Boise Whitewater Park Update
The long-awaited Boise River whitewater park between Quinn’s Pond and Veterans Memorial Park is a construction site today, surrounded by chain-link barriers. A wintry chill kicks up off the water, and the river itself has been diverted through Quinn’s Pond while crews rebuild a century-old diversion dam.
If everything goes as planned, kayakers will be navigating dramatic man-made waves this spring.
Read more HERE.
Boise Whitewater Park Update
The long-awaited Boise River whitewater park between Quinn’s Pond and Veterans Memorial Park is a construction site today, surrounded by chain-link barriers. A wintry chill kicks up off the water, and the river itself has been diverted through Quinn’s Pond while crews rebuild a century-old diversion dam.
If everything goes as planned, kayakers will be navigating dramatic man-made waves this spring.
Read more HERE.
Idaho Throwdown #5
Yet another awesome Throwdown for Idaho, but sadly, its the last one of the year. We had around hundred spectators for this event. The KWP wave was primo for smaller boats. It was shallower than the last few times, but it made up for it by being stickier. Our group consisted of more people from out of town than locals. Out of the nine of us, five were from Bend, Oregon. It was awesome having that group paddling with us. They did an excellent job, especially for having so few play waves over there. Also, my sister Paige surfed for the first time and got her first combat roll – she even rolled in the hole 
The water is still super warm- which makes it that much more fun to hang out in the water.
We had two ten-year-olds in the group. Blaine and my sister Paige. KWP is such a great place for beginner surfers.
We then had two boatercross heats. Boatercross is so much fun and you can never tell who is in the lead until the last ten yards.
After all that we gathered around to get our places, scores, and prizes. Big props to our event sponsors and to our local sponsors – H2OVelocity and River Gear and Grind.
Thanks to everyone for a good time, and we’ll see you next year!
Results:
Mens:
1- Daniel Dixon
2- Devin Hawkins
3- Mark Davis
4- Philip Robert
Womens:
1- Joan Davis
Juniors:
1- Troy Wilson
2- Walker Davis
3- Blaine Davis
4- Paige Wilson
A family friendly river run
The Payette River Flatwater Trail is an easy river float through the lower end of Long Valley, combined with a mountain bike ride on a gravel road as a shuttle.
It offers a gentle (no rapids) 12-mile float that takes three to six hours to paddle from the Idaho 55 bridge on the southside of Cascade to the Cabarton boat ramp off Cabarton Road.
This section is ideal for families in kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle boards.
Sometimes the wind blows upstream, so adjust your time schedule to allow for a slower trip.
Expect to see lots of birds, including a great blue heron rookery, ducks, eagles, ospreys and other birds. There is also an elk-viewing area on the river.
Read more HERE.
Kayaker dies on North Fork of the Payette
The 55-year-old New Hampshire man who died while paddling the North Fork of the Payette River Sunday afternoon was a senior executive at one of the nation’s largest mutual fund companies.
Boyce Greer was head of Fidelity Investments’ institutional-investments unit and an investor and major investor in Legacy Paddlesports, according to published reports.
Read more HERE.
Idaho Throwdown #4
ThrowDown number four is over for Boise. Yesterday I was up at Kelly’s Whitewater Park along with nine other competitors- two of which were from Utah. I think this was our first TD with only one junior, which was me. So I was thrown in with the mens category. Like before, we were on the second feature and it was perfect for our group. There were a few more kayakers new to surfing that were game to get in there. All of them did excellent and ended with huge smiles on their faces. We altered our boater cross course a little because Big Nasty (feature one) was so sticky the carnage would’ve been too much to handle. As usual, this seemed to be a hit with everyone. Afterwards we got together for scores and prizes. In my opinion that was one of the best ThrowDowns we’ve had and I’m looking forward to the next one on September 3rd. Make sure to show up for the last of the great flows and warm water.
Placements:
Mens K1 A:
1- Daniel Dixon
2- Troy Wilson
3- Brant Hoover
4- Devin Hawkins
5- Tyler Wilson
Mens K1 B:
1- Joe Petrilli
2- Chad
3- Josh Rodriguez
4- Matt Evans
Women’s:
1- Meredith Ruland
Boater Cross results:
Heat 1:
1- Troy Wilson
2- Joe Perilli
3- Josh Rodriguez
4- Meredith Ruland
Heat 2:
1- Tyler Wilson
2- Daniel Dixon
3- Devin Hawkins
4- Brant Hoover
Hey look, this time we got pictures! 
