The trend of using Lake LaVerne as a recreation site is an ongoing tradition at Iowa State, and this year is no exception.

Following the success of the Polar Bear Plunge during Greek Week, the annual Veishea Canoe Joust will be held Saturday after the completion of the parade.

“We have been doing the [Canoe Joust] for several years,” said Laura Johnson, co-chairwoman of special events. “We used to have a canoe race, but no one registered for it last year, so we took it out.”

Nathan Hein, co-chairman of special events, said the Canoe Joust is a “fun, family-oriented” event that builds on the Cyclone Family motto.

The Canoe Joust is similar to the television show “American Gladiators” in that participants joust at each other while in a canoe on Lake LaVerne, said Johnson, junior in microbiology.

“There are a couple of strategies you can do,” she said. “You can run away and make the canoe [follow] you, or you can be direct and have them hit you.”

The object of the joust is to not be thrown into the water.

Co-rec teams of two or three people will be placed in each canoe. One person stands while the other team members paddle.

Johnson said it is better for the teams to be formed before the event, but individuals can look for a team when they arrive.

The entry fee for the joust will be $10 per team. Registration can be obtained prior to the event at the Memorial Union or at Lake LaVerne the day of the event.

Canoes, paddles, jousting sticks and lifejackets will be provided, and all participants are required to wear a lifejacket while on the lake.

Both Hein, junior in animal science, and Johnson said the event is open to all ages and anyone in the university.

“Our main goal is to get more participation,” Hein said. “Last year, there weren’t as many contestants as we had hoped, but the crowd was tremendous. Everyone wanted to look at it.”

In an attempt to attract more participants, the Veishea committee has sent out table tents, ads and flyers.

Johnson said the time and location of the Canoe Joust is ideal since people stop and watch as they walk by.

“We really like the crowd coming back from the parade site,” Johnson said. “We don’t like to have tournaments going on during the parade because it is a conflict.”

To help make the event a success, Johnson said she is hoping for sunny skies and warm temps.

“No one wants to fall in Lake LaVerne if it is 50 degrees outside,” she said.