WMCKA Event Calendar
- May 25-28, 2012 - 23rd Annual WMCKA Sea Kayak Symposium
- Jun 9, 2012 - 3rd Annual Gr River Kayak Race *
- Jun 15-17, 2012 - Paddle on the Pond
- Jun 23, 2012 - Kayak for Light
- Jul 13-15, 2012 - Lime Island Rendezvous
- Jul 27-29, 2012 - Lake Michigan Water Trail Event
- Aug 3-5, 2012 - Gun Lake Paddle Weekend
- Aug 6-11, 2012 - Thornapple River Expedition *
- Sep 14-16, 2012 - End-o-Summer Weekend
- Oct 5-7, 2012 - WMCKA Annual Meeting
This is a list of both WMCKA and Non-WMCKA events. *Indicates a Non-WMCKA Sponsored Event. Non-WMCKA events are listed in order to help you connect with other paddlers. We cannot gaurantee the accuracy of the information for non-WMCKA events. If you have a question about any WMCKA event, see the officer`s contact page.
Click on any event to see a more detailed description.
WMCKA requires a PFD (lifejacket) to be worn by all paddlers while they are on the water during WMCKA events.
Want to list your event? Send details to karl[dot]geisel[at]wmcka[dot]org.
23rd Annual WMCKA Sea Kayak Symposium
When: May 25-28, 2012
Where: Camp Pendalouan, Big Blue Lake
1243 Fruitvale RD, Montague, MI, 49437
Click here for the 2011 Symposium page.
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3rd Annual Gr River Kayak Race
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Paddle on the Pond
When: Jun 15-17, 2012
Where: Newaygo State Park
2793 Beach ST, Newago, MI, 49337
Hardy Dam and Hardy Pond offer lots of extensive open water paddling. There usually is a group paddle west to Hardy Dam, which is the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi. Its tremendous size and history of construction are well worth the visit. There is a great park and beach with a swim area for a lunch break right at the dam. Those who prefer river kayaking can put in at the dam and experience a great paddle down river to the Croton Dam, which was the site for the start of the Newaygo Nationals Canoe and Kayak races this past summer.
Newaygo State Park is an awesome, not crowded, less expensive campground where each extremely roomy site is well spaced out from neighbors. This venue is excellent for launching kayaks at a landing just down the hill from the campsites. This is a great outing that I hope you will put on your summer calendar!
Camp Host is Steve Adsmond, phone: two31-92four-37one9, Adsmond[at]comcast[dot]net
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Kayak for Light
When: Jun 23, 2012
Where: Ramona Park
3/5/12 - More information will be posted in the Spring.
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Lime Island Rendezvous
When: Jul 13-15, 2012
Where: Lime Island State Park
July 13-15, Lime Island State Park, Raber MI
Spend the weekend exploring the rich history that Lime Island has to offer.
Check out the Lime Island Rendezvous Page for more details.
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Lake Michigan Water Trail Event
When: Jul 27-29, 2012
3/1/2012 - More details will be posted in the next 2-3 weeks.
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Gun Lake Paddle Weekend
When: Aug 3-5, 2012
** New this year **
Location: 1781 Edwin dr. Wayland, Mi. 49348 Jim, Cassie and Marci Mulders place. North west corner of Gun Lake. Private dead end road.
Space available for campers, tents, or hammocks. Water available by hose, no electric, portable pottys for the guys with some limited inside for the gals.
Mowed camping area with shade, fires ok. Tent site room also available in lake front yard (no fires on the front lawn please).
Sheltered garage area for inclement weather.
Launch area from low floating dock or boat house on property, or from the Yankee Springs State Park. Additional camping also available at Yankee Springs SP, or Deep Lake rustic park nearby.
Great swimming, fishing, sandy beaches over 2500 acres of exploring. Possible evening wine and cheese pontoon cruise planned. Several good restaurants nearby including fine casual dining at Bay Pointe Inn on the south side of the lake.
Please RSVP to Jim at: info [at] gunlakepaddlesports [dot] com or call 2six9-217-302nine.
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Thornapple River Expedition
When: Aug 6-11, 2012
This is not a WMCKA Event.
Thornapple River Expedition 2012 is a 6-day public journey of discovery to experience conditions and opportunities of Michigan?s Thornapple River and its watershed in order to foster awareness and responsibility for the River.
For more information see The Expeditions Website
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End-o-Summer Weekend
When: Sep 14-16, 2012
Where: Platte River CG, Sleeping Bear Dunes NL
September 14-16 - WMCKA End 0 Summer - Platte River Campground 5685 Lake Michigan Road, Honor, MI at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
We will have an option between paddle trips scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. More information will be posted as the date draws near.
Usually the WMCKA members rendezvous at the picnic loop on Lake Michigan Road in the late afternoon for a caravan departure to a local restaurant for dinner.
If camp sites are not available, please email Kenneth at TillWeDance [at] acd [dot] net for suggestions.
For more information about the park and reserving a campsite, go to: http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/platterivercamp.htm
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WMCKA Annual Meeting
When: Oct 5-7, 2012
Where: Northern Exposure Campground,
Starting 1/15/12 you'll want to reserve sites #71-105 in the WoodyWorld (East Area).
The fall outing and annual meeting takes place at Northern Exposure Campground, Mesick, Michigan. The business meeting will occur at 6pm with a meal to follow.
Saturday Night's Dinner (at 6pm) will be a repeat of 2011's SOUPER MEAL which was will received by the membership. WMCKA will provide a variety of soups and breads, you provide the appetite. If you'd like to bring something for the table (appetizers, salad or dessert) it would be appreciated.
Feel free to bring a friend! You do not need to be a current WMCKA member in order to attend - although we encourage memberships to help support our efforts to promoted safe kayaking in West Michigan!
There will be several groups paddling throughout the weekend, most of the day trips will leave by 10:00am Saturday or Sunday, so you will need to be ready to paddle by then.
About The Area: Northern Exposure Campground is located north of Grand Rapids, traveling US 131 to M-115, then northwest to Mesick, Michigan. From Grand Rapids, it is approximately a 2-hour drive to Northern Exposure.
The campground is located on the lake formed by the Hodenpyle Dam, which is on the Manistee River. The lake is approximately 6 miles long and about a mile wide. It is surrounded by beautiful pine and hardwood forests. The lake’s waters are clean and clear.
In addition to paddling on the lake, there is an opportunity to paddle on the Manistee River above or below the dam. This would be an option in the event of extremely windy or inclement weather. For anyone interested in paddling on Lake Michigan, it is approximately 25 minutes to a launch site.
The campground itself will have numerous open sites. During October, very few other campers will be found at Northern Exposure. The campground manger has reserved an entire section of the campground exclusively for the WMCKA event. Each site has piped-in water and electric. Typically they give us a break on campsite fees, check back later for exact amounts! There are excellent launch opportunities at every single waterfront site. This campground has newly paved blacktop access roads, and numerous hiking trails on the camp property, as well as access to the North Country trail nearby.
Northern Exposure still prefers advance registrations, but will handle last-minute visitors. When you call for a reservation, please be sure to say you are with the WMCKA group so they reserve a site in the WMCKA area for you. Normally, there is a $4 fee for day visitors, BUT this fee has been typically been waived for the WMCKA event. There are no parking restrictions at Northern Exposure, so we should have no problem accommodating any day visitors.
The campground phone numbers for reservations are toll free: 1-800-563-7425, or 231-885-1199. Please refer any questions about the event to Bill and Anne Keith at eakeith1[at]gmail[dot]com
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