ACA Club Trip: Kids and family trip on the Current, Aug 24-25, 2024
2024-08-24 09:00 - 2024-08-25 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Pulltite Campground, 31104 County Road EE-356, Salem, MO, 65560, United States
This is a kids and Family Current River Trip August 24th 25th. We will paddle the upper Current River the launch and take out will be decided closer to the event when we know water levels.. We will meet at Pulltite at 9:00 AM on Saturday. We will be camping on the river on a gravel bar, so all gear and food will need to be carried in your boat. We should be off the river @3 on Sunday. There is a limit of 24, including trip leaders.
Trip leader: Dave Haessig, dghaessig@yahoo.com, Briana Conley, bri.conley89@gmail.com
To register for this trip, each participant MUST do TWO things:

Each participant (or parent/guardian for each minor) must sign the Smartwaiver for the trip. For each participant, first select the waiver based onif the participant is an ACA annual member or not an annual member, then choose the appropriate waiver if the participant is an adult or a minor. The waiver link is here: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/7g7GDdCbXVc5S2ff3PbwA6/
Reserve your slots with Tickets below. Please contact admin@stlcanoekayak.com if you have questions about which tickets to select. Adults will be able to reserve slots and enter participant information for minors in the checkout fields.

Monthly Club Meeting: Potluck
2024-09-05 18:00 - 20:00 | George Winter Park, 401 Allen Road, Fenton, MO, 63026
September Potluck at George Winter Park, Lyons Shelter
Please join us for our annual fall potluck where we get time to socialize with new and current members and catch up on paddling adventures. Use the attached ticket to check out and let us know you are coming. Bring us some of your best cooking! We will provide the meat, including vegan.
Please get a “ticket” (below) to register for this event so we know how many people to buy for. (You don’t have to bring the ticker to the potluck.)

Paddling with Vets
2024-09-08 11:00 - 15:00 | Sailboat Cove, Creve Coeur Lake, 13725 Marine Ave., Maryland Hts., MO, 63043, United States
Back by popular demand, this community awareness event is focused on bringing St. Louis area veteran organizations together to educate and promote their support services.
Come join the St. Louis Elks Lodge #9 and Team River Runner to support this FREE, family friendly and open to the public event.
If you want to paddle with us at this event you must pre-register here: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSe2kmlm8heOVu…/viewform
Additional details at: https://www.facebook.com/Elks9Kayak3

DASA (Disabled Athlete Sports Asso.) paddle at Creve Coeur Lake
2024-09-11 17:00 - 19:30 | Sailboat Cove, Creve Coeur Lake, 13725 Marine Ave., Maryland Hts., MO, 63043, United States
St Louis Canoe and Kayak Club, in conjunction with Team River Runner has been working with DASA, Disabled Athletes Sports Association to give disabled athletes the opportunity to get out on the water and paddle. DASA calls this the Bikes and Boats program. This is our last DASA event of the year.

The event takes place at Creve Couer Lake, at the Boat Ramp in Sailboat Cove. We try to get set up and ready by 5:00 for our participants.

I think everyone involved would say it has been a very rewarding experience. If you are available or interested, please consider attending. If you let me know if you plan on attending, I will be able to let you know if the event is cancelled due to weather or circumstances.

Debbie Dyle, SLCAK
dylemedebbie@gmail.com

Great Rivers Rendezvous
2024-09-21 | Piasa Harbor, Elsah Township, IL, Elsah, 62035, United States
Come join a FUN, recreational paddle on the Mississippi River for the Great Rivers Rendezvous organized by the Mississippi River Water Trail Association (MRWTA).
Choose from THREE launch points depending on the distance you would like to paddle- 3 miles starting from Alta Villa, 7 miles starting from Piasa Harbor, and 12 miles starting from Hideaway Harbor. Participants on all routes will be accompanied by trained safety boaters from paddling organizations associated with the Missouri Paddling Coalition (MOPADCO).
Participants will finish at the 18th Annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival at Alton Riverfront Park. The Mississippi Earthtones Festival is a celebration of our river through art, music, and conservation.

Mississippi Earthtones Festival
2024-09-21 10:00 - 22:00 | Alton Amphitheater, Alton Ampitheater, Alton, IL, 62067, United States
Team River Runner and SLCAK will be co-hosting a booth at this event. This is a wonderful opportunity to encourage paddling on our beautiful rivers and lakes, as well as share information about our organizations. If you can spend an hour or two at the booth, please let our president know. (Carolyn@stlcanoekayak.com) We will set up our booth at 10:00 am and tear down at 10:00 pm. Even if you can’t work, stop by and hang out with us.

