Brave contestants take icy plunge at Cedar River Shiver

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

As anyone from Iowa knows, if you don’t like the weather just wait awhile and it will change.

Last year’s Cedar River Shiver, scheduled for late March, was called off because a thaw had raised the water level, causing swift currents and debris that threatened the safety of anyone going into the river.

Last year’s Cabin Fever Weekend, scheduled for the last weekend in January, faced wind chills that dipped into the minus-40-degree range and almost reached 70 degrees below zero, causing many of the outdoor activities to be canceled.

This year couldn’t have been nicer, with bright blue skies and temperatures above freezing for much of the day.

“We can’t control the winter weather, so we might as well have fun with it,” said Mark Wicks, Charles City community development director.

This year’s Shiver — now held as part of Cabin Fever Weekend — saw 27 contestants pay for the opportunity to enter the frigid water of the Cedar River after walking down the Riverfront boat ramp.

Many fearless participants were in costume as they entered into the murky unknown.

“This time last year we were in polar vortex,” said Wicks.

That artic blast was nowhere to be seen on Saturday, but that didn’t mean the water had gotten any warmer.

“This is about as perfect as it can get because it’s still cold, obviously there’s still ice in the water, but it’s not dangerously cold to be outside on,” said Wicks. “The water temperature is pretty much what it is this time of year because it takes a long time to warm the water up. The water was going to be cold no matter what.”

Wicks said one year organizers had to break through the ice in order to get the event under way.

Community Revitalization first put on the icy challenge – which doles out awards for best costume and oldest plunger, among others – in March 2012.

“The very first year we did this it was in the 60s,” said Wicks.

Charles City received a little snow Friday night and Saturday morning. Wicks, along with Parks and Rec Director Tyler Mitchell, cleared the ramps and pathways with shovels. Floyd County Search and Rescue removed snow around the circle trail by the Riverfront boat ramp.

Wicks said the search and rescue team uses the event as part of its cold water training. AMR ambulance was also on site just in case anyone had problems after exiting the ice-cold water.

“Safety is always No. 1. We like to have fun but safety is No. 1 no matter what,” said Justin Schuttler, director of Floyd County Search and Rescue.

Three members of the search and rescue team waded out in the water in full protective gear and formed a human barrier that once contestants neared they knew to head back up the ramp.

Allan Christley, who was a member of a seven-person Zoetis squad that dipped into the river, was up for the challenge. He said he was ready to brave the elements even farther out into the water if he could.

“I was kind of hoping it was going to be colder, honestly, and I could go across the river,” laughed Christley. “I wanted to see how far I could go. It wasn’t too bad, it really wasn’t.”

In a split decision vote, Zoetis bested Immaculate Conception School and Molstead Motors for winner of best team costume.

Christley, who moved to Charles City from North Carolina 13 years ago, said he had only experienced snow three times in his life before moving to the Midwest.

He gave his best advice to prepare for such a challenging test of mental and physical endurance as the one he just experienced.

“Live in Iowa. It’s cold enough year round,” said Christley.

2020 Cedar River Shiver Award Winners
• Best Individual Costume – Brad Gorman (Penguin)
• Best Team Costume – Zoetis
• Oldest Plunger – Val Biwer (65)
• Farthest Traveled Plunger – Lisa Adams, Clarksville
• True Blue Business Award (most participants) – I.C. Wildcats

From the Chicken Coop (paid participants who did not go in the water)
• Winner of free bucket of chicken from Hy-Vee – Peggy Feltus
• Winner of free bucket of chicken from Dairy Queen – Gus Streich