Preparing for the Cedar River Shiver

By Thomas Nelson, tnelson@charlescitypress.com

One week after Charles City received almost eight inches of snow Floyd County Search and Rescue is going into the Cedar River.

The last Cedar River Shiver was in 2014.

“The last couple of years we did not do it, but prior to that we did it three years in a row,” Allen Murray of Floyd County Search and Rescue said. “This is our first year back.”

Floyd County Search and Rescue went to practice and clear up the dunk site for next week’s Cedar River Shiver at 2 p.m.

The rescuers trained with survival suits used to go into water and keep them warm when its cold.

Saturday was the first time some of Floyd County Search and Rescue had worn the survival suits.

During the Cedar River Shiver Floyd County Search and Rescue will be standing by to help out the participants if anything goes wrong. During the event eight to ten search rescue personal should be on the scene, Murray said.

The suits, worn during cold water and ice rescues, cost upwards of $1,000 each, Murray said.

“It would be fantastic if we were able to raise enough funds to purchase a new suit,” Murray said in an email to the Press.

The event used to be annual, but was missed for two years in a row, this is first time its been held since then.

“I’m hoping a lot of people show up,” Murray said.

In the past 25 to 50 people have shown up to participate in the Cedar River Shiver.

The water Saturday was 34 degrees and is expected to stay at that temperature during the event on March 25.

“We’ve got a lot of snow run off,” Murray said. “I can’t imagine it being more than 35 degrees.”

Search and rescue divers use this event as way to train for both cold water training and fundraiser.

It cost $35 to sign-up at the Community Development office.

The money raised goes to Floyd County Search and Rescue and Charles City Revitalization.

Participants can register the day of the event.