About SDKC

The South Dakota Kayak Challenge pits racers against 72 miles of the Missouri National Recreational River.

It was the first race of its kind in South Dakota when about 90 racers ran it in 2010. In 2011, Missouri River flooding led to cancellation. This year, more than 100 racers are again signed up for the May 26-27 event.

The race starts in history-rich Yankton, S.D., and ends less than 30 hours at the downriver finish line in Sioux City, Iowa. First-year first place racer finished in 10 hours; the final racers arrived around 1 p.m. the next day.

Our goal is to safely host an endurance paddling event in the states of South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa, make it a challenging one, where competitors of many skill levels paddle one of the most beautiful stretches of the Missouri River, and in doing so, remind all who race, support, volunteer, and watch how this amazing treasure should be cherished.

Supporting communities

Many South Dakota cities have made this event possible and supported it during its first two years. Cities including Yankton, Vermillion, Elk Point, Burbank, North Sioux City, Dakota Dunes, McCook Lake continue to support the race, as well as the Nebraska communities of Newcastle, Ponca, and South Sioux City. Our finish-line host, Sioux City, Iowa is bouncing back after flooding, and welcomes everyone back to the water.

Our only goal is to help a vibrant Missouri River community, one that stretches from North Dakota to Omaha, cherish this American waterway with an event that celebrates its grandeur.

How do I get started?

The South Dakota Kayak Challenge is a marathon-endurance paddling race on the Missouri River. The race length is 72 miles. Racers start at 7 a.m. on Saturday in Yankton and must reach the finish line in Sioux City, Iowa before 1 p.m. on Sunday. Racers will have four checkpoints on the route. There are no cut-off times for the checkpoints; they are for resupply, support, and logistics. The checkpoints are described in detail on our "The Course" page.

New to this sort of event? Visit these sites for in-depth insights on the sport.

Texas Water Safari
Kansas River "Gritty Fitty"
Missouri River 340
Colorado River 100

How much does it cost?

Registration for all racers will be $50 per person.
After May 6th, registration moves to $75. Final cut-off date is May 18, 2012.

A portion of the cost will be used to purchase insurance. There are no refunds after May 1, 2012 or for extreme weather.

Classes & Categories:

Classes: Adventure and Competitive

Categories: Mens, singles and tandems
Women, singles and tandems
Mixed tandems

How do I train?

A sprint for veterans of marathon-endurance paddling events, the South Dakota Kayak Challenge has shown, in its first year, to be ... challenging. Strong south-southeast winds led to a daunting day on the water. In 2010, the wind, standing waves, confusing channel, warm air temps, cut banks, sand bars, and recreational boat traffic in the last quarter of the race led to about 20 racers stopping and opting out of the race before the finish line.

Newcomers may scoff at the idea of finishing 72 miles in 30 hours, based on their own recreational or touring experiences on rivers. We'd encourage them to consider this simple example: Kayaker A covers about 77 miles only has to average 2.3 miles per hour to finish in the time allowed. At a somewhat typical paddling speed of 4 mph, you could cover 80 miles in 20 hours.

Some paddlers took breaks; some faced the challenges of night travel, and you can see how “doable” a race like this can be.

Extensive training is recommended. A race of more than 70 miles will challenge almost anyone. The Missouri River makes it a true challenge in an unique location.

What boats will race?

The South Dakota Kayak Challenge is open to any paddle-powered craft: kayaks, canoes, surf-skis, SUP. Just about anything. We will open our race to wind-assisted craft and "Hobie" style craft, but they will need prior approval from the race directors before registering. Wind or pedaled craft will not directly “compete” with kayaks and canoes.

Insurance

USCA race insurance is required for all participants and is included in your registration.

Safety

Local emergency medical teams are part of the South Dakota Kayak Challenge team.

Safety boat crews will patrol the waters of the course as necessary, including U.S. Coast Guard teams.

Emergency medical care will either be on-site or readily available during the event. Most of the race is near river access points and will give us plenty of safe places to evacuate racers if needed.Emergency medical numbers will be given to all participants.

• Cell service in the area is limited but a phone is required gear. Radio communications equipment is encouraged on the determined race channel
• There is a mandatory race meeting on Friday night.
• Four mandatory checkpoints will be established with rolling check-in.
• Each participant must have a coast guard approved type I, II, III or V Personal Floatation Device (PFD) in his/her possession while on the water. Each boat must have at least one whistle while on the water.

Mandatory equipment

• Lights for night racing
• Two liters water per person
• Whistle and mirror

Good idea stuff

• Two-way communication device
• GPS
• Spare paddle

Cut-offs and checkpoints
This event has a 30-hour time limit for all paddlers in all classes. There will be four checkpoints. Racers must reach checkpoints in a reasonable amount of time, but to promote an “as many racers as possible” goal, we will not cut off racers who fail to make it to a check point “in time.”

Support teams
Each participant is allowed unlimited race support at the few locations where vehicles can access the water, including our checkpoints and other public-access sites on the river. Replacement paddlers or boats are forbidden. Racers may self-support using any checkpoint. On-water support is allow only by paddled craft and any on-water support must not assist the racer in moving down the race course.

Age restrictions
Children ages 16 and younger must paddle in tandem kayaks or in a team of two or more boats with a parent or legal guardian.

Camping and race shuttles
A Friday night vehicle caravan shuttle from the park in Yankton down to Sioux City and back is set. You can ride our bus back to Yankton for $10. This will leave your car in Sioux City so it's there when you finish. The shuttle bus schedule coincides with the mandatory safety briefing. The city of Yankton has granted paddlers and their crews permission to tent camp in Riverside Park on Friday night. Riverside Park is not a camping park, in that it offers no showers, camping hook-ups, or fires, but it does have a bathroom and camping there is free.

Awards and post-race
All participants will receive t-shirts and prizes will be awarded to the top finishers. An awards ceremony and social will be held on Saturday evening in Sioux City.

DNF on the Course
Paddlers who fail to notify race authorities after choosing to exit the race will be banned from future South Dakota Kayak Challenge events.

Sportsmanship
No win is worth the loss of life. Race camaraderie is encouraged on this oft-challenging water.
Race officials will weigh in on line-crossing rudeness between racers, and penalties include disqualification.

Logical “leave-no-trace” rules
Racers who discard anything into the river or who fail to maintain gear accountability are subject to penalty. Litter, trash, etc. are verboten. Much of the route is a federally protected area - please respect it.

The River Creed
The organizers of the South Dakota Kayak Challenge, when faced with a unforeseen hazard or conflict, reserve permission to revise any of the information on this Web site and on publications or information offered on the site, or on the water.