“The Mississippi Earthtones Festival is a celebration of our river through art, music, and conservation which is held every 3rd Saturday in September, brought to you by Alton Main Street, the Sierra Club, and Jacoby Arts Center.
Family-friendly activities take place from Noon until 6:00pm, and festival goers will enjoy artist booths and live music which continue until 10:00pm.

LIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE:– Jake’s Leg – Grateful Dead Tribute (7-10pm)– Aaron Kamm & the One Drops – Roots Reggae and Mississippi River Blues (3-6pm)– Ahna & the Couch Burners – blues, jazz, classic rock, and reggae (Noon-2pm)– Jason “Gordo” Gordon – 1-Man, 10-Piece Band (2-3pm & 6-7pm)
At this free & family-friendly event, we will feature 100+ booths with environmental education, interactive art experiences and performances, as well as great local food & beverages. Our goal is to bring locals and tourists alike to Downtown Alton to celebrate life on the Mississippi River and learn about ways that we can all be good stewards of our biggest natural asset.”

Monthly Club Meeting: Board Elections; Winterizing your boat & gear; quick repairs.
2024-10-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Shrewsbury Community Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63119, United States
Annual election of board members.
Perry Whitaker will have a presentation on winterizing your boat and gear, as well as kayak repairs you can make on your own.

The St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club holds an open monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month, with some exceptions: we are usually off in July, we often hold a picnic in September, and we hold a holiday party in December. Meetings are open to ALL, whether you are a member, joining us after a break, or checking us out for the first time! See events calendar for upcoming meetings.

Meetings are held in the second floor meeting room at: Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119. The room is open at 6:30pm for socializing and the meeting begins at 7pm. If inclement weather or other circumstances prevent in-person meeting, we will send out an email to members and hold the meeting via Zoom.

Meetings can be accessed virtually by Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82042351004?pwd=[REDACTED]

ACA Club Trip: Time to Play in Boats
2024-10-12 10:00 - 16:00 | Hideaway Harbor Park shore, 1550 Hideaway Harbor Dr,, Portage Des Sioux, MO, 63373
October 12 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Free – $11.50
This will be a fun day of playing in boats. If you have a great boat and you are willing to let other people try it out, bring it. Do you have a stand-up paddleboard with a rowing set-up you can bring? Maybe a pedal boat or a surf ski? Would you like to show off your gorgeous hand-crafted masterpiece? Perhaps you have a boat that looked like a good idea at the time, but you’d like to warn others about. Whitewater, big river, plastic, dragon, SOT, fiberglass, ducky, tandem, cheap, racing, canoe, fishing… you get the idea. All are welcome. If you do not yet have a boat, this is the place for you to find out what fits you and which details are important to you.
Bring your lunch and all the stuff you normally bring for a day on the river. Closed toed shoes recommended.
Bonfire to follow at Joan and Ron Twillman’s clubhouse. Hotdogs, chips, marshmallows, and everything in the refrigerator at the end of the summer will be provided. Bring a “covered dish” and anything else you would like. House has a microwave, electric skillet, small refrigerator. Running water is not potable. But there is indoor plumbing! Anyone have a blow log?
You can join us for the bonfire even if you don’t paddle with us earlier.
Trip leader: Joan Twillman, joantwillman@gmail.com
To attend this trip/event:

You must reserve ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
This provides the trip coordinator with important information for safety and communication and gives the club important information we need for reporting to ACA within 30 days of the event.

You must fill out an event-specific waiver. This waiver link includes options for ACA members and non-members, as well as adults and minors: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/VQhuvAST2cKXBQy8TqrTDL/

To chat about this event: If you want to chat about who is going, ask questions, arrange carpools, or check last minute updates, please see the relevant post on the Club-Sanctioned Trip Into & Comments section of our forums: https://stlcanoekayak.com/forums/

Cache River Trip
2024-10-19 18:00 - 2024-10-20 17:00 | Village of Karnak Campground, 186 Sawmill Road, Karnak, IL, 62956, United States
October 19 @ 6:00 pm – October 20 @ 5:00 pm Free – $11.50
Come explore the northern most cypress swamp in the country. Enjoy views of the oldest and largest cypress trees in the state of Illinois. The Cache River is a biodiverse environment with interesting views. Come paddle the Cache River Canoe Trail to enjoy a real bayou experience with no “gators”. It is an easy paddling with very flat water and no appreciable current.
We will be paddling the Cache River on Sunday and camping the night before at the Village of Karnak Campground. We will meet at the campground at 6:00 pm. I have site 16. To make a reservation, call 618-634-9311. (There are bathrooms and electric.) You can access a map to the campground below.
If you cannot join us for camping, meet us at 9:oo am Sunday morning at the Lower Cache River Access in Ullin, Illinois. Lower Cache River Access – Google Maps
Bring your lunch and everything you normally bring for a day on the river.
Suitable for young paddlers and their parents or guardians.

