Payette River Games

SI Staff | Jun 25, 2014

Payette River Games /

Payette River Games

The 2014 Payette River Games has a world record $115,000 purse this year, attracting over 500 competitors representing 18 countries and 30 states.

Maui's Kody Kerbox leading one of the mens downriver SUP sprint heats.

Blind surfer Derek Rabelo is guided to the wave by his father and coach, Ernesto Rabelo.

Inspiring the crowds, blind surfer Derek Rabelo from Brazil feeling his way through the wave. Derek has also surfed "pipeline" in Hawaii and is known worldwide.

Jason Craig, one of the over 500 athletes competing at this year's Payette River Games

Jason Craig, shown here leaving the water perfectly vertical, is known for his radical airborne maneuvers.

Kai Lenny from Hawaii is seen here river surfing for the first time -- during the "Ocean vs River Surfer" competition.

SUPsquatch, the largest standup paddle board in the world, makes it's appearance.

The 2014 Payette River Games women's freestyle champion Emily Jackson kicking up a huge spray.

Maui's Kody Kerbox leading one of the men's SUP (stand up paddle) downriver sprint heats.

Current world champion Dane Jackson excites the crowd with one his huge aerial loops.

Dane Jackson celebrating after his ride in the freestyle finals.

The clash of the surf cultures at the 2014 Payette River Games.

Kayakers slide off a ramp for an exciting start the boater-cross races.

Chris Parker punching through the main feature of Kelly's Water Park in Cascade Idaho.

Canadian Nick Troutman carves his way through the water.

Men's overall SUP champion Fernando Stalla from Mexico about to win the SUP cross finals, and part of the record $50,000 SUP purse.

Adriene Levknecht performing an "airscrew" maneuver.

Raft-cross, one of the four types of events at the Payette River Games.

Current women's world champion Claire O'Hara finishing off a trick called the "phonix monkey." Claire also is an instructor for a youth clinic held for three weeks after the games.

Nick Troutman (left) and Jason Craig congratulate each other after their runs.

Pileup led by Michael Tavares at buoy two during the men's sup cross final.

Current world champion Claire O'Hara, from England looking down the wave. Eighteen countries and 30 states were represented in this year's games.

World Champion Dane Jackson launching himself into a a front loop.

Jacob Walker making the turn around buoy 1 in the boater-cross event.

Local favorite Alec Voorhees, 17, of Meridian, Idaho, took fifth overall in men's freestyle.

Four-time world champion Eric Jackson finishing off a front loop. Eric also designs and builds most of the boats in the competition.

Boaters stack up in the feature during a boater-cross heat, providing excitement for the over 35,000 spectators attending the event.

Payette River Games 2014 women's champion Emily Jackson cools off before taking her winning ride.

A three-boat pileup in the top feature during the carnage of the 8-ball event …. something like "demolition derby for kayaks."

Gerd Serrasolses from Spain positioning for his next move.

Two-time European champion Mathieu Dumoulin from France throwing a trick known as the "blunt" and winning the men's PRG freestyle championship.

Published Jun 25, 2014

SI STAFF