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!

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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.