Trip leader: Debbie Dyle (dylemedebbie@gmail.com)
To attend this trip/event:

You must reserve ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
This provides the trip coordinator with important information for safety and communication and gives the club important information we need for reporting to ACA within 30 days of the event.

You must fill out an event-specific waiver. This waiver link includes options for ACA members and non-members, as well as adults and minors: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/t8ttJJ2ckz8YCgzDuEQYm/

To chat about this event: If you want to chat about who is going, ask questions, arrange carpools, or check last minute updates, please see the relevant post on the Club-Sanctioned Trip Into & Comments section of our forums: Club Sanctioned Trip Info & Comments – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club (stlcanoekayak.com)

Trip Leader Training
2024-10-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Shrewsbury Community Center, meeting room 1, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave,, Shrewsbury, MO, 63119, United States
October 23 @ 6:00– 8:00 pm Free
We are excited to offer a trip leader training to anyone who is interested in learning more about how to lead a trip. We are a paddling club, and we need more trips. Which means…we need more members who are willing to lead trips. So, come and hear about how simple we have made the process, what to consider when leading a trip, and basic first aid. The board and Eleanor Pardini will be taking care of all the administrative tasks involved in setting up a trip, so it really is not difficult. And we have laid out the process in a step-by-step format.
You are not making any commitments by coming. However, we would like all potential trip leaders to attend this event.
We will provide pizza and drinks.
To attend this event, please get a ticket (below) so we know how many participants we will have.

Monthly Club Meeting: Cold Water Safety
2024-11-07 06:30 - 20:30 | MO
John Meyer will be presenting on Cold Water Safety, including how immersion in cold water affects the body over time.
The St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club holds an open monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month, with some exceptions: we are usually off in July, we often hold a picnic in September, and we hold a holiday party in December. Meetings are open to ALL, whether you are a member, joining us after a break, or checking us out for the first time! See events calendar for upcoming meetings.
Meetings are held in the second floor meeting room at: Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119. The room is open at 6:30pm for socializing and the meeting begins at 7pm. If inclement weather or other circumstances prevent in-person meeting, we will send out an email to members and hold the meeting via Zoom.
**** This meeting will be held in Council Chambers on the first floor of the City Center; if you enter through lobby, go down the left hallway***
Meetings can be accessed virtually by Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82042351004?pwd=[REDACTED]

2024 Gateway Outdoor Expo
2024-11-22 - 2024-11-24 | St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Blvd., St. Charles, MO, 63303
Our club is hosting a booth with Team River Runner at the St. Charles Gateway Outdoor Expo Nov. 22-24. We need all hands on deck to staff our booth! This will be another great opportunity to let paddlers know about our club. And the Expo is really interesting…so much to see. Please use the link below to sign up for a volunteer timeslot:

We’re using SignUp (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps for the Gateway Outdoor Expo
Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: https://signup.com/go/ZTptAbq
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It’s Easy – you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.
Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

Annual Holiday Party and Potluck
2024-12-05 18:00 - 20:30 | Shrewsbury Community Center, meeting room 1, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave,, Shrewsbury, MO, 63119, United States
Come join us for a fun night of food and conversation with paddling friends. The Morgarts have graciously offered to provide the meat again this year. So, bring a side dish and enjoy!
The potluck will be in our usual room on the second floor of the Shrewsbury Community Center.
Please sign up by purchasing a ticket so we know how many to expect:

Annual New Year's Day Paddle on the Meramec
2025-01-01 10:30 - 15:00 | Route 66 SP boat ramp, 50 S Outer Road, Eureka, MO, 63025, United States
January 01/01/2025 @ 10:30 am Free – $11.50
Planning on doing my New Years Day paddle again this year. The plan is to meet at the Route 66 Park boat access at 10:30 am. We will be paddling upstream to where the Big River meets the Meramec and back to the put-in. We will stop for a short break and stretch on a gravel bar by the confluence of the two rivers. This is about a 6 mile paddle in total. Since we will be returning to the put-in there will not be any shuttling. This is generally flat water with little current
until we get close to the confluence so longer boats do better, but as everybody knows I generally don’t hurry on the water. Please be aware of the water and weather conditions and dress appropriately ( no cotton). If you do not have a dry suit or wet suit, bring additional clothes in a waterproof dry bag just in case (better safe than sorry). This trip as all trips will be weather and water conditions dependent and I will monitor these and post any cancellation or changes
to the plan just before the event, so be sure to check the website for these. I plan on eating a late lunch at Altos Cantina if anyone wants to join me.
Ps: When you sign up would you also go to the link in club sanctioned trip comments and add your name so other club members can see who is coming.
Trip leader: Dennis Strubberg (dfstrubberg@yahoo.com)
To attend this trip/event:

