Summer Recap Pt. 1: Charles City Challenge

The Charles City Challenge event celebrated it’s 10th Anniversary this year. Charles City, Iowa hosted over 60 paddlers and surfers for this three-day event. The weather turned out gorgeous for the festivities. The Cedar River was running at a low-medium flow, but was still fun for the in-river events.

River clean up crew collecting some trophy trash treasures.

The festivities kicked off friday afternoon with a river clean up at Riverfront Park. Clean up volunteers traversed the river banks getting the park spick-and-span for the weekend events. Friday evening 14+ aspiring surfers gathered to try their hand at riversurfing DD Wave. A wide range of skills and ages spent 3 hours swimming, laughing, surfing and smiling in the Cedar River. Post surf-sesh, the crew headed over to Tellurian Brewing for refueling. Party in the Park rounded out the evening with live music.

Smiles for miles at the riversurfing clinic friday night.

Heavy rain arrived late friday night, but skies cleared by saturday morning just in time for the main events. Saturday was chocked full of river fun. Vendors displayed their gear, offered sweet treats and the live DJ kept things jamming throughout the day. Saturday in-river events included: Boater X, SUP X, Kayak Rodeo, Cardboard Boat and Hooligan Race, Surf Comp and the Balls to the Wall Race. Concluding the events were the award ceremony and coveted prize giveaway!

Paddler meeting and gearing up for the main events on Saturday.

Check out the event results below:
BOATER X – SHORT BOAT
Male
1 David Gustafson
2 James Weeks
3 Ryan Dusil

Female
1 Kayla Sturgeon
2 Molly Berkholtz
3 Tara Thorenson

Youth
1 Klayten Perreault

BOATER X – LONG BOAT
Male
1 Ted Colwell
2 Tyler Lachowicz
3 Jerome Adams

Female
1 Piper Wall
2 Molly Berkholtz
3 Becky Fenelon

Youth
1 Liam Caya
2 Klayten Perreault

Boaters battle for position in the Boater X event.

RAFT SHREDDER
1 Paul Monnier & Alisha Culbertson

SUP X
Male
1 Martin Sackett
2 Colton Patten
3 Klayten Perreault

Female
1 Hannah Childs
2 Emily Perreault
3 Piper Wall

Youth
1 Evelia Perreault
2 Gemma Oberding
3 Kinsley Oberding

SURF COMP – PRONE
Male
1 Kris Perreault
2 Marty Colbert
3 (tie) Jeff Simmons/David Gustafson

Female
1 Hannah Ray J

Youth – Male
1 Klayten Perreault

Youth – Female
1 Evelia Perreault

SURF COMP – SUP
Male
1 Kris Perreault
2 Colton Patten
3 David Gustafson

Female
1 Hannah Ray J
2 Emily Perreault

Youth
1 Klayten Perreault
2 Liam Caya

KAYAK RODEO – VERTICAL MONKEYS
Male
1 James Weeks
2 Glen Harman
3 Matt Sturgeon

Female
1 Hannah Ray J
2 Kayla Sturgeon

Youth
1 Klayten Perreault

KAYAK RODEO – SURF MACHINES
Male
1 Aaron Pravechek
2 Tyler Lachowicz
3 Mike Leininger

Female
1 Molly Berkholtz

BALLS TO THE WALL
Winning Team – Killer Yogurts: Kris Perreault, Emily Perreault, Klayten Perreault, Ginger Williams

Team Killer Yogurts.

CARDBOARD BOAT & HOOLIGAN RACE
1 Gustafson Gators
2 Hot Mess Express
Paddlers’ Pick – Intimidators

Sunday Funday concluded the fun filled weekend. The river rose to medium flows from friday nights rain and paddlers/surfers who had a bit of left over energy took to the river for one more day of surfing and playboating.

The 10th Anniversary of the Charles City Challenge was a great celebration! A huge thank you to our event sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and everyone who makes the Charles City Challenge a success! Another mega thanks to the all the paddlers, surfers and spectators who come enjoy the river with us!

THANK YOU! See everyone next year!

-Hannah Ray J

Check out the Charles City Whitewater facebook page for more photos and watch for updates for the Charles City Challenge 2023!
https://www.facebook.com/ccwhitewater