Idaho Throwdown #2
Yesterday was this seasons opening day for Kelly's Whitewater park and the second Throwdown for Idaho. The weather forecast was bleak with snow expected for the day, however we arrived in cascade with sunny skies and a temp of 36 degrees.
We began the day at 8:30 with a fantastic KWP opening-day breakfast of pancakes with awesome berries and sausage - what a way to start the day! Next we had a dedication of the bridge to rock island. It's pretty incredible to watch an entire community back a whitewater park - you gotta love Valley County Idaho!
The waves were all at a great stage. A bit of tweaking of the top wave has actually directed more water to feature 2 on the far side of the island which will make it even better than last year. We didn't know how many competitors would show up given the forecast and the recent snow, but there ended up being ten of us in all, which included four or five people new to the Throwdowns. Turned out to be a great group of really nice paddlers of all skill levels. A few spectators showed up and watched us playing around in the cold water.
We ran two hole rides and then held a boater cross that seemed to be a big hit. Natural features at the park made for a great course. Surprisingly we had close finishes and everyone had a blast.
We all went up to the grassy hill afterwards to divvy up the prizes and chat about upcoming events. About ten minutes after we left the snow showed up, but it didn't matter then. turned out to be a great day and we were happy with the weather and waves!
We were also treated to a little Red-Bull Booty display as Tanner and Brian had a little bet going as to who would have the best score in the Throwdown. Since Brian had the higher score in the Freestyle and Tanner placed higher in the Boater-X we got a double disgusting show :-P
Looking forward to our June Throwdown and WARMER weather!
Scores:
Youth Name Tanner Griffith 1 Troy Wilson 2 Connor Jackson 3 Mens K1A Mark Cecchini 1 Brian Ward 2 Tristin McClaran 3 Daniel Dixon 4 Mens K1B Tyler Wilson 1 Andrew chamberlain 2 Womens Kate Beaver 1
[gallery link="file" columns="4" orderby="title"] Idaho Throwdown #1 2011
Last Friday we had our first Idaho Hometown Throwdown of the year at the gutter. We had a good turn out for a chilly April evening, 10 competitors and a bunch of spectators Alpenglow was nice enough to bring a gaggle of demo boats for whoever wanted to try them, including the new Rock Stars from Jackson kayak which drew lots of “Oooo’s and Ahhhh’s” from those that tried them out.
The wave wasn’t the best for aerial tricks, but a great front surf and spin wave. Mychal Hayes was the only one to throw a big move, a sweet aerial loop – but we saw some cartwheels other advanced moves from Jackson paddler Devon Barker and regional paddlers Micah Kneidl and Alec Voorhees. It was good to see a couple of kayakers new to surfing out there, one of them threw the biggest window shade I’ve ever seen – getting blasted under the wave and shooting vertically out. Big cheers and worth some ‘That-was-Awesome’ points from the style judge Where else can newbie surfers rub elbows and compete with veteran world class paddlers like Devon Barker and Jim Grossman? After two hole rides we held a boatercross. Then wrapped it up because it was getting chilly. Overall it went well and it was a great time. I hope we’ll see you at the May Throwdown at Kellys Whitewater Park in Cascade!
On Saturday we had a booth at the Whitewater Expo / boatswap at Alpenglow. This was a first of what I hope to be many Put on by Chuck and Anne Cremer. Quite a few vendors were there and educational seminars were held. They even had a drawing for a Jackson Star as well as a bunch of other WW gear. If you missed it this year make sure and check it in 2012!
Here are the scores:
Adults:
K1 A:
1: Mychal Hayes
2. Devon Barker
3. Micah Kneidl
4. Jim Grossman – Boatercross only
K1 B:
1. Gary Mattos
2. Will Howerton
Juniors K1:
1. Alec Voorhees
2. Hayden Voorhees – Troy Wilson
Cadet:
1.Buey Grossman
2. Connor Voorhees