You must reserve ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
This provides the trip coordinator with important information for safety and communication and gives the club important information we need for reporting to ACA within 30 days of the event.
You must fill out an event-specific waiver. This waiver link includes options for ACA members and non-members, as well as adults and minors: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/Wni2icqJViApWC9dLiS6ke/

To chat about this event: If you want to chat about who is going, ask questions, arrange carpools, or check last minute updates, please see the relevant post on the Club-Sanctioned Trip Into & Comments section of our forums: Club Sanctioned Trip Info & Comments – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club (stlcanoekayak.com)

January Monthly Club Meeting
2025-01-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Shrewsbury Community Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63119, United States
This month’s meeting will include a presentation from MRWTA on the Mississippi Meanderings event being held later this month. The business meeting will cover the club’s financials and elicit input on various topics.
The St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club holds an open monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month, with some exceptions: we are usually off in July, we often hold a picnic in September, and we hold a holiday party in December. Meetings are open to ALL, whether you are a member, joining us after a break, or checking us out for the first time! See events calendar for upcoming meetings.
Meetings are held in the second floor meeting room at: Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119. The room is open at 6:30pm for socializing and the meeting begins at 7pm. If inclement weather or other circumstances prevent in-person meeting, we will send out an email to members and hold the meeting via Zoom.
Meetings can be accessed virtually by Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82042351004?pwd=[REDACTED]

Mississippi Meanderings
2025-01-25 12:00 - 17:00 | MO
https://mississippiriverwatertrail.org/event/mississippi-meanderings-2025/

February Monthly Club Meeting
2025-02-06 19:00 - 20:30 | MO
This month’s meeting will include a presentation from Team River Runner’s Sally Haywood on ACA instructor certification. She will cover the various levels of certification, and the process for becoming certified and maintaining certification. Also, Perry Whitaker from the Alpine Shop will be discussing spray skirts.
The St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club holds an open monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month, with some exceptions: we are usually off in July, we often hold a picnic in September, and we hold a holiday party in December. Meetings are open to ALL, whether you are a member, joining us after a break, or checking us out for the first time! See events calendar for upcoming meetings.
Meetings are held in the second floor meeting room at: Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119. The room is open at 6:30pm for socializing and the meeting begins at 7pm. If inclement weather or other circumstances prevent in-person meeting, we will send out an email to members and hold the meeting via Zoom.
Meetings can be accessed virtually by Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82042351004?pwd=[REDACTED]

Ice Jam at the Dam
2025-02-15 10:00 - 14:00 | National Great Rivers Museum, 1 Lock and Dam Way, Alton, IL, 62002, United States
February 15 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
The fourth annual Ice Jam at the Dam winter festival is being held at the National Great Rivers Museum. It will be a day of winter-themed fun, including live music from Chris Cahill & Co., educational vendor booths, food trucks, tours of the lock and dam, winter movies in the theater, crafts for kids, and more.
SLCKC will be participating in this event. This year our booth will be indoors (!!!). We need volunteers to be at our table. If you can help, please email our outreach committee chairperson, Randy Norris: randynorr@gmail.com

Women's Retreat
2025-02-15 16:00 - 2025-02-17 10:00 | Huzzah Hideaway
Ladies’ Huzzah Hideout Galentine Retreat

Saturday, February 15th @ 4pm – Monday, February 17th 10:00 am. (Monday is a federal holiday)
Come join us at the amazing Huzzah Hideout cabin in Crawford County, MO situated at the confluence of the Huzzah and Courtois Rivers. $150.00 for Sunday breakfast and dinner, Monday breakfast, and 2 nights lodging. Participants will bring Saturday evening appetizers and Sunday lunch. Activities include hiking, paddling (if weather permits), hot tub, barrel sauna, yoga, vision board, and a cozy fireplace. This is a great opportunity to relax and pamper yourself as well as get to know some of the other ladies in SLCKC. Cabin includes 3 bedrooms and a large sleeping room in basement. A short walk to the Huzzah River.
Limit: 12 participants.
To attend this event:

You must fill out a smartwaiver. (This is new.) Here is the link: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/Kmd7icASC5uLAgwdF3aDLF/
You MUST pay when you register.
Pay with Dorine’s Venmo (below)
Email Dorine at the same time to let her know you are coming. dorinetrappers2022@gmail.com
Payment is nonrefundable but transferable (unless trip is canceled). You will get to pick your sleeping spot when you register, so register early.

