The South Dakota Canoe and Kayak Association is dedicated to promoting the sport of paddling through; recreation, safety, education and conservation. Your membership and donations support education and recreational efforts in South Dakota.
2026 ANNUAL MEETING
Thanks everyone for your great presentations. If you missed the meeting, we have recorded the sessions and will post a link here to our YouTube channel! Please join or renew your annual membership while your here!
Thanks everyone for your great presentations. If you missed the meeting, we have recorded the sessions and will post a link here to our YouTube channel! Please join or renew your annual membership while your here!
Join us on FACEBOOK!
Event dates are subject to change due to weather or interest. Facebook is the best way to connect with your fellow members
to ask questions or confirm plans and share information.
Event dates are subject to change due to weather or interest. Facebook is the best way to connect with your fellow members
to ask questions or confirm plans and share information.
Register for the Jake Jaunt-Saturday, July 18, 2026
In honor of our friend and fellow paddler Jake Riter
This Summer, come make it a great day on the Missouri River starting in Yankton, SD at Riverside Park, paddle 25 miles +/- to Clay County Park near Vermillion, SD. Always a good time, go fast or go slow, enjoy it all!
Missouri River Water Trail Project
Here is your chance to make a lasting contribution to the Missouri River that runs through our state, North America's longest river.
The National Park Service along with many local groups and organizations are working to make a river trail map of both sides or the vast Missouri River. The map and water trail will run nearly 150 miles from Fort Randall Dam to Sioux City, IA.
This has never been done, it's special, it's happening and you can be a part of it, find out how.
Here is your chance to make a lasting contribution to the Missouri River that runs through our state, North America's longest river.
The National Park Service along with many local groups and organizations are working to make a river trail map of both sides or the vast Missouri River. The map and water trail will run nearly 150 miles from Fort Randall Dam to Sioux City, IA.
This has never been done, it's special, it's happening and you can be a part of it, find out how.
2026 PADDLING SEASON EVENTS
May
1 - Missouri River Watershed School/Festival (need volunteers, see FOMNRR) - https://fomnrr.org
2 - Missouri River Cleanup - Riverside Park - Yankton - MNRR/NPS/FOMNRR
4 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
7 - Meet the Missouri River Speed Team - Yankton - Riverside Park Amphitheatre - 6PM
7 - National Park Service -Missouri Water Trail Project
12 - Big Sioux Water Festival https://bigsiouxwaterfestival.org SDSU, Brookings, SD.
12 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
14 -NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
16 - Midwest Paddle Racing Shootout - https://midwestpaddleracing.com/
30 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
June
1 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
4 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
TBA - Niobrara River Trip, Smith Falls State Park (overnight)
12-13 - Two Paddles Canoe & Kayak Races (Mississippi River)- https://twopaddles.org/
12 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
15 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
TBA - Basic Kayak Training - Kati Albers
22 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
25 - Adaptive Paddling- Terrace Park Covell Lake, Sioux Falls - 10am-Noon
27 - Midwest Paddle Racing Freedom Race - https://midwestpaddleracing.com
30 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
July
5 - 14 - Missouri River Speed record - sdcka.org (estimated schedule)
8 - Lake Sharpe / Missouri River Cleanup, Pierre, SD. Izaak Walton League
9 - Adaptive Paddling- Terrace Park Covell Lake, Sioux Falls - 10am-Noon
9 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
18 - ‘Jake Jaunt’ Jake Riter Memorial Paddling Event - Yankton to Vermillion-Hosted by: SD Best Races, Jarett Bies
23 - Adaptive Paddling- Terrace Park Covell Lake, Sioux Falls - 10am-Noon
25 - Crofton’s Dam Race - https://www.croftonsdamrace.com
28-31 - MR340 - https://mr340.org
August
6 - Adaptive Paddling - Terrace Park, Covell Lake - 10am-Noon
20- Adaptive Paddling - Terrace Park, Covell Lake - 10am-Noon
27- Adaptive Paddling - End of Season Celebration - 5:00-7:30PM
September
5 - SDCKA President’s Cruise - Roy Lake, Northeast, SD.
