Summer Iowa Games whitewater contest in Charles City on Saturday

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Some of the 2021 Summer Iowa Games have been going on since May, and most of the competitions won’t happen until July and August. But one event is happening this coming Saturday, and it’s happening right here in Charles City.

The Charles City Whitewater Park on June 19th will again host the Summer Iowa Games Whitewater Slalom events  — competitions in more than a dozen events, open to men, women and coed groups in eight different age classes.

The events will run from 9 a.m. until late afternoon, depending on the number of entries.

Events will be concentrated in six general areas:

• Slalom events will have one kayak or canoe or stand up paddle board (SUP) paddling through a numbered series of 10 to 18 gates (hanging poles) on the whitewater course while timed; for solo or tandem entries.
• Downriver sprint events will have one kayak or canoe or SUP paddling from the start through the finish while timed; for solo or tandem entries.
• Raft racing will have one raft paddling from the start around at least two obstacles and then through the finish while timed; for teams of two to four paddlers.
• Riverboard racing will have one riverboard or boogie board propelled by the rider from the start through the finish while timed.
• Swim, paddle swim, and swimmer tow events will occur at the downstream side of the first drop and will involve crossing from the river right bank to the river left bank while going downstream as little as possible.
• Throw rope events will occur at the first drop and will involve throwing to and swinging in a swimmer.

Age groups are under 12, 12-17, 18-29, 30-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70 and over 70.

Most of the 2020 Summer Iowa Games were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this summer thousands of Iowans are again competing in more than 50 sports ranging from archery to zumba.

The largest single concentration of contests will take place in Ames and on the Iowa State University Campus from July 29 to Aug. 1, but various events are held around the state in the weeks leading up and following that.

Organizers say most competitions will happen from July 10 through August 31 with 27 sports taking place July 29 through August 1 during the main weekend of the Games.

For more information and registration for the 2021 Summer Iowa Games, visit www.iowagames.org.