Howdy, all.
Just a quick note to let you know a few facts about Sunday's 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. pool session at the YWCA in Sioux Falls.
1) The pool's boiler broke down this week, so the water is not as warm as usual.
2) The event is still a go.
3) YWCA members are still swimming laps in the 70-degree water, so it's not like a Lake Superior simulator. But not as warm as past events, either.
4) The YWCA whirlpool/hot tub is still working, so it could provide relief for us if people get down-right chilled.
Hope to see you there tomorrow - currently about 10 folks are planning to be at the session. Just wanted to let everyone know about the colder-than-usual conditions we'll face.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
You can help log S.D. ice-outs
A gentleman from Journey North: A Global Study of Wildlife Migration and Seasonal change has invited us to contribute information about ice-out dates in South Dakota. It's a good way to count down the days until full-on paddling season is here!
To contribute, all you have to do is keep an eye on a waterway you see often. Let's say you drive by Lake Vermillion regularly. Watch as the ice recedes, and when it appears the lake has reach complete ice-out, write Jarett @ jbies0341@hotmail.com and he'll submit your information.
If you would rather submit your ice-out report directly to Journey North, you can do so at this link, which you will have to copy and paste into your browser:
http://www.learner.org/cgi-bin/jnorth/jn-sightings
Or Google "Journey North" and click on the "Report Sightings" choice.
If you send your information to me, include the date, lake or river, and a bit of information, like this:
"Lake Poinsett is ice free on March 25. Several days of warm, southerly winds have done their job and we're ready to paddle the lake!"
It's an easy, spam-free way to share information about our waters with the rest of world, and it helps Journey North, which seems like a good outfit.
Plus it shows the world we are avid paddlers champing at the bit to get on the water. (Thanks to Jay Heath for this photo of ice and kayaking.)
Questions? Write Jarett.
To contribute, all you have to do is keep an eye on a waterway you see often. Let's say you drive by Lake Vermillion regularly. Watch as the ice recedes, and when it appears the lake has reach complete ice-out, write Jarett @ jbies0341@hotmail.com and he'll submit your information.
If you would rather submit your ice-out report directly to Journey North, you can do so at this link, which you will have to copy and paste into your browser:
http://www.learner.org/cgi-bin/jnorth/jn-sightings
Or Google "Journey North" and click on the "Report Sightings" choice.
If you send your information to me, include the date, lake or river, and a bit of information, like this:
"Lake Poinsett is ice free on March 25. Several days of warm, southerly winds have done their job and we're ready to paddle the lake!"
It's an easy, spam-free way to share information about our waters with the rest of world, and it helps Journey North, which seems like a good outfit.
Plus it shows the world we are avid paddlers champing at the bit to get on the water. (Thanks to Jay Heath for this photo of ice and kayaking.)
Questions? Write Jarett.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Next pool session set for March 14
We'll host a second pool session at the YWCA in SIoux Falls on March 14.
The event is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (REMINDER: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS) and free for members; small surcharge for non-members to cover the $50-per-hour pool rental.
Pool work can help you develop skills you won't get in open water. Plus it's warm and clean. Your boat must be clean, too, to use it in the pool.
Write Jarett at jbies0341@hotmail.com for more information or to confirm a spot. We aim to keep the number of paddlers around a dozen. If we have enough interest we might seek to add additional pool sessions in March or April.
The YWCA is located on 11th Street and Dakota Avenue in beautiful downtown Sioux Falls.
The event is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (REMINDER: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS) and free for members; small surcharge for non-members to cover the $50-per-hour pool rental.
Pool work can help you develop skills you won't get in open water. Plus it's warm and clean. Your boat must be clean, too, to use it in the pool.
Write Jarett at jbies0341@hotmail.com for more information or to confirm a spot. We aim to keep the number of paddlers around a dozen. If we have enough interest we might seek to add additional pool sessions in March or April.
The YWCA is located on 11th Street and Dakota Avenue in beautiful downtown Sioux Falls.
Monday, March 1, 2010
March 14th Pool Session
The South Dakota Canoe & Kayak Association will host a YWCA pool training session starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 14, 2010.
The event takes place at the YWCA, 300 W. 11th St. in Sioux Falls.
Paddlers should bring their own clean boats for pool work. Members will do their best to loan boats to those without, but the session ends at 1pm.
Life jackets/PFDs are required in the pool. We would like to have a head count soon, so if you are planning to attend, e-mail Jarett Bies at jbies0341@hotmail.com.