To chat about this event: If you want to chat about who is going, ask questions, arrange carpools, or check last minute updates, you can email Dorine and/or see the relevant post on the Club-Sanctioned Trip Into & Comments section of our forums: Club Sanctioned Trip Info & Comments – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club (stlcanoekayak.com)

March Monthly Club Meeting: First Aid Training
2025-03-06 18:30 - 20:30 | MO
Please Note: This meeting will be held in the council chambers on the first floor of the Shrewsbury Community Center.
This month we are pleased to have Kathy Pszonka giving us an abbreviated first aid training.
The St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club holds an open monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month, with some exceptions: we are usually off in July, we often hold a picnic in September, and we hold a holiday party in December. Meetings are open to ALL, whether you are a member, joining us after a break, or checking us out for the first time! See events calendar for upcoming meetings.
Meetings are usually held in the second floor meeting room at: Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119. The room is open at 6:30pm for socializing and the meeting begins at 7pm. If inclement weather or other circumstances prevent in-person meeting, we will send out an email to members and hold the meeting via Zoom.
Meetings can be accessed virtually by Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82042351004?pwd=[REDACTED]

Big Creek Trip
2025-03-15 09:00 - 17:00 | Sam A. Baker State Park store, Patterson, MO, 63956
March 15 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Free – $11.50
This is an intro to whitewater trip that is appropriate for paddlers with intermediate to advance skills. You owe it to yourself to check out Big Creek. It is not really all THAT big, but it is beautiful. The easy Class I to II rating means that even paddlers with little whitewater experience can have fun without risking life and limb unless the creek is in flood stage, then WATCH OUT! Typical of creek boating, this one has some tight, technical turns that can make trees and bushes jump out and bite you when the creek flows high and strong currents develop. However, paddlers with competent boating skills should be able to navigate the “hazards” without a lot of difficulty. There are 2 nice little rock gardens that are easily portaged if you do not want to run them. The short run gives an all-day experience that ends in the very scenic Sam A. Baker State Park, a perfect place to camp when you are finished with your run.
The appropriate boats are all plastic boats under 15 feet. We will meet at the Sam A Baker State Park Store at 9:00 AM and then shuttle up to the 143 bridge to start. Dress for immersion. Wet suits or dry suits are preferred. Bring change of clothes in a dry bag. Helmets are not required but are advised. You will also need to bring a lunch and drinks for the trip. This is a 10-mile trip.
Directions I-55 south to US 67 south for 80 miles you will get off on MO 34 west and then turn right onto MO 143 to the park. We will meet at the store which is on the right side of the highway.

Trip Leader : Dave Haessig 314-304-7970 dghaessig@yahoo.com
To attend this trip/event:

You must reserve ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
This provides the trip coordinator with important information for safety and communication and gives the club important information we need for reporting to ACA within 30 days of the event.
You must fill out an event-specific waiver. This waiver link includes options for ACA members and non-members, as well as adults and minors: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/o4thXdSQDdb4fhvxtQ4YFX/

To chat about this event: If you want to chat about who is going, ask questions, arrange carpools, or check last minute updates, please see the relevant post on the Club-Sanctioned Trip Into & Comments section of our forums: Club Sanctioned Trip Info & Comments – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club (stlcanoekayak.com)
We will also be posting on the Club Sanctioned Trips forum the names of people who have signed up for the trip.

Club table at Alpine Shop Spring Showcase
2025-03-28 17:00 - 2025-03-30 17:00 | Alpine Shop
Come help us staff our table at the Alpine Shop Spring Showcase. If you can help, please email Randy, our outreach chairperson: randynorr@gmail.com
Randy will also be doing a presentation on Sunday at noon on the best places to paddle in St. Louis.

April Monthly Club Meeting
2025-04-03 18:30 - 20:30 | Shrewsbury Community Center, meeting room 1, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave,, Shrewsbury, MO, 63119, United States
This month one of our members, Cathy McCredie, will be showing us stretching exercises for kayaking. This is so important to keep our muscles from injury, especially as we get older. Cathy wrote:
“We will cover both stretching and strengthening. This will be a participatory presentation. I suggest wearing comfortable clothing.”
We will also be doing a follow-up discussion of trip planning.
The St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club holds an open monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month, with some exceptions: we are usually off in July, we often hold a picnic in September, and we hold a holiday party in December. Meetings are open to ALL, whether you are a member, joining us after a break, or checking us out for the first time! See events calendar for upcoming meetings.
Meetings are usually held in the second floor meeting room at: Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119. The room is open at 6:30pm for socializing and the meeting begins at 7pm. If inclement weather or other circumstances prevent in-person meeting, we will send out an email to members and hold the meeting via Zoom.
Meetings can be accessed virtually by Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82042351004?pwd=[REDACTED]

Lake Carlyle Paddle - This trip has been cancelled.
2025-04-05 10:00 - 2025-04-06 17:00 | Eldon Hazlet State Park boat ramp, Carlyle, IL, 62231, United States
April 5 @ 10:00 am – April 6 @ 5:00 pm
This trip has been cancelled.

