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Mary Anne

March 19, 2021 By Mary Anne

Scholarship winners!

Congratulations to our two scholarship winners! Each will receive $500.

Bradley Heinemann from Egan, SD was the first recipient. Brad plans to attend Dakota State University majoring in Cyber Operations.

Next winner is Caeden Bunde of Garretson, SD. Caeden plans to attend SDSU for ag business.

Congratulations!

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February 6, 2021 By Mary Anne

SDSA RECEIVES ISMA GRANT

South Dakota Snowmobile Association (SDSA) is excited to announce that we’ve been awarded a $3000 grant through The International Snowmobile Manufacturer’s Association (ISMA) to help us host a successful Governor’s Ride in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

ISMA is an organization representing the four snowmobile manufacturers (Arctic Cat, Ski-doo, Polaris, & Yamaha). They coordinate committees within the industry to handle concerns such as safety, promoting the lifestyle activity of snowmobiling, document accurate statistics, reporting the growth of the industry and the positive economic impact snowmobiling has throughout the world.

SDSA is host to the annual Governor’s Snowmobile Ride headquartered from Hardy Camp, near Lead, SD which is held on the Saturday of the President’s Day Weekend in February. This year’s ride, the 42nd, will be held on February 13th in honor of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and her family, as well as Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden and all South Dakota Senators and Representatives. Invitations have also been extended to US Forest Service, Black Hills Badlands and Lakes Association, and several key people from South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks (GF&P).

The Governor’s Ride is an opportunity for SDSA members to showcase the Black Hills Snowmobile Trail system, one of the finest in the country featuring 350 miles of marked and groomed trails. This annual event continues to grow in legislative attendees and continues to increase the opportunities SDSA has to foster relationships that can be used to secure and maintain the necessary support from the legislators for land access throughout the Black Hills Snowmobile Trail system as well as the 1100+ miles of trail that make up the East River Trail System. Also highlighted throughout the day is the $130 million economic impact that snowmobiling brings to South Dakota on an annual basis.

The Governor’s Ride is a full day event beginning with a brunch breakfast served at Hardy Camp. This year’s breakfast will be served by the Black Hills Snowmobile Club.

A short program allows for dignitary introductions, keynote speakers,extending SDSA’s appreciation to partners and sponsors and an explanation of the rules of the day and safety on the trail. The Black Hills Trails District Supervisor, along with assistance from the SDSA’s Governor’s Ride Committee, is responsible for planning the ride route which will be dependant also upon snow conditions. The route itself is approximately 3 hours with a stopping point mid-way through the route at a scenic campground or meadow area. This spot provides a time for discussing the trail conditions, the fun and excitement of snowmobiling and to answer any questions on snowmobiling the guests may have. The event concludes with an evening social.

Participants are assigned to specific groups which are led by SDSA Board of Directors and Governor’s Advisory Council members. The number and size of groups are determined by actual attendance with the ideal size of group being between 12-15 sleds. Groups are identified by colors with coordinating colored flags on the staging area, on the guest’s sleds, on the breakfast tables and also on the participant’s arm bands. This color coordination has become a vital organizational tool used to gather group members together, putting riders with the assigned sleds at the staging area, keeping groups together and keeping track of the riders throughout the day. Each group has 2-4 red bibbers to lead the group, ride in the middle of the group and bring up the end of the group. This format ensures no rider is left behind and assistance will be readily available if needed.

SDSA is a non-profit corporation comprised of 21 snowmobile clubs across the entire state. Membership includes approximately 1000 families and individual memberships along with over 100 associate (business) memberships in South Dakota. While the 350-mile Black Hills Trails system is marked, groomed and maintained by the SD Game Fish and Parks, there are 15 clubs that mark, groom and maintain over 1100 miles East River and 11 different trail systems as part of the Grant-in-Aid Program through the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. SDSA is dedicated to the preservation of snowmobiling as a safe and organized, Family Sport. The purpose of this association is to promote, protect, and represent snowmobiling in a positive, safe manner, bringing together people who have a common interest and enjoy exciting and constructive snowmobiling activities. Greg Nordstrom of Sioux Falls currently serves as President, with Jon LaFramboise of Rapid City as Past President. Duane Duerr of Brandon is our President – Elect. Each area of the state is served by a District Director: Mike Boock, Rapid City; Kelly Weaver, Aberdeen; Tracey Erickson, Arlington; Pat Hanten-Duerr, Brandon; Jason Shepherd, Watertown; Trace Damm Lake Norden. Kirsten VanDenHemel of Sioux Falls represents the YETIS (Youth Empowerment through Involvement in Snowmobiling), SDSA’s recently organized youth group. Mary Anne Grabow, Gary is Editor and Secretary and Diane Hiles, DeSmet is the Association’s Treasurer.

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January 5, 2021 By Mary Anne

SDSA names Pat McCoy as Groomer of the Year

Pat McCoy of the Aberdeen Driftbusters was named Groomer of the Year at the 51st Annual Convention.

