Kayak and Canoe Racing on the Missouri River
… a list of 2010 kayak and canoe races on the Missouri River and some of its immediate tributaries
South Dakota
Photo Impressions on Surfrigger, My Outrigger Canoe
I am trying to decide which of my boats to paddle this year in ultra marathon races like MR340 or South Dakota Challenge.
Thunderbolt-X kayak goes for upstream / downstream workouts on the South Platte River, but on my local pond I am trying some other boats. It is still more photography than training …
My last paddling photo session on the Beaver Pond was with Surfrigger, my outrigger canoe.
My single blade paddling … It is probably OK with Sea Wind canoe, but it definitely sucks in the case of Surfrigger. I need some inspiration! Let’s look at Danny Ching paddling OC-1 (video by Outpadlin from blib.tv).
I need to visit Rambo’s Locker more often.
How to Choose a Boat for an Ultra Marathon Race? The Case of Missouri River 340
The South Dakota Kayak Challenge, September 11-13, 2009
The course and date of the South Dakota race on the Missouri River have been set. Race begins at Bob’s Resort, just north of the State Highway 212 bridge on the Missouri River in north-central South Dakota and continues to the face of the Oahe Dam.
South Dakota Paddling Challenge?
Paddlers from South Dakota are planning a marathon paddling race on their stretch of the Missouri River. It is a very different river from the lower Missouri where the annual MR340 race takes place. The picture above is from the 2008 MR340 Race. I have never paddled on the Missouri in South Dakota.
Three course options are considered:
A) North: The Oahe Dam in Pierre, SD, holds back a giant lake that stretches back into Nodak. This route would be high winds and a barren, dangerous landscape. 100 miles plus. More big-water lake than river. Here high winds would almost be guaranteed. The area is all cliffs, prairie, high prairie. Lots of spots the river is two miles wide.
B) Central: This route is the one I have championed, about 85 miles, a city on either end for various logistics, and a grueling stretch at the end, the Big Bend, it’s about four miles by land, where the river doubles upon itself, and on water, it’s a good 35-mile chunk. This area is more river-like, narrower, with some current, not much, and a prairie landscape. Total mileage would be about 85 miles. Option: Add a dam traverse at the bottom, make them paddle another 5+ hours down to a good town/stopping point.
C) South: Starting in Yankton, paddlers would face low-water channel hunting for about 90 miles down to Sioux City, Iowa. Lots of history down that way, and rolling hills, a few trees, some summer cottage areas, too. It’d be great city to start/end, with some towns in between.