Park, Sioux Falls) 9-noon
11 - Paddling Fair (Family Park, Sioux Falls) 1-4 pm
17 - Triathlon (Wall Lake) 7-10 am
24 - Friends of MNRR Picnic, Clay County Park and Goat Island, Vermillion area (time not yet set)


July
7-8  –  Fort to Field 50 (Fort Randall Dam, Springfield, SD) 7:30 am
29 – Lake Pelican Night Paddle & Movie (Watertown, SD) Dusk

August
5 – Outdoor University (The Outdoor Campus East, Sioux falls, SD) 10 am-3 pm
8-11 – MR340 Kansas City to St Charles (check website)
19 – Yankton Riverboat Days – 6 mile kayak race
19 – Sioux Falls River Fest – Canoe Rides at Cherapa. 5 – 8 pm

26-27 – Missouri National Recreational River Overnight   http://www.mnrr100.com

Sunday, February 26, 2017

2017 SDCKA EVENTS

2017 SDCKA SCHEDULED EVENTS

February
12- Pool Session EmBe (Sioux Falls) 10 am to Noon
26- Pool Session EmBe (Sioux Falls) 10 am to Noon

March
14-15 Sioux Empire Water Fest USF Stewart Center 8 am-3 pm

April
27  – Thursday on the Plaatz (Vermillion)

May
6  –  Dam N Back (Yankton)
9  –  Big Sioux Water Festival (SDSU Brookings) 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
TBD  –  Greenway Clean-up ( Legacy Park 8-11 a.m.)
26-28 – SD Kayak Challenge (Yankton - S. Sioux City)

June
TBA - Big Sioux Water Trail (research trip)
11- Adaptive Paddling (Family Park, Sioux Falls) 9-noon
11 - Paddling Fair (Family Park, Sioux Falls) 1-4 pm
17 - Triathlon (Wall Lake) 7-10 am
24 - Friends of MNRR Picnic, Clay County Park and Goat Island, Vermillion area (time not yet set)


July
7-8  –  Fort to Field 50 (Fort Randall Dam, Springfield, SD) 7:30 am
29 – Lake Pelican Night Paddle & Movie (Watertown, SD) Dusk

August
5 – Outdoor University (The Outdoor Campus East, Sioux falls, SD) 10 am-3 pm
8-11 – MR340 Kansas City to St Charles (check website)
12 – Missouri National Recreational River Float (check website)
19 – Yankton Riverboat Days – 6 mile kayak race
19 – Sioux Falls River Fest – Canoe Rides at Cherapa Place 5 – 8 pm

Sunday, February 19, 2017

THREE POOL SESSIONS PLANNED

THREE POOL SESSIONS PLANNED SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26TH SIOUX FALLS, PIERRE, AND WATERTOWN.

    SDCKA has THREE POOL SESSIONS planned Sunday February 26,  2017 10:00 AM-Noon
(1) EMBE 300 W 11th St. Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104
Please make sure your boats are clean! A bucket of water will be available to wipe out your boats if needed.  Please call Norwood Baybridge ( Woody) 605-338-4184 or Mary Finck at 605-366-3924 or Dave Finck 605-366-6844 to let us know if you are coming or have any questions .  If you are a member of SDCKA there is no charge, if you don't belong there is a $10.00 fee, applications will be available if you wish to join SDCKA.  Hope to see you there .

      (2) Pat Wellner has  a pool session scheduled in Pierre concurrent with the Embe pool session on February 26.
The Pierre pool session is from 10 AM to noon at the Oahe YMCA. Please let Pat know if you plan to attend.
Pat Wellner (605) 222-7447

     (3) Roger Foote has scheduled a pool session in Watertown on Feb 26 - From 10 to noon at the Rec center. Bring your clean boat to the East door...members are free, 10 bucks gets you a membership! Please let him know if you plan on coming.  Roger Foote (605) 880-9943

Sunday, February 12, 2017

SDCKA NEW OFFICERS

The board for SDCKA was elected in the January Annual meeting and today they picked the following members at large for officers:

PRESIDENT.          Norwood Baybridge      1 year term
VICE PRESIDENT  David Mays.                   1 year term
SECRETARY           Roger Foote                  1 year term
TREASURER          Lee Schilling                  3 year term

Congratulations to the new officers and have a great year and a special thank you to the ones leaving office.

Monday, February 6, 2017

POOL SESSION SUNDAY

SDCKA POOL SESSION Sunday February 12, 2017 10:00 AM-Noon at EMBE 300 W 11th St. Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104
Please make sure your boats are clean! A bucket of water will be available to wipe out your boats if needed.  Please call Mary Finck at 605-366-3924 or Dave Finck 605-366-6844 to let us know if you are coming or have any questions .  If you are a member of SDCKA there is no charge, if you don't belong there is a $10.00 fee, applications will be available if you wish to join SDCKA.  Hope to see you there .


