Posted on

Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend

Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Twenty-eight challengers took on the Cedar River for a weekend of whitewater events during the Charles City Challenge. Press photos by Travis Fischer
By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

It was a wet and wild weekend on the Cedar River as the Charles City Challenge brought out whitewater enthusiasts for fun and games at the city’s whitewater park.

Sneaking in between unpredictable rains and an extreme heat advisory, Saturday’s weather was pleasantly warm and sunny for a day on the river as surfers and spectators alike enjoyed the afternoon of whitewater challenges.

“We’re having a great day,” said Tourism Director Ginger Williams. “The breeze is keeping the heat away.”

Twenty-eight whitewater enthusiasts checked in on Saturday to participate in a series of fun contests on the river, taking on the challenge of the high water levels and strong currents for bragging rights and a variety of sponsored prizes.

“We had a great turnout,” said Williams. “A nice combination of surfers and paddlers.”

Putting the “challenge” into the Charles City Challenge, the wild waves made for a difficult surfing contest, with only a few of the entrants managing to get on their feet. First place in the contest easily went to Kris Perreault, who not only got up but managed to stay on balance long enough to salute the spectators. Following in second place was Carter Stritch with Leo Wandler and Sam Podzimek tying for third.

For the Kayak Rodeo Surf Machine contest, Tim Westland took first place, followed by Rod Ozmun and Fred Miller in second and third. In the Kayak Rodeo Vertical Monkeys challenge, first place was a tie between Wily Heindel and James Weeks, followed Glenn Harman.

Harman was also the winner of the “Up the Cedar River with a Paddle” race, with Andrew Kovacs and Kris Perreault following in second and third.

Finally, in the frantic race downstream for the “I Wanna Go Fast,” Andrew Kovacs came in first followed by Glenn Harman and Rod Ozmun.

Along with the contested events, the weekend featured free surf clinics for potential new whitewater enthusiasts to get their feet wet.

Organized by Robert Pittman, several new faces were taught the basics of river surfing and, new to this year, boogie boarding.

Though the clinics were shuffled around the schedule due to high water levels, Pittman said he was thankful for the turnout of both students and volunteer instructors, who made sure that as many people as possible got a chance to learn how to ride the waves.

“Everybody had tons of instruction,” said Pittman.

Pittman also noted that both the Charles City Public Library and he personally has gear available to borrow for new surfers looking to enter the hobby. This includes, thanks to a recent donation by Zoetis, several new surf boards available for community use.

Though the Charles City Challenge has come and gone for this year, Pittman is happy to make arrangements with interested novices to go out on the river and learn how to surf.

“If anybody wants to do stuff in town, we can open up the thing we store our gear in,” said Pittman. “River kayaking is super cool to watch, but it takes hours to learn. But with river surfing it’s an hour of doing it and you can get on a wave.”

While the contests drew in whitewater enthusiasts from across four states, this year’s Charles City Challenge also featured extra incentives for local participants and spectators.

Local businesses and organizations donated a selection of door prizes for Charles City residents, including free pizza from Cedar River Pizza, a membership to the Floyd County Museum, and coolers of swag and coupons from Konen Construction.

The big winner of the local drawing was Julie Taylor, who left the whitewater park with a brand new kayak donated by Theisen’s.

“I’ve always wanted a kayak I could fit in my car,” said Taylor. “I’m excited to get it in the river.”

Also outside of the river, First Security Bank sponsored on-shore kids activities and gave out prizes throughout the day.

After the challenges on Saturday, a few participants stuck around for Sunday’s fun day, enjoying a relaxing afternoon on the river.

“Overall we were pleased with the way everything turned out,” said Williams. “We’re already talking about ideas for next year and I’m thankful for everyone who showed up and supported it. It was a great day.”

Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Kris Perreault salutes his way to first place in the Charles City Challenge’s surf contest.
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Julie Taylor won a new kayak from the Charles City Challenge’s local prize drawing on Saturday.
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Rob Pittman emerges from the Cedar River, ready to teach new surfers and boogie boarders how to ride the waves.
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025

Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend

Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025
Charles City Challenge surfs through the weekend
Charles City Challenge 2025

Social Share

LATEST NEWS
Thanks for reading!
Please login ...
Please login,
 
Enter E-mail
Enter Password