First paddle of 2023

I got out for my first paddle of 2023 on New Year's Day. My excitement to paddle on the first was strong enough that I cheated on my rule to go out when the air temperature was above 40 degrees. The air temperature was in the upper 30s. I wore my Kokatat Supernova semi-drysuit and paddled my Current Designs Storm GT. The La Framboise causeway and Fort Pierre boat ramps were iced in, so I launched from the boat ramp at the (water) entrance to Oahe Marina. I paddled downstream to Diver's Point, then back upstream to the ramp. I paddled down on the west side, then crossed, and paddled back upstream on the east side. I paddled a little bit up the tailrace towards the power plant before crossing and returning to the boat ramp. Total distance was 2.75 miles.

ACA instructor training

Over May 20 - 22. I took (and passed) an American Canoe Association instructor class. I am now a certified level 1 and 2 (river kayaking) instructor. The class was taught by Ivan Bartha of One Planet Adventures and sponsored by Sioux Falls Whitewater Park / Sioux Empire Paddlers / Mitchell Joldersma.

I still have some paperwork and need to become certified in first aid and CPR before I can start teaching. But, hopefully, I can be through that by the end of the June.

I will be able to teach the following classes:

Level 1: SmartStart Paddling
Quick start Your Kayak
Flatwater Safety and Rescue
Level 1: Introduction to Kayaking
Level 2: Essentials of River Kayaking

Anyone interested in taking any of these classes or any one that wants to improve any of their techniques should contact me to set up a session. I can be reached at pat@paddlepierreadise.com

The Beginning...

I used to blog about my adventures paddling in the Pierre, SD area at http://www.piratesofthemissouri.com but over the past couple of years I lost interest in the blog. It is still out there and some of the older posts are very informative on sections of the Missouri River in South Dakota.

I started using #Pierreadise on social media in a mild attempt at promoting paddling and in the Pierre, SD area. It developed into my setting up the Facebook page, Paddler's Pierreadise for the same purpose. Also, The term Pierreadise is borrowed from the South Dakota Public Radio program, Rock Garden Tour.

Well, the past few weeks I have been stuck off the water recovering from a broken jaw (and I still have a few weeks to go). So, to pass the time, I set up this domain and blog to try to promote paddle sports, in particular, kayaking in the Pierre, SD area.

The Missouri River near Pierre, SD is suitable for all sorts of paddlesports and kayaks but I like to think it is particularly good for touring kayaks and surfskis. Lots of big (relative to the midwest) water and on windy days surfing is possible.

One of my favorite access points is the boat ramp on the causeway leading out to La Framboise Island. From there, I have two routes I like to take.  My bread and butter route is paddling around La Framboise Island and taking out on the opposite side of the causeway from the boat ramp (6+ miles). The other route is paddling upstream to the Oahe Marina and back (11 miles). Sometimes I combine the two for extra miles.