Whitewater enthusiasts gearing up for Stonycreek Rendezvous

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – For whitewater enthusiasts, the Stonycreek Rendezvous is the place to be.

Sponsored by the Benscreek Canoe Club, the event will be held Friday through Sunday at Greenhouse Park, state Route 403, Tire Hill.

Now in its 36th year, the three-day event is designed to showcase the whitewater opportunities available in the area to seasoned boaters and newcomers to the sport.

“We have seen the event grow, and attendance is up,” said Mike Cook, president of the Benscreek Canoe Club.

“Depending on the year, but we get anywhere between 1,000 to 1,200 people coming in the gates. People look forward to it each year, and it’s like one big family reunion because some of these people you only see at the rendezvous.”

The Stonycreek Rendezvous attracts boaters and rafters to participate on one of the best whitewater rivers in the eastern United States, with rapids rated from Class I (beginner) to Class V (expert).

“We’re drawing important recognition to the resources we have in the area,” Cook said.

“Outdoor recreation in Johnstown is absolutely top-notch, and we get to showcase a little bit of what we have, not only the recreational aspects, but the conservational aspects as well.”

To ensure adequate water levels, the release valve at the Quemahoning Reservoir will be opened daily throughout the event.

Cook said the Stonycreek Rendezvous attracts people from Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

“They are coming from 16 different states and we have folks from Canada come in, so we’re drawing from pretty much the entire East Coast,” Cook said.

At 6 p.m. Friday, a Class II/III downriver sprint race will be held from Carpenter’s Park to Greenhouse Park. It consists of kayakers, open boaters and canoeists.

“The race is now part of the Headwaters Cup, which is a four-race series, with ours being the last event,” Cook said.

“We’ve noticed an uptick in the people competing in that event because they’re now a part of this race series. We’re excited that we get to be the crown jewel event for that whitewater cup series.”

The registration cost is $25.

The annual freestyle rodeo will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the park.

Judging will be based on trick difficulty, variety and style in classes for beginners, intermediates and advanced.

“Greenhouse Park was specifically designed for that kind of boating where you can do cartwheels and flips,” Cook said. “We have a beginner, intermediate and advanced classes, and the winner takes home one of the coveted Stonycreek Rendezvous river rock trophies.”

The rendezvous will wrap up Sunday, when boaters can take to the water for casual activities.

Throughout the weekend, there will be vendors offering boating gear.