SDCKA Paddling Fair: June 2013

The South Dakota Canoe/Kayak Association again hosted its annual paddling fair at Family Lake, a body of water on the western edge of Sioux Falls near the intersection of the Tea/Ellis Road and West 12^th Street.

Unlike last year when about 250 people came by to try their hand at paddling a canoe or kayak during a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon, this year the skies were grey and totally overcast, a stiff wind was blowing out of the northwest, and the temperature was in the low 60s. It had been raining nearly continuously for 24 hours, but we had a few rain-free hours this afternoon for the event.

About 75 people came by Family Lake to try out a canoe or kayak this afternoon.  Many people were taking their first cruise in a kayak or canoe, while others had some limited experience.  The focus of this event was to introduce interested people to our paddling sport. 

SDCKA members brought kayaks and canoes for people to try out; Sun and Fun, a local outdoor outfitter store along 41^st Avenue, also brought several boats to add to the fleet.  Members served as coaches to get people into the boats and out onto the water.

Other members, including me, were out on the lake in their craft with red flags attached to the hull signifying their role as safety monitors who could also render assistance if needed.

There were tandem kayaks for people who wanted to work together on their voyage of discovery. 

Many people tried out various solo kayaks.  Some of the paddlers were young people taking their first cruise.

Canoes were popular with families out to share a new experience.

Mishaps were few today, although some boats had to be towed back to the launching point because of difficulty dealing with the winds across or down the lake.  On these few occasions, SDCKA monitors in their boats passed over a line and towed the boats back to the dock.

These events are always well received.  People seem appreciative of the opportunity to try out a boat for no cost to see if paddling is really something they would like to pursue as a hobby or sport.  Seasoned paddlers also have a chance to try out a different boat, usually one that is a bit different than what they have been using.

This is also where networking among paddlers is developed. Collegiality of the paddle is enhanced at these SDCKA events.  In fact, I solidified arrangements to go paddling tomorrow with two of the members there.

The full set of photographs that I took today for this event can be accessed in my Flickr account at the following URL:http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayheath/sets/72157634035690406/

  

SDCKA Paddling Fair: June 2012

Each year the South Dakota Canoe/Kayak Association hosts a paddling fair, an event designed to offer people who are interested in trying out a kayak the opportunity to be fitted into one and coached through the experience.

The paddling fair this year was held this afternoon at Family Lake in western Sioux Falls.  Family Lake is a park largely built to provide for fishing within the city.  It is two connected man-made lakes built over an old gravel pit near the intersection of the Tea/Ellis Road and Highway 42.  The lake is just right for novice paddlers; there is a dock and an easy launching area for kayaks – it is a nearly perfect spot for the SKCKA paddling fair.  Importantly, it is located right on the western edge of the city.

The event got underway at 1:00 p.m. and continued until about 4:30 p.m.  This year, the paddling fair was sponsored by the SDCKA, Sun 'N Fun in Sioux Falls, and the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department.  In addition, Team River Runners contributed several boats and personal coaching for paddlers.

About 234 people took part in the paddling fair, and there were about 40 boats provided by SDCKA members, Sun and Fun, and Team River Runners.

A variety of boats were available for paddling, including a selection of kayaks, both solo and tandem and in lengths from short river kayaks to long sea kayaks; several stand-up paddle boards; canoes, both solo and tandem; and even two Hobie kayaks with the pedal powered propulsion device – one was inflatable, the other a fishing rigged boat.

The event was characterized by families out to enjoy the day and try their hand at paddling; there were lots of families where the adults and kids each had a kayak to try and some where families filled up a canoe.

 It was not at all unusual to see parents with a small child seated in the forward section of a kayak cockpit.

There were at least two SDCKA members out on the water at all times serving as safety observers.  Other members were in action in the water, on the beach, and at the dock working to secure a kayak and helping new paddlers launch and move out on the water.  

The on-water SDCKA members also assisted with paddling techniques for those who were just learning.

For so many people on the water, there were few incidents requiring assistance.  I helped one young kayaker who had tipped and filled the hull with water.  On another occasion, I towed a young person back to the dock when she became unable to continue in the light wind.  There were very few such incidents. 

