Early spring surf of DD Wave

The Cedar River in Charles City, Iowa has been good to us this season. Spring melt and well-timed rain brought numerous river surfing opportunities at a wide range of flows from March through November. We are even getting great water into December right now.

Charles City, Iowa photo credit: Marty Colbert

Double D and TewShanez waves always have something to offer at each flow. Double D is green glass or fluffy foam depending on how the wave is acting. It’s fun to jump into the whirlpool at low-medium water and the wave has enough speed to pump and carve at higher water. Double D is a 30ft wide wave with eddy access from surfers left and a tight fun pocket wave from surfers right. The pocket wave is perfect for beginning surfers. Single, double and triple surf with your buddies. Surf to your hearts desire!

Katie and Hannah Ray J shredding at Charles City Iowa photo credit: Marty Colbert

TewShanez wave is a foamy 20 ft wide feature with a green tongue running through a third of it most of the time. Surfers left access, ride the foam, the green and the foam again. Cut and carve wherever you desire. The Badfish River Surfer and IRS fit perfectly into both waves.

Hannah Ray J on her Badfish River Surfer photo credit: Marty Colbert

Many river peeps loved trying the Badfish IRS on the waves. Super easy for beginning river surfers, stable and durable. It’s fun to run the whitewater park on the IRS with eddy turns and rock splats sprinkled in too!

Carl Neubauer on the Badfish IRS

Also this year, I tried an ocean surfboard on the waves. It took some trial and error figuring out which flows worked best. Both waves were fun on the Boardworks Nurf board!

DD Wave Charles City, IA photo credit: Marty Colbert

Charles City has got the goods when it comes to river surfing in Iowa. With a quiver of boards surfing Double D and Two Shanez waves is possible at a wide range of flows, from 700cfs to 8500cfs+ with 1500-3000cfs being ideal and 700-1000 still being fun for frequent visits. Beginner to advanced river surfers can find something fun to surf at Charles City. The Whitewater Park is located in the heart of downtown Charles City. The community of approximately 7500 lies nestled among cornfields, hills, and hidden gems in NE Iowa. There’s camping just downstream at R Campground right along the river. Excellent restaurants within walking distance, Pub on the Cedar and Aromas Coffee are my favorites!

Pub on the Cedar, Charles City, IA

Aromas Charles City, Iowa

Charles City feels like a second home with friendly people and quality whitewater. If you find yourself in Iowa…lets go river surfing!!!

By: Hannah Ray J