WMCKA Event Calendar
- Feb 11, 2012 - Pool Session
- Feb 18, 2012 - Pool Session
- Feb 18-19, 2012 - LOAPC - 31st Annual Au Sable River Overnight.
- Feb 18, 2012 - WMCKA Winter Event
- Mar 3, 2012 - Quiet Water Symposium *
- Mar 3, 2012 - Pool Session
- Mar 17, 2012 - Pool Session
- Mar 17-18, 2012 - LOAPC - 6th Annual S. Br. of the Pere Marquette *
- Apr 13, 2012 - 13th Annual Hugh Heward Challenge *
- May 4-6, 2012 - Spring Confluence
- May 25-28, 2012 - 23rd Annual WMCKA Sea Kayak Symposium
- Jul 13-15, 2012 - Lime Island Rendezvous
- 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 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.
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.
Pool Session
When: Feb 11, 2012
Where: Grandville Middle School
FREE Pool Session for WMCKA Members!
Yes, that's right. As part of your paid WMCKA Membership, you're invited to attend any ONE of the six 2011-2012 pool sessions FOR FREE!.
All sessions are held at Grandville Middle School from 3pm to 5pm. FREE basic instruction is available for the asking. We do have a limited number of spare boats, so if it's at all possible, it's best if you bring your own, very clean, boat.
If you're not a WMCKA member, you can become a member at the pool for $15 ($20/family) and then enjoy your free pool session right away! After you've used up your free pool session, we will ask that you make a donation of $10/person to help pay for the cost of the pool.
As always spectators and kids under 12 are free. You only pay if you get wet.
Want to help us out? Please email Roger Starring (rlstarr@charter [dot] net) if you are interested in helping instruct for about 20-30 minutes in exchange for having the rest of the time free in the pool.
More information about the pool sessions can be found at the WMCKA Events Page.
We hope to see you there!
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Pool Session
When: Feb 18, 2012
Where: Grandville Middle School
FREE Pool Session for WMCKA Members!
Yes, that's right. As part of your paid WMCKA Membership, you're invited to attend any ONE of the six 2011-2012 pool sessions FOR FREE!.
All sessions are held at Grandville Middle School from 3pm to 5pm. FREE basic instruction is available for the asking. We do have a limited number of spare boats, so if it's at all possible, it's best if you bring your own, very clean, boat.
If you're not a WMCKA member, you can become a member at the pool for $15 ($20/family) and then enjoy your free pool session right away! After you've used up your free pool session, we will ask that you make a donation of $10/person to help pay for the cost of the pool.
As always spectators and kids under 12 are free. You only pay if you get wet.
Want to help us out? Please email Roger Starring (rlstarr@charter [dot] net) if you are interested in helping instruct for about 20-30 minutes in exchange for having the rest of the time free in the pool.
More information about the pool sessions can be found at the WMCKA Events Page.
We hope to see you there!
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LOAPC - 31st Annual Au Sable River Overnight.
When: Feb 18-19, 2012
Where: Grayling to Parmalee
This is a Lansing Oar and Paddle Club (LOAPC) Event.
Grayling to Parmalee with overnight self-sufficient camping at White Pine SFCG. Contact Jay Hanks (jayhanks@aol.com) for more information.
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WMCKA Winter Event
When: Feb 18, 2012
Where: PJ Hoffmaster State Park
February 18, 2012 - WMCKA Winter Event, P.J. Hoffmaster State Park
on February 18, 2012 we will have a cross country - snow shoe - hike event at PJ HOFFMASTER State Park near Muskegon. This will be a snow or no snow event, no snow and we will hike. Meet at the visitor center at 12 noon and then we will decide where we ski. About 3 pm we will have a tail gate lunch of chile, hot dogs, and hot chocolate. Bring a friend.
For info call Kathy Burmania @ 616-676-159[two] or kburm [at] aol [dot] com
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Quiet Water Symposium
When: Mar 3, 2012
Where: MSU Ag Pavillion, East Lansing
This is not a WMCKA Event.
The 17th Annual Quiet Water Symposium will be Saturday, March 3, 2012 The Quiet Water Symposium celebrates non-motorized outdoor recreation and For more information see the QWS Website.
