For the week of July 10 - 16, 2002

Kayakers look forward to Payette Roundup

July 13-14 near Banks

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It’s nearly time for the 22nd annual Payette Whitewater Roundup.

Idaho Rivers United will present the Payette Whitewater Roundup for beginner and expert boaters Saturday and Sunday, July 13-14 on the Payette River 30 miles north of Boise.

Events are open to beginner to experts in a wide variety of boating and river activities. All proceeds will benefit Idaho Rivers United, and the events are free for spectators.

Saturday is the flagship of the event with much to do for everyone.

For whitewater boaters, there will be down river races for all abilities in a variety of boats and a "poker run" for rafts and cats. For the curious, there will be a river festival all day at the Main Payette put-in at Banks.

The day begins with down river kayak races on the Class V, experts-only North Fork of the Payette.

Organizers will have intermediate and expert Class IV races on the South Fork for rafts, cats and kayaks and beginner/intermediate races on the Class III Main Payette for everyone. There will be long and short boat divisions for the experts.

Also Saturday are low priced "first time" whitewater trips for the general community. Professional river outfitters will offer hour-long rides in rafts on the Main Payette as a way of introducing folks to whitewater for $10.

New this year is a "poker run" on the South Fork of the Payette for rafts and catarafts. Folks pick up cards along the route at their own pace and play their hand at the end of the run for great prizes.

Saturday night offers a hoedown party with live music from Farmdog and Outtaplace, a full barbecue with beer, wine and tons of great fun on the Payette River at Banks. Everyone is welcome.

Sunday is play day.

A freestyle kayak rodeo will be held with practice beginning at 10 a.m. and the competition at 12 noon. The location will depend on river flows, but will be on the South Fork or the Main Payette and will offer great entertainment for onlookers.

For more information call Dan at 1-800-574-7481.

Idaho’s only statewide river conservation organization, Idaho Rivers United defends free-flowing rivers, fisheries, clean water and the communities that depend on them.
Here is a schedule:

·  Saturday, July 13: Home base all day. Main Payette put-in, Banks downriver race, North Fork Payette, lower five, 10-11 a.m.

Down river race, South Fork Payette, Deer Creek to Banks, noon to 1:30 p.m.; down river race, Main Payette, Banks to Chief Parish, 2-5 p.m.; raft trips, $10 on the Main Payette, noon to 5 p.m.; raft and cataraft "poker run," South Fork Payette, 2-5 p.m.; barbecue dinner and dance, Farmdog (Dead, Dylan, reggae, roots rock) and Outtaplace, Banks, 6 p.m. to midnight.

·  Sunday, July 14:
Open freestyle competition, Main Payette, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the competition beginning at noon. Check at the Banks put-in for location.

 

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