Kids paddle through CC Whitewater

Bremer County Conservation provides kayaking lesson

By Amie Johansen | amie@charlescitypress.com

“Come on! Paddle, paddle, paddle,” words of encouragement were shouted from the banks Wednesday morning as 14 middle school students made their way through Charles City’s whitewater course.

“It’s our Outdoor Explorer Program,” Bremer County Naturalist Heather Gamm said.

For over 15 years, Bremer County Conservation has been working with Darrin Siefken, owner of CrawDaddy Outdoors in Waverly, to introduce kayaking to middle school students.

Bremer County Conservation regularly holds day camps. Wednesday, the whitewater course in Charles City was their classroom.

“Rockford has it’s own nature center,” Gamm said. “We don’t have that.” According to Gamm, without a nature center area for holding day camps, Bremer County takes day trips.

This particular day camp was extremely popular.

“We had to turn people away,” Gamm said. “Maybe we’ll offer it once or twice in the summer.”

However, increasing the amount of times the day camp is offered will depend on the availability of Siefken. According to Gamm, all the kayaks, paddles, life vests and helmets are property of CrawDaddy Outdoors. Not only are they borrowing CrawDaddy’s gear, but Siefken is also qualified to give kayaking instruction. According to Gamm, she took her first classes on kayaking from Siefken.

Before entering into the water, Siefken took the day camp participants for a walk along the river. He pointed out potential hazards and dangers and how to avoid being swept away. Siefken also spoke to the children about the dangers of kayaking, swimming or boating too near a dam.

After being cautioned and instructed how to handle their kayak, participants were ready to push off. Though excited, many entered the water with a healthy respect for the whitewater feature.

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