Charles City Challenge Whitewater Festival

Join us for fun on the Cedar River at this year’s event in Charles City! The Charles City Challenge will include competitive kayak and SUP events for whitewater paddlers as well as fun for everyone else! Registration fee includes competition entry, event t-shirt, and a chance to win one of many prizes.

Charles City Challenge – Schedule of Events*

*schedule subject to change due to water, weather, or other circumstances. 

SUNDAY EVENTS

Sunday Funday! Course open to recreational paddling – all are welcome!

Description of Race Events

Boater X

Location: Entire course

Categories: K1 Playboat, K1 River Runner/Creeker, Open. If needed Canoe.

Mens and Womens divisions (if not enough women, will have the option to run with the men)

Scoring: 2 appointed judges for finish line placement. 1 appointed volunteer per gate/obstacle ensuring sufficient effort taken to navigate course correctly. No timing.

Start: Boaters will navigate the set course. Depending on numbers that sign up, categories will be a mass start. If needed, categories may be broken up into heats.

Finish: Racers will eddy out on the river left side below Exit Exam and physically touch the finish target marker with a hand.

Boater X – Youth

Location: Entire course

Categories: K1 kayak

Scoring: 2 appointed judges for finish line placement. No timing.

Start: Mass start, boaters will navigate the course.

Finish: Racers will eddy out on the river left side below Exit Exam and physically touch the finish target marker with a hand. 

SUP X

Location: Entire course

Scoring: 2 appointed judges for finish line placement. 1 appointed volunteer per gate/obstacle ensuring sufficient effort taken to navigate course correctly. No timing.

Start: Mass start, SUPers will navigate the set course.

Finish: Racers will eddy out on the river left side below Exit Exam and touch the finish target marker with the paddle. No timing.

Rodeo – Beginner | Vertical Monkeys

Location: Exit

Categories: Mens/Womens K1

Scoring: ICF/Hometown Throwdown combo. Scoring conducted by appointed judges. Competitor gets 2, 2-minute rides to score. Rides combined for the final score. Boaters will be divided into groups for their 2-minute ride. First ride groups released from river left staging area. Once first rides are completed, second rides are started in the same manner.

Rodeo – Intermediate/Advanced | Surf Machines

Location: Exit or Tew Shanez -both rides must be in the same feature.

Categories: Mens/Womens K1

Scoring: ICF/Hometown Throwdown combo. Scoring conducted by appointed judges. Competitor gets 2, 2-minute rides to score. Rides combined for the final score. Boaters will be divided into groups for their 2-minute ride. First ride groups released from river left staging area. Once first rides are completed, second rides are started in the same manner.

SUP Surf Comp

Location: Double D Wave

Categories: Mens SUP, Womens SUP, Youth SUP

Scoring: Appointed judges will score based on technical skill, carves/tricks, and style. Scoring 0-10 scale. 2 rides, each ride combined for the final score.

Competitors stage in eddy, each receives 2 rides, no time limit on ride length (keep it within reason). 

Balls to the Wall Race

Location: Entire course

Categories: K1 Whitewater Kayak and SUP (kayaks and sups will run together in one mass start) Teams of 3 people. 1 colored beach ball per team will be assigned to each team. (Charles City will provide beach balls)

Scoring: Self judged, fun race for bragging rights. No timing or scoring. (Extra creativity award for best dressed team)

Start: Mass Start. All team members will start in the staging eddy river left, above dam drop feature. (whitewater kayak or SUP).

Festival Date: June 23-25