Buffalo River Trip
2025-04-12 08:00 - 2025-04-13 17:00 | Steel Creek Campground, Buffalo River Trail, Jasper, AR, 72641
April 12@ 8:00 am– April 13 @ 5:00 pm Free – $11.50
This is a car camping trip on the Buffalo River. We will paddle the upper Buffalo starting at Steel Creek and paddle to Kyle’s Landing Saturday and Sunday we will paddle from Kyle’s Landing to Erbie. Appropriate boats are all plastic boats 15 feet or shorter. This trip is for intermediate to advanced paddlers. There is camping both at Steel Creek (reservable through recreation.gov) and Kyle’s landing (first come first get). You will need to bring camping gear and food. On Saturday we will hike to Hemmed in Hallow, which is off the river. You will want to bring hiking shoes or boots. Saturday’s paddle will be 8 miles and Sunday’s is 6 miles. You will need to pack lunch for both days and plenty to drink. Dress for immersion, preferably a drysuit or wet suit or change of clothes in a dry bag.
Buffalo became the Buffalo National River by Act of Congress on March 1, 1972, and was the first river ever designated as a “national river”, a designation that protects natural rivers from dams, impoundments and other obstructions that change the character of the river and disrupt the natural land and water life that flourishes there. The Upper section has all of the whitewater rapids to be found along the river but also features some very beautiful topography among which are sink holes and caves, springs and waterfalls, 500+ foot tall bluffs overlooking the river and many interesting rock formations that captivate the attention of those into rock structures and the stories they tell. The Upper Buffalo is a great place to paddle in northern Arkansas.
The scenery coming out of the Ozarks is breath-taking. With a gradient of about 11 feet per mile the river drops at a respectable rate, creating a good current when there is adequate water to paddle. The milky green color of the water, due to naturally occurring infusions of minerals, is characteristic of several Arkansas rivers including the Buffalo. Water temperatures can be quite cold (low 40’s) in the dead of winter, and a comfortable 80+ degrees in mid-summer. While not the biggest rapids in Arkansas, the Upper Buffalo offers spectacular vistas and good, fun rapids that for novice to intermediate paddlers.
The Upper Buffalo National River is rich in ecosystem diversity. The banks are lined with dense forests of gorgeous trees that are home to many species of birds, animals and plants. Though seldom seem, there are black bears and mountain lions in this area, so be careful about how you store food and anything else with a fragrance that may smell like food to an animal. You may also see a herd of elk grazing in the pasture on the right as you enter the launch area at the Ponca low water bridge. Skunks and raccoons may be the biggest “threat” you will encounter. If you are into off-river exploration, then a short hike up to Hemmed-in-Hollow will reveal the highest waterfall in this part of the nation – a 200-foot high cascade with a plateau from which you can gaze down upon the river below. The trail can be tough on those without adequate conditioning for somewhat steep climbing, but the view is worth the effort! Be sure to bring your camera.

Trip Leader Dave Haessig 314-304-7970 dghaessig@yahoo.com
To attend this trip/event:

You must reserve ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
This provides the trip coordinator with important information for safety and communication and gives the club important information we need for reporting to ACA within 30 days of the event.
You must fill out an event-specific waiver. This waiver link includes options for ACA members and non-members, as well as adults and minors: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/mHaqrk7yQ49aCoT26Fx38F/

To chat about this event: If you want to chat about who is going, ask questions, arrange carpools, or check last minute updates, please see the relevant post on the Club-Sanctioned Trip Into & Comments section of our forums: Club Sanctioned Trip Info & Comments – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club (stlcanoekayak.com)
We will also be posting on the Club Sanctioned Trips forum the names of people who have signed up for the trip.

Meramec River Overnight
2025-04-22 10:00 - 2025-04-24 15:00 | Woodson K Woods Conservation Area, Steelville, MO, MO, 65565, United States
April 22@ 10:00 pm – April 24@ 3:00 pm Free – $11.50
3 day, 2 night kayak camping on the Meramec River
Fed by the Meramec Spring and many smaller springs, the Meramec is floated most of the year. The most floated sections are those between Meramec Spring and Meramec State Park, although there is still much reasonably attractive river down to St. Clair or even Pacific. Beyond that point, however, real estate developments, railroads, and industry may make the river unattractive to some paddlers. For those who do not mind these distractions, the river is floatable right down to the Mississippi. Difficulty: I, seldom II.
This will be a leisurely paddle from Woodson K Woods Conservation area (mile marker 26.2) to Onondaga Cave State Park (mile marker 68.4). and we’ll stop for photo opportunities and for anything that looks interesting. Bring enough food and water and other beverages for 3 days and two nights. Bring appropriate camping and paddling gear for the forecasted weather. Remember that your paddle gear is determined by the water temperature. A dry suit or wet suit may be advisable. If you are interested in camping before or after the trip, Onondaga State Park is a good place, but you need to make your own arrangements. Let the Trip Leader know if you are going to do this.
This trip is suitable for minors who are strong paddlers (we will be covering over 30 miles.)
Recommended boats: canoes and 12′-14′ kayaks.
We can meet at REI (1214 Town and Country Crossing Dr, Town and Country, MO 63017) on Hwy 141 at 10am to caravan to take out at Onondaga State Park. We will consolidate cars there and drive up to put in at Scott’s Ford Access, or we can meet you at the river access.
We will post trip updates on the trip forum.
https://mostateparks.com/park/onondaga-cave-state-park
https://www.floatmissouri.com/plan/missouri-rivers/meramec-river/
Trip leader: Eileen Lenkman eileen.lenkman@sbcglobal.net
To attend this trip/event:

