This blog is designed to highlight the paddling opportunities within South Dakota, mainly within a 50-mile radius of Sioux Falls. While Sioux Falls is far from the adventure of coastal regions, there is a certain satisfaction in utilizing the available waterways to observe weather, water conditions, and the landscape along the shoreline. In addition, there is a wealth of animal life on the waters of small South Dakota lakes, rivers, and creeks, including geese, ducks, pelicans, great blue heron, egrets, hawks, owls, perching birds, deer, raccoons, and beaver. Eagles, fox, and coyote are also sometimes spotted.

The sites described are places where I have kayaked over the past few years, mostly in South Dakota but sometimes including locations in Iowa and Minnesota. One of the best sources of information on the accessibility of small lakes is the South Dakota Atlas and Gazetteer, the large map book of South Dakota. Lakes with a public access are generally identified by a boat symbol marking the location of a launching site on public land.

You will notice the menu of paddling locations on the right side of the blog. Each of the postings is linked to one of the areas, and my intention is to provide a continuing review of the places where I paddle. Perhaps these narratives will help readers select waterways of interest to them. Please feel free to offer a comment regarding any of my postings; I would welcome the dialog.

I also maintain a companion blog that describes hiking opportunities within the Sioux Falls area. You can access that blog at: http://hikingsiouxfalls.blogspot.com

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Canoe and Kayak Festival - Sunday, June 3

SDCA Logo

The annual canoe and kayak festival sponsored by the SDCA will be held at Lake Alvin on Sunday, June 3, 2007, beginning at 1:00 p.m. The gathering point for this event is the public access area located at the northwestern part of the lake. The entrance to this point is off Highway 11 and not in the state park. This is not a "fee" area, so no park sticker is required.

The purpose of this gathering is for people interested in the sport to try out different types of boats. There is generally a wide range of boat types available: a variety of kayaks and canoes. There will also be five canoes available for people who do not have a boat. In addition, most of the boats at the event can be tried out by those attending. There will be some demonstrations put on by SDCA members as well.

This is a great opportunity for people who have questions regarding the sport or the type of boat that is most appropriate for them. It is also a time of networking and relationship building with area paddlers. The event is open to the public.

I will be there with at least one of my kayaks, and I look forward to meeting readers of this blog at Lake Alvin on Sunday afternoon, June 3.
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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

jay -

Have you heard any information on a Sioux Falls to Brandon kayak trip on June 9th?

I had someone mention to me that they heard about a 'historial float' down the Big Sioux.

I can't seem to find any information on it.

Steven

6:56 PM
Jay Heath said...

Yes, Steven, that trip on June 9 is sponsored by the Siouxland Heritage Museums and is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on that date with departure east of Sioux Falls and continuing for 14 miles. The cost for the trip is $20 and includes lunch and a shuttle as well as historical presentations along the way. You can register for the event or get further information by calling the Old Courthous Museum at 605-367-4210.

Jay

9:33 AM
Anonymous said...

Thanks for the information

Steven

12:02 PM

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