Events Information
This is a list of both WMCKA and Non-WMCKA events. Non-WMCKA events are listed in order to help connect you 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.
- Sep 11-13, 2008 - Basic Coastal ICE (Chicago) *
- Sep 12-14, 2008 - End-o-Summer Weekend
- Sep 12-15, 2008 - St Joseph Island Rendezvous *
- Sep 18-21, 2008 - Wind Waves, and Wine Sleeping Bear Surf Fest 2008 *
- Oct 10-12, 2008 - WMCKA Annual Meeting
* Indicates a Non-WMCKA Sponsored Event
Basic Coastal ICE (Chicago)
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: Sep 11-13, 2008
This is not a WMCKA Event.
WMKCA's own Bonnie Perry and along with Gail Green are going to be doing an open water or basic coastal ICE September (11-13) in Chicago.
One of the cool things about this ICE is that folks will be able to use either a Euro blade or a traditional blade. So at long last an opportunity to be an instructor without switching to that other blade!
Instructor Certification Exam or the American Canoe Association (ACA). The Basic and Open water certifications refer to the level of instructor certification (There are actually lower levels below basic).
Prerequisites for the ICE: Participation in the ICE is by invitation - upon completion of the Instructor Developement Workshop (IDW) paddlers' skills in both teaching and paddling will be assessed and they will be expected to work on deficiencies over the summer.
A brochure can be found here - [Click for IDW Brochure] or you can also e-mail Bonnie at bonnie@allsaintschicago.org for more information. The cost is $325 with the possibility of free accommodations if folks don't mind sleeping on a church floor!
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End-o-Summer Weekend
Where: Platte River CG, Sleeping Bear Dunes NL
When: Sep 12-14, 2008
This event is held in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It is timed to hopefully coincide with the running of the salmon up the river, usually the middle of September.
Saturday morning there is typically a paddle which starts by crossing a section of Big Platte Lake, followed by a float down the Platte River to Lake Michigan. At Lake Michigan, you can take out, or paddle the Big Lake if conditions suit you. Afterwards the gang usually goes out to dinner at one of the restaurants in Glen Arbor. For more information, contact any WMCKA officer or Board member.
You can make reservations for this event thru the National Park Service Website (Click Here), however many sites are first come - first serve and if weather is good, you may have to arrive early in the morning to secure a site. Tenters may be able to share a site with other WMCKA members.
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St Joseph Island Rendezvous
Where: St Joseph Island, Ontario
When: Sep 12-15, 2008
This is not a WMCKA Event.
The 4th Annual St Joseph Island Paddler's Rendezvous will take place September 12-15, 2008. Paddlers are welcome to come up on Friday night for a long weekend of paddling the St. Mary's River. The Township of St. Joseph has again offered to allow tent camping at the Women's Institute Park in the Village of Richards Landing.
One Saturday and Sunday, we will be organizing day trips from the park to a number of locations around the island. Bring your canoe or kayak and join your friends on the water for some of the best paddling of the season. Last year, our group was thrilled to see a young bald eagle waiting for us near the lighthouse on Shoal Island.
See more information [here]. Or email Gary De Kock at gdekock [at] gmail [dot] com.
Please email and let us know that you are coming and to give us a chance to tell you more about the paddling opportunities near St. Joseph Island.
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Wind Waves, and Wine Sleeping Bear Surf Fest 2008
Where: Sleeping Bear Dunes NL
When: Sep 18-21, 2008
This is not a WMCKA Event.
Join us for a fall weekend enjoying the waves of NW Michigan. This is an informal camp setting where both kayak, and board surfers can share skills while the water is still warm and fronts push in good waves. Think...a little outlaw, a little under-the-radar and all very low key. While no "formal" structured teaching will be done, we will be cultivating an environment of peer coaching and skill sharing. Sea kayaks, river boats, surf boats, wave skills, paddle boards and surfboards of all types are welcome. We also have incredible hiking and mountain biking opportunities during breaks from waterplay. Included in the price ($95) are camping fees, breakfasts, showers and snacks. Lunches are on your own and we'll do dinners pot-luck family style in our big outdoor kitchen. Register early as it is limited to 30 participants or so.
Contact info is with Michael at info@uncommonadventures.com
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WMCKA Annual Meeting
Where: Mesick
When: Oct 10-12, 2008
The fall outing and annual meeting takes place at Northern Exposure Campground, Mesick, Michigan. 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. For 2008 the price to WMCKA members for the weekend will be $10/night for back sites (most appropriate for tenters), $12/night for waterfront sites, $16/night for pull-through sites. 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. This year, we plan to have a porta-potti on the far west end of the camping area.
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 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 elfman [at] netonecom [dot] net
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