14th Charles City Challenge Whitewater Weekend (06.12-06.14)

The Charles City Challenge Whitewater Weekend returns to the Cedar River starting Friday (06.12).

Future competitors can “get their feet” wet Friday (06.20) with free river surfing clinics with Bob Pittman of Charles City High School. 

There are surf clinics for both youth and adults Friday, with a surf and boogie board clinic on Saturday (06.13); a day that will also feature professional competitors from across Iowa and the Midwest =, battling for titles in kayak and sup divisions, surf/boogie board, and the kayak rodeo. Events include the “Balls to the Walls” team race and the “I Wanna Go Fast” winner-take-all race to the finish.

Organizer Ginger Williams says there’s also the friendly Hooligan race.

This year’s Challenge Weekend is being challenged by the constriction at City Hall, just to the north of the whitewater course, which has caused the closure the walking bridge over the Cedar River

Still, Whitewater’s Phoebe Pittman says the festivities will proceed as swimmingly as possible.

Activity wraps up Sunday (06.14) with the “Pure Competition” for nest trick or ride bragging rights, and a “Sunday Funday” of riverside relaxing and paddling with friends.

For event details and the latest updates, visit Charles City Whitewater on Facebook.