If you're coming, don't forget to bring spray skirts, dive masks or goggles, or any other gear you might use in a self-rescue or to keep water out of your nose during rolling practice.
There's a door just off Dakota Avenue (on the east side of the Y) that goes directly into the pool area. Please plan to take kayaks in and out there, and bring extra towels to wipe down your boats afterwards, to keep the water from freezing.
See you on the 14th!
The event takes place at the YWCA, 300 W. 11th St. in Sioux Falls.
Paddlers should bring their own clean boats for pool work. Members will do their best to loan boats to those without, but the session ends at 1pm.
Life jackets/PFDs are required in the pool. We would like to have a head count soon, so if you are planning to attend, e-mail Jarett Bies at jbies0341@hotmail.com.
If you're coming, don't forget to bring spray skirts, dive masks or goggles, or any other gear you might use in a self-rescue or to keep water out of your nose during rolling practice.
There's a door just off Dakota Avenue (on the east side of the Y) that goes directly into the pool area. Please plan to take kayaks in and out there, and bring extra towels to wipe down your boats afterwards, to keep the water from freezing.
See you on the 14th!
Unloading & parking directions
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Sioux Falls does have open water
Bruce W. from Sioux Falls doesn't let winter slow his paddling. He shared these pictures from a recent outing he made in a skin-on kayak he constructed himself.
Bruce said he kayaked from Highway 121 and Rice Street up towards the city's water treatment area. From the looks of his pictures, it seems like he had an eye-opening trip on water in winter.
Bruce has a Web site documenting his kayak build, it's at this link, which you will pry have to copy and paste to visit the site.
http://sio.midco.net/a1b2c3/sewBdog.htm
Good work, Bruce, on three fronts: He is paddling in winter, building his own boat, and sharing it with the entire South Dakota Canoe and Kayak Association, just like you should do!
Bruce said he kayaked from Highway 121 and Rice Street up towards the city's water treatment area. From the looks of his pictures, it seems like he had an eye-opening trip on water in winter.
Bruce has a Web site documenting his kayak build, it's at this link, which you will pry have to copy and paste to visit the site.
http://sio.midco.net/a1b2c3/sewBdog.htm
Good work, Bruce, on three fronts: He is paddling in winter, building his own boat, and sharing it with the entire South Dakota Canoe and Kayak Association, just like you should do!
Great conference and NEW name
Welcome to the first official post of the newly reminted South Dakota Canoe and Kayak Association. Yes, the name change was voted upon and is official: We're the SDCKA, folks, to reflect the changing nature of our club.
But remember: Regardless of your craft, and number of blades, if you paddle in Sodak, you are welcome in our club.
The annual conference in Sioux Falls was light on boats, but not on information-sharing and fun. Presenters shared their 2009 experiences with the 30-50 people who gathered, and a number of dynamic Q and A sessions helped get more info to the people who could use it.
The club sends its thanks out to all who attended and to the Outdoor Campus for their assistance and willingness to let us use their fine facilities.
This is the online home of the club, and we remind all comers that if you have a question, e-mail either Web master (e-mail addresses are on the right side of this blog) and we'll get it out to the public.
In addition, anyone hosting an event, looking to sell a boat, or any other endeavor - we're here to help.
Many thanks to all the Dick Davidson friends and family who traveled to be with us. Here's to hoping the auction raised a fair amount of money for Boy Scouts and that everyone had fun at Bracco.
More news and fresh posts coming soon.
But remember: Regardless of your craft, and number of blades, if you paddle in Sodak, you are welcome in our club.
The annual conference in Sioux Falls was light on boats, but not on information-sharing and fun. Presenters shared their 2009 experiences with the 30-50 people who gathered, and a number of dynamic Q and A sessions helped get more info to the people who could use it.
The club sends its thanks out to all who attended and to the Outdoor Campus for their assistance and willingness to let us use their fine facilities.
This is the online home of the club, and we remind all comers that if you have a question, e-mail either Web master (e-mail addresses are on the right side of this blog) and we'll get it out to the public.
In addition, anyone hosting an event, looking to sell a boat, or any other endeavor - we're here to help.
Many thanks to all the Dick Davidson friends and family who traveled to be with us. Here's to hoping the auction raised a fair amount of money for Boy Scouts and that everyone had fun at Bracco.
More news and fresh posts coming soon.
Friday, January 29, 2010
See YOU tomorrow!
P1000737
Originally uploaded by Iron Bieso
The SDCA Annual Conference will be a regular old hootenanny and we'll be looking for you at noon!
Come on out - remember we have an evening program at Bracco's, too.
All the details are spelled out below!
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