Itasca Kayakersthe paddleblog

Itasca Kayaker Introduction

2009-10-10T08:17:00.001-05:00

October, 2009

It's not just about paddling. It's about getting together and having fun. There are no dues.

The Itasca Kayakers began in 2003 with just a few of us. We paddled only 358 miles that first year. Our second year was different.

The 2004 kayak season which started with us crossing 40' of ice to get to open water in March and ended with us using our boats as sleds to negotiate the 200+' snow covered hillside to launch into the Prairie River on December 18 when the temperature was a +9 and gusts of wind to 21mph. It was outstanding. A group of 53 people (16 women & 37 men) paddled a total of 2001.5 miles in 2004 on 35 different trips covering numerous lakes, including Lake Superior and rivers across northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada. We averaged 9 miles per trip with an average of 8 boats per trip. The most boats we had at one time was 13.

In 2005, we had 44 paddlers covering 2,943.7 miles of water during our 43 trips. The club paddled a minimum of twice per month from January through December. We conquered the Swan River from Swan Lake to Jacobson, the Prairie River from Lawrence Lake to Grand Rapids, and the Mississippi from the Headwaters to Brainerd. [The intent is to actually paddle the entire Mississippi to New Orleans over the course of 2-3 years.] Our 2005 adventures also included three Wisconsin rivers, Lake Superior, a small pond in Michigan, and of course many of the local lakes. We averaged 6 boats per trip going an average of 13.6 miles per outing. Our club provided water safety support for the 2005 Timberman Triathlon and the Two Harbors Kayak Festival. We also volunteered on two occasions to assist with Habitat for Humanity project homes. However, due to circumstances not in our control, both trips to the Habitat project were canceled at the last minute.

The club kicked off the 2006 season in January and was able to get out every week. The 100th trip since the club's origin was on January 28, 2006. The coldest temperature we paddled in 2006 was on February 18 when the mercury dipped to -17F. Then we managed to get five brave souls out on February 3, 2007 with a temperature at -22F and a windchill of -50F.

As a group (66 paddlers), over 5,321 miles were logged in during 2006 and another 6,285 as of December 15, 2007 involving 99 paddlers. The members of Itasca Kayakers heading to New Orleans have continued on. Their last take-out was roughly 40 miles north of Memphis, TN in September, 2007.

The Mississippi River paddlers (Luke, Andy, Tony, and Jim) finished their trek from the headwaters to the Gulf in 2008. The club continues to log local miles as well, having fun on water and consuming more brats than anyone would like to know. Total accumulated miles paddled by the club as of 12/31/08 -- 22,818!!!

The club continues to be strong in 2009. Currently we've had 83 paddlers on the water with us in 2009 and have paddled a distance equaling that of the equator around the Earth - 25,000 miles (since 2003) over 360 trips.

Jim has written a book, Ka-Ka-Ska-Ska (Headwaters to the Gulf - in a Kayak). It will be available on for purchase by contacting Jim at itascakayakers@hotmail.com and in local book stores or http://www.booksurge.com/, www.Amazon.com, www.Abebooks.com and www.Alibris.com. by mid-October, 2009.

About the book...

“Ka-Ka-Ska-Ska” (“Headwaters to the Gulf” – in a kayak) ISBN 9781439253106

Author, Jim Lewis
2438 Timberline Drive
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
218-326-6922
Email – itascakayakers@hotmail.com
______________________________________________________________________________

BACK COVER (text)
How many times have you been trapped at work daydreaming of escaping from the ho-hum doldrums to an adventure of exploring the unknown, casting aside pleas from your mother to be careful and the need to focus on detail instilled by your father?

As we stood on the shore of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime, it had been only nine days since Luke and Andy entered my office to discuss an idea devised over lunch. “Let’s paddle the entire Mississippi River from the Headwaters to the Gulf, BUT, not all in one trip. We can do one section at a time, as work schedules allow.” In less time than it takes to finish a cup of coffee, the decision is made to go ahead even though not one of us has a clue as to the length of the Mississippi. With little thought to detailed planning, we strike out to conquer the third largest river in the world. The chronological travelogue covers the highlights as we paddle our way through uninhabited wilderness and along the banks of river towns. Well seasoned with a good measure of humor, the narrative blends stories of people, places, and history. Anyone interested in the outdoors and/or travel who enjoys the lighthearted approach will love this book. It goes beyond the ‘how-to’ of paddling and gets into the adventure itself. Ka-Ka-Ska-Ska is truly an inspiration to others to “Just do it!”