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Pool Session
When: Mar 3, 2012
Where: Grandville Middle School
FREE Pool Session for WMCKA Members!
Yes, that's right. As part of your paid WMCKA Membership, you're invited to attend any ONE of the six 2011-2012 pool sessions FOR FREE!.
All sessions are held at Grandville Middle School from 3pm to 5pm. FREE basic instruction is available for the asking. We do have a limited number of spare boats, so if it's at all possible, it's best if you bring your own, very clean, boat.
If you're not a WMCKA member, you can become a member at the pool for $15 ($20/family) and then enjoy your free pool session right away! After you've used up your free pool session, we will ask that you make a donation of $10/person to help pay for the cost of the pool.
As always spectators and kids under 12 are free. You only pay if you get wet.
Want to help us out? Please email Roger Starring (rlstarr@charter [dot] net) if you are interested in helping instruct for about 20-30 minutes in exchange for having the rest of the time free in the pool.
More information about the pool sessions can be found at the WMCKA Events Page.
We hope to see you there!
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Pool Session
When: Mar 17, 2012
Where: Grandville Middle School
FREE Pool Session for WMCKA Members!
Yes, that's right. As part of your paid WMCKA Membership, you're invited to attend any ONE of the six 2011-2012 pool sessions FOR FREE!.
All sessions are held at Grandville Middle School from 3pm to 5pm. FREE basic instruction is available for the asking. We do have a limited number of spare boats, so if it's at all possible, it's best if you bring your own, very clean, boat.
If you're not a WMCKA member, you can become a member at the pool for $15 ($20/family) and then enjoy your free pool session right away! After you've used up your free pool session, we will ask that you make a donation of $10/person to help pay for the cost of the pool.
As always spectators and kids under 12 are free. You only pay if you get wet.
Want to help us out? Please email Roger Starring (rlstarr@charter [dot] net) if you are interested in helping instruct for about 20-30 minutes in exchange for having the rest of the time free in the pool.
More information about the pool sessions can be found at the WMCKA Events Page.
We hope to see you there!
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LOAPC - 6th Annual S. Br. of the Pere Marquette
When: Mar 17-18, 2012
Where: Dickinson to Walhalla Rd
This is not a WMCKA Event.
This is a Lansing Oar and Paddle Club (LOAPC) Event.
Dickinson Rd. to Walhalla Rd. with overnight self-sufficient camping at an undeveloped site on State Land. Contact Jay Hanks (jayhanks@aol.com) for more information.
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13th Annual Hugh Heward Challenge
When: Apr 13, 2012
Where: Various Routes (see info)
This is not a WMCKA Event.
See the Hugh Heward Challenge site for more information.
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Spring Confluence
When: May 4-6, 2012
Where: Ludington State Park
WMCKA's Spring Confluence at Ludington State Park. (see the link below
for Michigan State Parks online reservation system link).
Most attendees camp at the park (although some stay at motels in town and just
join the group for paddling and meals). The group tends to congregate somewhere
in the middle section of the Beechwood campground. Look for a site with the
"WMCKA" white awning or ask anyone with a kayak on their vehicle or campsite.
We usually put in Saturday morning around 10:00 am by the south end of the
boardwalk on Lost Lake. In years past we paddled as a group to the dunes at
the north end of Hamlin lake, then backtracked for lunch in the protected cove.
After lunch the group can break up into smaller groups, depending on paddling
interest and skill: those who want to continue on or return to Lost Lake, or
venture out to Lake Michigan.
Check back for more information about the food for this year's Confluence.
We look forward to seeing old and new friends at Ludington State Park for the
spring WMCKA paddling event.
Click Here: Michigan
State Parks Online Reservation System
(Preferred sites are 263-268 & 290-305)
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23rd Annual WMCKA Sea Kayak Symposium
When: May 25-28, 2012
Where: Camp Pendalouan, Big Blue Lake
11/5/2011 - Check back soon for more information!
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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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End-o-Summer Weekend
When: Sep 14-16, 2012
Where: Platte River CG, Sleeping Bear Dunes
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: Mesick, MI
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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