Johnstown, Pa — Whitewater rafting lovers, listen up!

This weekend marks the 33rd annual Stonycreek Rendezvous at Greenhouse Park in Johnstown.

“It’s a really great whitewater event,” said Michael Cook, the President of the Benscreek Canoe Club.

Cook is one of the organizers of the Stonycreek Rendezvous.

“We have live music, good food and gear vendors,” added Cook. “On average, with nice weather we see about a thousand people come into Johnstown for the event.”

Cook tell 6 News the whitewater release takes place out of the Quemahoning Dam.

“There’s a giant valve in the bottom of the dam that gives us up to 500 C.F.S. or cubic feet per second of water,” said Cook. “You would think it’s a huge wave of water, but it’s really not.”

However, Cook does say when the whitewater is released, it makes the rapids more exciting for those who will be enjoying the event out on the water.

“There are a couple of different options for boating during the rendezvous," said Cook. "One, is to run the Stonycreek Canyon which you would put in out in Faustwell and you would run the stretch of whitewater down through the Stonycreek Canyon and take out at Carpenters Park. There’s a slightly easier section from Carpenters Park to Greenhouse Park that people can paddle as well. Both of those runs require setting up some kind of shuttle so you can get back to your vehicle at the end or you can just park and play at Greenhouse Park. We have two standing waves there that come into play whenever the whitewater release comes through, so you can get in those waves on a boat or a stand up paddle board and surf and play around in those right in the park and you don’t have to drive anywhere.”

Cook says Greenhouse Park is also home to Pennsylvania's first man-made whitewater park and if you plan on going into the water he encourages you to wear a life vest.

“Always wear a life vest," said Cook. "I don’t care how good of a swimmer you think you are, when you’re recreating on water be sure you’re always wearing a life vest and never underestimate the power of water. If you’re going to get hurt or god forbid killed water is going to do it faster than pretty much anything else.”

For more information about the event and how to get tickets you can get tickets you can visit stonycreekrendezvous.com

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