Whitewater rapids await Iowa Games contestants

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Eskimo rolls, stern squirts and eddy line cartwheels.

No, those are not the new breakfast options at your local cafe.

Think canoes, kayaks and a raging river obstacle course.

Throw in some polished whitewater thrill seekers and what you have is plenty of excitement on the Cedar River this Saturday.

The Iowa Summer Games makes it return to Charles City this weekend with plenty of whitewater events for all to see. Scores of competitors will converge on the banks of the Cedar River, then take a dip into the water with their chosen vessel to see who comes out on top.

The Iowa Games has held its whitewater competition in Charles City at Riverfront Park since 2012 and features a wide array of events and divisions.

Piper Wall, who hails from Ames and has been commissioner since the sport’s inception into the Iowa Summer Games in 2011, said she is excited to see what challenges the course will bring to whitewater enthusiasts this summer.

“The support of Charles City is just amazingly fantastic,” said Wall. “It’s a great place to be able to set up.”

Wall, along with other organizers, will roll into town Friday and design the course, which will consist of 10 to 18 gates — poles hanging from lines stretched across the river — that contestants have to maneuver through in a timed or judged run.

Gates are arranged on the river to not favor left- or right-handed paddlers and are predominantly on the left bank of the river. Steering clear of large rocks or boulders is also recommended. Touching a gate results in a 5-second penalty and missing a gate all together adds 50 seconds to a time.

The key to success and the ability to be good in whitewater, according to Wall, is realizing the current differentials.

“The deal is you’re moving with moving water and rocks and bad things can happen,” she said.

Charles City’s whitewater course was the first constructed in Iowa, and is now one of three in the state along with Elkader and Manchester. Wall calls Charles City’s her favorite.

There are three distinct features on Charles City’s course.  

“The top wave in Charles City offers some spectacular wave riding,” said Wall. “There’s some fun play over a huge range of flows.”

Wall and organizers of the event will be paying close attention to the river levels leading up to the games.

Last weekend’s Charles City Whitewater Challenge had to be postponed after repeated thunderstorms increased the river’s flow. No makeup date has been set for that event, although organizers plan to reschedule it.

Wall said the discharge will have to be under 3,000 cubic feet per second in order to be able to safely compete on the river, a decision that could be made Friday during the setup.

Wall also said if the river is too high, the boulders placed in the course aren’t exposed and other features are too deep, making it less than ideal for competitors.

Those wanting to compete in the games can sign up the day of the event. It’s $27 for the entry fee, with a maximum of four events. Wall expects around 30 to 40 participants.

Those competing use canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, rafts and riverboards to circumvent the obstacle course. Contestants can choose four events from a selection of slalom, downriver, raft, riverboard, swim, paddle swim, swimmer tow, and throw rope. Each registered participant gets two runs in those events. Age groups range from “Under 12” to “Over 70.”

The whitewater games run from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be an informational meeting at 8:30 a.m. at the second feature.

Charles City is also looking for volunteers to help out with the games. Help is needed in event timing, line-up of participants, recording times, tally of results, registration, set-up/clean-up and floaters as needed. Questions can be directed to the Charles City Chamber at 641-228-4234.