6 - Middle Loup River Challenge - https://www.sandhillrivertrips.com/events
19 - Midwest Paddle Racing Gritty Growler - https://midwestpaddleracing.com/
19-20 - Red River Paddle Challenge - Winnipeg, CA. redriverpaddlechallenge.com
October
10 - Race to the Dome - http://racetothedome.org
TBD - Midwest Paddle Racing Kawloween - https://midwestpaddleracing.com
May
1 - Missouri River Watershed School/Festival (need volunteers, see FOMNRR) - https://fomnrr.org
2 - Missouri River Cleanup - Riverside Park - Yankton - MNRR/NPS/FOMNRR
4 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
7 - Meet the Missouri River Speed Team - Yankton - Riverside Park Amphitheatre - 6PM
7 - National Park Service -Missouri Water Trail Project
12 - Big Sioux Water Festival https://bigsiouxwaterfestival.org SDSU, Brookings, SD.
12 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
14 -NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
16 - Midwest Paddle Racing Shootout - https://midwestpaddleracing.com/
30 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
June
1 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
4 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
TBA - Niobrara River Trip, Smith Falls State Park (overnight)
12-13 - Two Paddles Canoe & Kayak Races (Mississippi River)- https://twopaddles.org/
12 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
15 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
TBA - Basic Kayak Training - Kati Albers
22 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
25 - Adaptive Paddling- Terrace Park Covell Lake, Sioux Falls - 10am-Noon
27 - Midwest Paddle Racing Freedom Race - https://midwestpaddleracing.com
30 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
July
5 - 14 - Missouri River Speed record - sdcka.org (estimated schedule)
8 - Lake Sharpe / Missouri River Cleanup, Pierre, SD. Izaak Walton League
9 - Adaptive Paddling- Terrace Park Covell Lake, Sioux Falls - 10am-Noon
9 - NPS -Missouri Water Trail Project - sdcka.org
18 - ‘Jake Jaunt’ Jake Riter Memorial Paddling Event - Yankton to Vermillion-Hosted by: SD Best Races, Jarett Bies
23 - Adaptive Paddling- Terrace Park Covell Lake, Sioux Falls - 10am-Noon
25 - Crofton’s Dam Race - https://www.croftonsdamrace.com
28-31 - MR340 - https://mr340.org
August
6 - Adaptive Paddling - Terrace Park, Covell Lake - 10am-Noon
20- Adaptive Paddling - Terrace Park, Covell Lake - 10am-Noon
27- Adaptive Paddling - End of Season Celebration - 5:00-7:30PM
September
5 - SDCKA President’s Cruise - Roy Lake, Northeast, SD.
6 - Middle Loup River Challenge - https://www.sandhillrivertrips.com/events
19 - Midwest Paddle Racing Gritty Growler - https://midwestpaddleracing.com/
19-20 - Red River Paddle Challenge - Winnipeg, CA. redriverpaddlechallenge.com
October
10 - Race to the Dome - http://racetothedome.org
TBD - Midwest Paddle Racing Kawloween - https://midwestpaddleracing.com
SDCKA 'WEAR IT' Campaign
- Lifejackets save lives
- Join the effort and lead by example, ALWAYS wear your lifejacket!
Thanks to a grant from the National Safe Boating Council, SDCKA printed and installed 50 signs placed at area boat ramps along most of the MNRR (Missouri National Recreational River), Big Sioux River and some area lakes. Generally the signs are located in or near; Brandon, Mitchell, Pierre, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, Watertown and Yankton.
If you know of a location that would benefit from a sign, email [email protected]
SDCKA is a Paddle America Club member with American Canoe Association
ACA is a national non-profit serving the broader paddling public. You'll find education, training and events throughout the U.S.A. Great resources about everything paddling!
Please support the sponsors who support us!
Nybergs ACE - Sioux Falls and Watertown
Great assortment of outdoor gear, hardware, pet supplies - ACE is the place to rent kayaks too!
Buffalo Roamer Outdoors
For those who seek adventure, you'll like host Will Collins and his podcast, but it's more than that, Check it out!
Runnings
Everything for the Home, Farm & Outdoor Store
Everything for the Home, Farm & Outdoor Store
Paddling Magazine
Covers the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends, events and culture of kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and whitewater.
Covers the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends, events and culture of kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and whitewater.