Wetlands Clean-Up in Sioux Falls: June 2013

The South Dakota Canoe/Kayak Association has taken on the responsibility of cleaning up the wetlands at the canoe launching point along the Big Sioux River near the intersection of 26^th Street and Southeastern Drive in Sioux Falls.  This means that at least twice a year SDCKA members gather to collect trash throughout this area for removal by the city.

 This evening six of us met in the parking lot at the launch site for our clean-up of the area.  We did a very thorough job last fall, and there was considerably less trash for us to gather this time.

 We roamed through the bush and tall grass and along the riverbank with our plastic bags and “grabbers” or pointed sticks. 

While we were there a kayak and canoe arrived from upstream around 57^th Street and reported little debris in the stream, although they also said that one of the boats got hung up on the rocks but did not tip over in the rapids under the bridge over the bicycle trail.

So, this evening was one of the several public services performed by the SDCKA each year: the paddling fair, river clean-up, the wetlands clean-up, and water sampling from area lakes and streams.  

It was also a time to laugh it up with paddling companions and plan new trips for the coming days. 

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 Annual Conference - January 2013

Outgoing SDCKA President Jarett Bies Opening the Conference

The Annual South Dakota Canoe/Kayak Conference was held on Saturday, January 26, at the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls.  Beginning at noon, eight sessions were presented to approximately 80 participants.  Included in these program segments were the following:  The Future of Blood Run; Game, Fish, and Parks Laws and Rights; a kayaking trip to the Apostle Islands, kayaking in big waters on the Missouri River; water rescue techniques used by the Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue teams; a review of a new publication by the Black Hills Paddlers along an example of a first aid kit for kayaks and canoes; a contrast between use of canoes and kayaks; and a preview of the 2013 South Dakota Kayak Challenge.

Dick Brown Outlining the new Good Earth State Park at Blood Run

In addition, a slate of candidates for the 2013 SDCKA Board of Directors was presented and voted upon by the membership attending the conference. 

GF&P Boating Law Administrator Brandon Gust 

An important side benefit to the conference was the opportunity for informal conversation and connection among this group of paddlers from across the state. These connections easily grow into friendships and shared experiences on future cruises with fellow paddling enthusiasts. 

Nancy Grassel, West River Paddler

Pat Wellner, Matt Story & Roger DeBates

Water Rescue Techniques, Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue Team

Kelly Lane & Justin Herreman, Black Hills Paddlers

Attending this conference is a signal that the depth of winter is passing and the possibility of paddling on area waterways is only a few weeks away.  A week ago, I stopped by Lake Alvin to check out the ice conditions.  Looking back, I recall a guest narrative on this blog from Steven Dahlmeier describing his first cruise on Lake Alvin even before the official arrival of spring. That cruise took place on March 19, 2007 ; if the “break-up” conditions this year mirrored those of that year, we would be about eight weeks away from a first cruise possibility on very cold waters.  

Lake Alvin in January 2013

Lake Alvin, March 19, 2007

SDCKA Takes Part in Opening River Greenway Ceremony

The South Dakota Canoe/Kayak Association was invited to be a part of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the opening of Phase 1 of the Downtown River Greenway project.  Sioux Falls has over 3,000 acres of parkland, which includes 72 developed parks. The Greenway through the heart of the city along both sides of the Big Sioux River is envisioned to be a highlight of the city. The event took place yesterday, June 8, 2012, and large numbers of people were there for the music, speeches by community leaders, and the vendors. 

Eight kayaks and a substantial group of bicyclists took part in the ceremony, largely serving as a representation of how all elements of the community will enjoy this major improvement to the downtown area: walkers, cyclists, kayakers, and  people just hanging out. 

The kayakers gathered just off the parking lot of Kilian College at 4:00 p.m., launched and began cruising up and down the river between Kilian and the shoal waters just upstream of 8^th Street.

There was a good breeze and current, and we just moved up and down this stretch of the river, stopping along the steps leading up to the river walk to chat with the crowd of people gathered for the event.

The kayaks were just there for a visual effect, a reinforcement that the river development serves the entire community.  In effect, we were props for the event; still, it was also a demonstration of how popular kayaking has become in the past several years.

Part of the development includes a kayak/canoe launching site.  It is easy to launch or land a boat at this spot, although it seems to me to be a difficult portage up the steps and down the bike trail to an access into a parking lot. 

This river development seems a wonderful addition to the sense of community.  Later in the evening, my wife and I strolled through the area surrounded by lots of people.  We sat in the amphitheater eating ice cream and listening to a band, with the Big Sioux River and the buildings across the water forming a backdrop.  Regular events along the riverfront are planned all summer.  This is one more of the continuing community improvements in Sioux Falls. 

The growing popularity of kayaking in the community seems recognized through inclusion in events such as this.

For those interested in viewing my complete set of photographs from this event, please check them out on Flickr at the following URLs:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayheath/sets/72157630021503211/ and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayheath/sets/72157630022391741/

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/