You must reserve ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
This provides the trip coordinator with important information for safety and communication and gives the club important information we need for reporting to ACA within 30 days of the event.
You must fill out an event-specific waiver. This waiver link includes options for ACA members and non-members, as well as minors. https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/JGRJJF76UkYp4xLmcsHNwY/

To chat about this event: If you want to chat about who is going, ask questions, arrange carpools, or check last minute updates, please see the relevant post on the Club-Sanctioned Trip Into & Comments section of our forums: Meramec River Trip April 22-24 – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club

Bourbeuse River Fishing (or not) Trip
2025-04-26 07:00 - 17:00 | Mill Rock Access Bourbeuse River
April 26 @ 7:00 am – 5:00 pm Free – $11.50

This will be a 7-mile leisurely float from Mill Rock Access to Wenkel Ford. Fishing is the primary purpose of the trip, but it is open to anyone interested in a slower pace. This underutilized river is surprising scenic with sandstone bluffs along a good portion of this route. Fishing is usually good. This trip is appropriate for paddlers with an intermediate skill level. Please do not bring a boat over 14′ long.
Minors are welcome if accompanied by their parent.
Bring a lunch, snacks, and enough liquids to stay hydrated. Sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses and a hat would probably come in handy. PFD’s will be required. Since the water will still be fairly chilly, a change of clothes in a dry bag should be brought in case of immersion. This trip will be contingent on a favorable river level and weather on the day of the event.
Meet at the Eureka Walmart parking lot at 7AM to consolidate gear to as few vehicles as possible, then proceed to the put in point at Mill Rock Access. We would then shuttle as many vehicles as possible to Wenkel Ford.
If anyone feels they must drive directly to the put in point take I-44 west and get off at exit 225 in Sullivan. Turn right and immediately left on Hwy WW to Hwy 185 ( about 1/2 mile.) Turn right on Hwy 185 and go about 2 miles to Hwy H. Take Hwy H 11 miles to Mill Rock Rd. turn right on Mill Rock Rd. and go 2.5 miles to Access. Do not follow directions from any GPS device, as it will take you to the wrong side of the river where there is no parking and no access.

Trip leader: Gary Strohmeyer gstroh@sbcglobal.net

To attend this trip/event:

You must reserve ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
This provides the trip coordinator with important information for safety and communication and gives the club important information we need for reporting to ACA within 30 days of the event.
You must fill out an event-specific waiver. This waiver link includes options for ACA members and non-members, as well as adults and minors: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/BjoUzt9C6xPAWLJxvAGqBj/

To chat about this event: If you want to chat about who is going, ask questions, arrange carpools, or check last minute updates, please see the relevant post on the Club-Sanctioned Trip Into & Comments section of our forums: Club Sanctioned Trip Info & Comments – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club (stlcanoekayak.com)
We will also be posting on the Club Sanctioned Trips forum the names of people who have signed up for the trip.

May Monthly Club Meeting
2025-05-01 18:30 - 20:30 | Shrewsbury Community Center, meeting room 1, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave,, Shrewsbury, MO, 63119, United States
May 1 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Jim Bensman will have a presentation on a GPS app for kayakers.
The St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club holds an open monthly meeting on the first Thursday of every month, with some exceptions: we are usually off in July, we often hold a picnic in September, and we hold a holiday party in December. Meetings are open to ALL, whether you are a member, joining us after a break, or checking us out for the first time! See events calendar for upcoming meetings.
Meetings are usually held in the second floor meeting room at: Shrewsbury City Center, 5200 Shrewsbury Ave, St. Louis, MO 63119. The room is open at 6:30pm for socializing and the meeting begins at 7pm. If inclement weather or other circumstances prevent in-person meeting, we will send out an email to members and hold the meeting via Zoom.
Meetings can be accessed virtually by Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82042351004?pwd=[REDACTED]