The author…

Contact us: itascakayakers@hotmail.com

February 3, 2007 -22F with a -50F windchill

2007-12-20T07:02:00.000-06:00

FAQ

Q. "Don't you get cold paddling in the winter?"
A. "No... You just dress for it."

2006-12-20T21:45:00.000-06:00

June 20th, 2006

Potluck dinner at Stan & Robyn's after paddling 9.2 miles on a beautiful summer eve.

2006-12-20T21:30:00.000-06:00

June 20th, 2006

Andy & Luca

2006-12-20T21:15:00.000-06:00

June 20th, 2006

Portage at Pokegama Dam - 18 boats

2006-12-20T21:00:00.000-06:00

June 15th, 2006

Harvey and the loons on Pit Lake.

2006-12-20T20:47:00.000-06:00

May 20th, 2006

Jeff finally gets his shirt!

May 16th, 2006

2006-12-20T20:45:00.000-06:00

Ten kayaks out on the Prairie River for a nice easy evening paddle. We launched at the public access near the dam off of county road 61. We had the wind and current in our face for the trip up to Gunn Park. However the cruise back was easy with the wind and the current. The narrows is always a favorite part of this paddle, very scenic. Leave it to Andy to hang onto the buoy! Dinner was beef stew and biscuits, with the customary cookies for dessert.

May 6th, 2006

2006-12-20T20:40:00.000-06:00

May 6th, 2006

18 Boats! Our biggest event to date.
The group set off from Tioga Beach on Pokegama Lake and paddled for a little over an hour. Back at the beach we enjoyed a breakfast of fruit, donuts, biscuits and gravy, and beverages. After breakfast most of the boats returned to the water to check out Little and Big Jay Gould lakes. We wrapped up the morning of paddling and fellowship shortly after noon. The weather was very cooperative with Partly Sunny skies and mild temperatures.

2006-12-20T20:30:00.000-06:00

April 28th, 2006

Wolf River on our annual trip to Wisconsin.

2006-12-20T20:28:00.000-06:00

April 1st, 2006

Wildlife on the river

2006-12-20T20:25:00.000-06:00

March 4th, 2006

Ana on the Mississippi.

2006-12-20T20:20:00.000-06:00

January 28th, 2006

Luke, Jim, and Andy riding a large piece of ice down the Mississppi.

2006-12-20T20:15:00.000-06:00

February 18th, 2006

Launching for an outing at -17F. It was incredibly beautiful! Thanks to Minnesota Power for keeping the river open for us.

2006-12-20T20:08:00.000-06:00

December 16th, 2005

Winter wonderland.

2006-12-20T20:07:00.001-06:00

May 5th, 2005

Lake Superior sea caves.

2006-12-20T20:07:00.000-06:00

October 19th, 2005

The infamous Itasca kayak Singers performing at the annual awards party.

2006-12-20T20:05:00.000-06:00

December 11th, 2004

The Mississippi after a fresh snowfall.

2006-12-20T20:00:00.000-06:00

October 20th, 2004

Tracy on Pit Lake. The water was glass smooth. With a 40 foot clarity in the lake, it was difficult to discern where the shoreline stopped and it's reflection began. Paddling over the tops of full grown trees that have been submerged by the ever raising water level, it felt as if you were literaly suspended.

2006-12-09T20:56:00.000-06:00

July 8th, 2006

Andy is confident he has the right of way.

Timberman Triathalon

2006-12-09T18:49:00.000-06:00

Members of the Itasca Kaykers lend their skills again this year to provide water safety at the 22nd annual Timberman Triathalon. The photo at the left shows both kayakers and lifeguards. Thanks again to all the club members who donated their time on a Saturday morning to help out. The event was held at Sugar Lake Lodge just south of Grand Rapids.

Also making its debut at the triathlon was the new Itasca Kayakers boat decals.

2006-11-24T18:00:00.000-06:00

July 22nd, 2005

Andy going over a 30" drop on the Mississippi headwaters.