East Park (Mason City) to Wren Ave. (10 miles)

The put-in is in East Park in Mason City. There is plenty of parking available. A brief access paddle leads to a bend to the south where the water picks up speed. As the river turns back eastward, the first rapids appear. _Surf and Turf_ are the first two features. They provide clean surfing at lower levels with easy eddy service. At higher flows they form wave trains with big foam and deep troughs for a quick bouncy ride. A bit of flat water (passing the water treatment plant on the south side of the river) brings you to _Warm-up Wave_. There isn't much in the way of eddy service, so at higher flows you'll have a hard time staying here. Continue down around the corner though and you'll find a much better setup. _Split River_ has two very surfable waves at nearly all levels, though I am guessing that the small island goes underwater at about 1250 CFS which may kill the perfect eddy that is there at lesser flows. River left is a breaking wave with an easy slide in and out. River-right is usually a big glassy wave, friendly to short and long boats alike. The eddy is a bit harder to get to from the river right wave, but it can be done. Another small wave forms below this area. It is good for beginners to surf and is easy to slide in with a nice small wave train behind and an easy eddy along river left. A little more flat water leads round a bend to the _Averydale Access_. Two waves form here with some space in between, making for easy play in groups. A parking area right next to the river here allows park & play or use as a take out for a shorter run. If you continue from here, there is only one additional solid wave ahead called _Big Gully Rapid_, a bit of a misnomer since it is a single river wide wave. The float is worth doing, if you have never done it, as you pass some beautiful low bluffs with quick water. There is usually a small waterfall pouring in on river left at one point, and if you are paying attention, at flows about 1200 CFS you might be able to sneak through a breach in the cliff wall carved out by the river. After Big Gully Rapid, the river slows down and you have a pretty calm float to the Wren Avenue take-out. The scenery is still nice as you pass by Claybanks State Park on the south bank and there is plenty of wildlife to be seen.