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January 5, 2021 By Mary Anne

SDSA names the MCCOY FAMILY as Family of the Year

The Pat McCoy’s have been members of the Driftbusters since 2019 but the McCoys have been snowmobiling for 21 years. Dennis & Ann McCoy have been members of MN USA for many years.Pat and Jennifer help the Driftbusters with whatever projects they can. All of them are knowledgeable about snowmobiling and are willing to talk to people to get new people involved. Pat operates the groomer and Pat an dJen help sign 20 miles of trail. Dennis taught snowmobile safety courses in Minnesota.

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January 5, 2021 By Mary Anne

Larkyn Luckasson named SDSA Youth Snowmobiler of the Year

Larkyn is a very energetic girl that loves everything outdoors. Larkyn likes all animals, especially puppies, cats, and horses.
This past year Larkyn has shown a big interest in snowmobiling. She made it to most club meetings and always asked if she can go back to see her “friends.” Larkyn lives in Tea, South Dakota. There has not been much snow locally, so the only trip she was able to attend, was the Trailbusters Club trip to Mallow Camp in the Black Hills. She rode with her dad every day. She was also able to ride a youth snowmobile that another club member brought with. She was in heaven.
Larkyn is also very willing to help out with the club. In the spring of 2020, Larkyn went along to help remove club signs. After attending the October Trailbusters Club meeting, Larkyn is planning on helping install trail signs on November 1st.
Larkyn has not been able to take a safety course yet. She is planning on taking one next time we have a safety course available locally. Larkyn has had instruction for snowmobile safety. She knows to wear a helmet and goggles. She also knows not to go too fast and knows to use the brakes. She is also aware that two people do not ride the 120 at the same time.
For the past three years, Larkyn has helped pick out toys and clothing to be given to a child need from around the world. This was through the Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox project.
In October, Larkyn received her very own Polaris Indy 120. She was able to ride it after the first snowfall of the season. She also plans on taking it to the Snowy’s in Wyoming, Togwotee Pass in Wyoming, and the Black Hills in South Dakota this coming season.

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January 5, 2021 By Mary Anne

2020 SDSA Teen Snowmobiler of the Year Jalen Hohm

Club: Town & Country Snowdrifters

Parents: Jamie & Colleen Hohm

Have you participated in a snowmobile safety program?
I have not only participated in snowmobile safety programs as a student, but as a helper as well. I enjoy going along with my dad to help teach the young kids how to be safe. It is fun to see how excited they get when they get their chance to ride on the snowmobile simulator.

What snowmobiling functions have you participated in during the previous snowmobiling season? List local, state, and charity.
Every fall, my family and I mark the snowmobile trail in the Willow Lake area to ensure safe riding for all the snowmobile riders. It is also my job to help take it out every spring. I attend and participate in the monthly meetings for the Town & Country Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club. I enjoyed helping our club with our annual fundraiser drive and UTV/ATV poker run this year. A highlight of this past year was attending the 50th Annual Snowmobile Convention in Watertown, SD with my family and friends. It is a great time for me to meet up with some old friends and meet new ones as well.

What do you foresee for the future of snowmobiling?
I see awesome things for the future of snowmobiling in the state of South Dakota. It is such a great reason for family and friends to get together and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. We discuss some of the obstacles that we have to overcome in our monthly meetings like Fat Tire Bikes, land, money, and decreasing club members. I recently wrote a persuasive and informative essay to help educate the public about the effect Fat Tire Bikers are having on our snowmobile trails. It was my way of helping get the information out there to the people of all ages within my community. As a young member, I am going to remain positive and do whatever I can to help keep our trails open. I continually try and recruit my friends and their families to join our club. Snowmobiling is a great experience for everyone, young and old, and I hope that I can enjoy it for years to come.

What Snowmobiling Means to Me
By: Jalen Rose Hohm

Snowmobiling holds a very special place in my heart. Not only is it a hobby that I share with my family and friends, but it is a way for me to keep my brother’s memory alive. He absolutely loved to ride! We would spend hours in the yard riding and pulling each other on the sled behind. Those were the best days!!

My brother and I still ride together, just in a different way. As I ride on the freshly groomed trails that I help mark, or out in the beautiful Black Hills, he watches me from above making sure I do “everything right”. Snowmobiling is a great way for us to stay connected.

Snowmobiling is a big part of my family’s life and I can’t wait to teach my little sister how to ride safely. We are going to create some amazing memories!! I hope she loves it as much as I do. It is a time to experience the beauty of God’s country and enjoy the peace that it gives. I forget the stress of being a teenager and just ride. Being a teenager is a busy time, but I drop everything when my dad asks if I want to ride with him.

As you can see, snowmobiling has been a part of my life since I was little. I wouldn’t have it any other way! My dad says “a family that snowmobiles together, stays together”. May we all “Forever Ride Together”.

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