Those trying out the stand-up paddle boards sometimes took a tumble into the lake, but those were situations where the paddler just lost his or her sense of balance on the board.  It was a safe experience for these novice paddlers.

This was a great day for those who wanted a shared family experience.  It was also a great time for anyone who has had a yen to go out in a kayak for the first time.  Some of us took the occasion to try out another type of boat.  I was very interested in trying the Hobie kayak with the pedal drive, and I took the inflatable one out for a short spin around the lake.  I have been looking at these boats on the Hobie website and had a strong interest in them as a possible next craft.  My experience today did not increase a desire to get such a boat.  Maybe I didn’t spend enough time on the boat, but I left feeling that the traditional kayak might better suit my needs.  

I also tried out an Old Town Pack 12 foot solo canoe, and I did like the feel of that craft.  Years ago I had a solo canoe and have always regretted letting it go.  The older I get, the more attractive the notion of a solo canoe to replace my kayak.

People attending the paddling fair seemed very happy for the experience.  More than one person passed along a message of gratitude for this event.  The motivation for the organizers of paddling fair is to encourage a love of paddling sports and to expose more people to this really wonderful way to enjoy another aspect of outdoor life.

In years past, we would sometimes have 10 to 20 people take part in our paddling fair.  Last year there were about 75 people, and this year about 200.  It is apparent that kayaking has become a very popular sport in the Sioux Falls area.

The paddling fair fits alongside the many cruises, the pool training sessions, the winter conference, and the South Dakota Kayak Challenge as ever increasingly popular activities sponsored by the SDCKA. 

For those interested in viewing all the photos that I took for this narrative, please check out my Flickr account at the following URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayheath/sets/72157630018214838/

Paddling Fair at Family Park

The annual canoe/kayak paddling fair of the South Dakota Canoe/Kayak Association (SDCKA) was held this weekend at Family Park in Sioux Falls. Family Park is the newest addition to the park system in Sioux Falls, and this donated 90 acre park surrounds Family Lake, a 35 acre irregularly shaped lake formed from an old gravel pit. The park and the lake have been developed to provide a nature area within the western side of the city. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish, and the use of non-motorized boats is permitted.

The Park Department of the city and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks have collaborated in the development of this new recreational space. This park is intended to be totally a nature and fishing area rather than an athletic sports site.

Family Park is located off of west 12th Street at the intersection of the Tea/Ellis Road with 12th Street. The park is on the north side of 12th Street with an entrance just a few hundred yards north on the Tea/Ellis Road. The park has a number of fishing piers scattered around the perimeter and a boat launch ramp and dock. Temporary chemical outhouses are situated near the dock area.

At noon today, the skies were dark and rain had begun to fall. The temperature was around 60 degrees. The weather, however, did not deter a large group of SDCKA members from this planned event. By 1:15 or so, there were about 20 kayaks and canoes on the scene with paddlers ready to coach people who wanted to try out a kayak, some for the first time. The rain had passed, the sun came out from the clouds, and people began to take off their jackets.

Over the afternoon, perhaps 8 people who were new or nearly new to kayaking had appeared and were ready to take one or more boats out for a trial paddle. Others took the opportunity to try out a variety of available boats. All of us with boats also enjoyed the opportunity to paddle this lake, chat with friends, relive the South Dakota Kayak Challenge race from Yankton to Sioux City that took place last week, and just laugh it up with paddling pals.

(Pat Wellner of Pirates of the Missouri and his companion dog)

Family Lake is a good place to take people new to paddling. The lake has an irregular shape and appears larger than the 35 acres would suggest. The water is deep, and the shoreline is varied. I think that this is an especially good lake to take people out for an initiation into kayaking. It is also a good body of water to just exercise paddling skills and keep in shape for more challenging waters. I think that this is a fine addition to the park system in Sioux Falls, and I am glad to have another paddling option in the area.

(Steven Dahlmeier and Jarett Bies, President and Vice President of the SDCKA)

There was a pretty good wind today, so I took my big golf umbrella out with me and got in a little sailing.

Two of the television stations covered the event. It is apparent that kayaking has become a very popular recreational activity in the area.

People at the event were smiling and laughing in the sunshine. It was a fine afternoon!