Little Piney Creek Trip
2025-05-03 09:00 - 17:00 | Newburg Access, Newberg, MO, United States
May 3 @ 9:00 am Free – $11.50
The Little Piney is a tributary of the Gasconade River in south central Missouri. It flows from the Lane Sprints through the town of Newburg to the Gasconade River. The Little Piney is more creek than a river and has excellent fishing and some technical paddling. It doesn’t often get clear of debris, so there are a lot of fallen trees that can cause jams. That is where the technical part comes in. If you are in a kayak, you may be able to wriggle around most of them. In a canoe, not so much. It also takes some precise turning to get around the jams, so if you are a novice, you will either be portaging or falling out of your boat a lot.
We will meet at the Newburg access at 9:00 am, then shuttle up to the put in. This will be a 10-mile paddle. Appropriate boats are plastic boats under 15 feet. This trip is appropriate for all paddlers. There is a possibility of log jams that we may have to portage around. You will need to bring a lunch and liquids to drink.
Trip Leader Dave Haessig 314-304-7970 dghaessig@yahoo.com
Direction I-44 west and exit 179 highway T south to Newburg access where the highway crosses the Little Piney. It is about an hour and 45 minutes from mid St. Louis.

To attend this trip/event:

You must reserve ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
This provides the trip coordinator with important information for safety and communication and gives the club important information we need for reporting to ACA within 30 days of the event.
You must fill out THIS waiver if you ARE an ACA member (even if you already have an annual waiver signed with ACA). This is a NEW waiver our club will be using for the rest of the year, and you only need to sign this waiver once. (Where it says, “Name of Event”, put “SLCKC annual waiver.”) https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/VSyMLYT6M3s3w4jDmWBhwN/
If you or your attending child are not an ACA member, fill out this waiver. It includes options for adults and minors:

https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/cacBcijaVgHMfpfjRKHXMo/

To chat about this event: If you want to chat about who is going, ask questions, arrange carpools, or check last minute updates, please see the relevant post on the Club-Sanctioned Trip Into & Comments section of our forums: Club Sanctioned Trip Info & Comments – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club (stlcanoekayak.com)
We will also be posting on the Club Sanctioned Trips forum the names of people who have signed up for the trip.

Current River Weekend Overnight
2025-05-10 08:00 - 2025-05-11 17:00 | Akers Ferry Lower Canoe Access, Akers Ferry Lower Canoe Access, Jadwin, MO 65501, Jadwin, MO, 65501, United States
May 10 @ 8:00 am – May 11 @ 5:00 pm Free – $11.50
Ticket sales end May 7th.
Trip leader: Ed Bayham edwardbayham@gmail.com
This will be a weekend overnight kayaking trip on the beautiful Current River. We’ll be leaving from Aker’s Ferry (mile marker 15.7) and paddle to the Lower Round Spring Access (mile marker 34.2), spending Saturday night on a gravel bar somewhere. People can drive down Saturday morning or spend Friday night at Round Spring State Park https://www.nps.gov/ozar/planyourvisit/round-spring-campground.htm. (Akers campground is closed from the flooding last year.) You will make your own camping reservation if applicable. Arrangements can be made to carpool if there is interest. Our goal is to start the back shuttle at 8am on Saturday morning so if you are considering driving down Saturday morning, don’t be late.
The most spring-fed of all the Ozark rivers, the Current River may be floated at almost any time of the year, particularly below Welch Spring. It seldom freezes over and has been a favorite for the annual New Year’s float of a large group of Missouri canoeists. Due to the increase in size of the river and the frequency of motorboats below Big Spring, most canoe trips are made on the sections above Big Spring. In normal water, it is a very safe river with no sections which could properly be termed rapids.
Difficulty: I, occasionally II. Please be aware that there may be some small rapids and strainers. Know what to do if you encounter a strainer. River Hazards & How To Survive Them | Paddling.com
https://missouriscenicrivers.com/current-mile-by-mile
This trip is suitable for minors who are strong paddlers.
Recommended boats: canoes and 12′-14′ kayaks.
To attend this trip/event:

You must reserve ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
This provides the trip coordinator with important information for safety and communication and gives the club important information we need for reporting to ACA within 30 days of the event.
You must fill out THIS waiver if you ARE an ACA member (even if you already have an annual waiver signed with ACA). This is a NEW waiver our club will be using for the rest of the year, and you only need to sign this waiver once. (Where it says, “Name of Event”, put “SLCKC annual waiver.”) https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/VSyMLYT6M3s3w4jDmWBhwN/
If you or your attending child are not an ACA member, fill out this waiver. It includes options for adults and minors: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/C6JexJaUvHDnK8xnPwmuhT/

To chat about this event: If you want to chat about who is going, ask questions, arrange carpools, or check last minute updates, please see the relevant post on the Club-Sanctioned Trip Into & Comments section of our forums: Current River Overnight May 10-11 – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club