Monday, January 30, 2017

President's Report - Summary of Annual Conference

South Dakota Game Fish and Parks is updating the old Big Sioux Water Trail - we heard about that at the conference - there are already some campsites in place and they are building an App for paddlers to find the sites- some can only be reached by the water
We've enjoyed the improved access points & look forward to making some overnight trips on the Big Sioux. Thank you GFP!

The Missouri National Recreation River offers interpretive trips on this historical stretch of river. They fill up fast so check their web site if you are interested.  Friends of the MNRR are also planning a picnic on Goat Island and more-watch for their events on SDCKA blog & Facebook.

SDCKA will have another movie night at Lake Pelican on July 29 - showing Creature from the Black Lagoon along with a moonlight paddle.

More trips are being planned for the Misssouri, with overnight stays on the river, in addition to a number of races.

So - just waiting for ice out!!

And I want to thank the board of SDCKA-including the members of the original SDCA - for making this yearly event a success!

Mary Finck
President, SDCKA

Here's a robust list of SDCKA scheduled events coming up this year:

February
12- Pool Session EmBe (Sioux Falls) 10 am to Noon
26- Pool Session EmBe (Sioux Falls) 10 am to Noon

March
14-15 Sioux Empire Water Fest USF Stewart Center 8 am-3 pm

April
27  – Thursday on the Plaatz (Vermillion)

May
6  –  Dam N Back (Yankton)
9  –  Big Sioux Water Festival (SDSU Brookings) 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
TBD  –  Greenway Clean-up ( Legacy Park 8-11 a.m.)
26-28 – SD Kayak Challenge (Yankton - S. Sioux City)

June
TBA - Big Sioux Water Trail (research trip)
11- Adaptive Paddling (Family Park, Sioux Falls) 9-noon
11 - Paddling Fair (Family Park, Sioux Falls) 1-4 pm
17 - Triathlon (Wall Lake) 7-10 am
24 - Friends of MNRR Picnic, Clay County Park and Goat Island, Vermillion area (time not yet set)


July
7-8  –  Fort to Field 50 (Fort Randall Dam, Springfield, SD) 7:30 am
29 – Lake Pelican Night Paddle & Movie (Watertown, SD) Dusk

August
5 – Outdoor University (The Outdoor Campus East, Sioux falls, SD) 10 am-3 pm
8-11 – MR340 Kansas City to St Charles (check website)
12 – Missouri National Recreational River Float (check website)
19 – Yankton Riverboat Days – 6 mile kayak race
19 – Sioux Falls River Fest – Canoe Rides at Cherapa Place 5 – 8 pm

Thanks for joining us at annual conference!

The SDCKA annual conference brought about five dozen paddling enthusiasts out on Jan. 28, where a wealth of information was shared on chances to paddle across our region and state. Presenters shared insight on a pair of River Friends groups that have formed, and a lot of the information shared was on methods to clean up our waterways for future use.






President Mary Finck was honored as well. She is the first woman to helm the club since it was founded back in 1979. She also doled out honors in the form of awards for two club leaders, Steven Dahlmeier and Cory Diedrich, who earned the Jay Heath and Dick Davidson awards this go-round.


In all, the event was lively and spirited and a lot of good conversations began while the day was shared. We will continue to update this blog so that folks can gain more insight on events and opportunities that will fill our 2017 with plenty of paddling chances. Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us and special thanks to all the presenters who offered their time to help inform our group.
Feel free to reach out to us with questions! We realize not everyone has Facebook access, so we are here as well and hope to help you get on the water more this year!

Monday, January 16, 2017

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

2017 Annual Meeting and Membership Update
Plan to attend the annual conference of SD Canoe & Kayak Association at The Outdoor Campus!
You can renew your membership and pick-up your 2017 Membership card at the Annual Meeting on January 28th. ($10 individual, $12 family) If you’re unable to attend, please mail your dues to:

SDCKA        
PO Box 90227
Sioux Falls, SD. 57109

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

Session Topics:

11:00  Social / Booths: ACA; SD Kayak Challenge; Friends of the Big Sioux River; Game, Fish & Parks; Boundary Waters Canoe Area; History of SD Canoe Association

 Meeting  starts at 12:00

12:00     Welcome & 2016 Review - Mary Finck

12:10     Big Sioux River Canoe Trail Proposal – Jeff Van Meeteren

12:30     Paddle it! Protect it! – Friends of the Big Sioux – Steve Dahlmeier
           
12:50     MNRR Water Trail Interpretive Paddle Events – Tim Cowman, MNRR Water Trail Coordinator

1:10        Business Meeting & Election of Board Members

1:15        Break

1:30        Big Sioux River Watershed Implementation Project – Barry Berg

1:50        Building Canoes to Promote Paddling & The SD Canoe Association
Tom Berhend, Dave Greenlee

2:10        Missouri National Recreation River Trips – MNR100 & plans for 2017

2:30        NE South Dakota – Events & Opportunities – Roger Foote

2:50        SE South Dakota – Events & Happenings – Jarett Bies

3:10        Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Larry & Nell Votuba

3:30        Door Prizes (Wonder Bag!  Greenland Paddle! & More!)
Closing