The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
“The North Fork Championship is the most challenging whitewater race in the world, attracting the best paddlers,” said North Fork Championship Executive Director Carli Beisel. “If you win this race, you are the world champion.”
The North Fork Championship XI (NFC) returns to Idaho’s storied Payette River after a three-year hiatus. In its new era, the organization is now a nonprofit focusing on the “competition, education and stewardship on the Payette Rivers.”
For the racers looking to conquer Jacob’s Ladder, the path to get there will look a little different this year as well. NFC changed the challenge from two races to three (Qualifiers, Semifinals and the Main Event), with each race progressively becoming more difficult.
Athletes race a giant slalom course through Class V rapids, navigating eight gates strung across the river while battling the river’s power. The field narrows each round until the top paddlers face off on the formidable and unforgiving Jacob’s Ladder for the championship.
We sat down with Beisel to talk about what’s new and what spectators should know for three days of racing June 9-11, 2026.
Q: What is the North Fork Championship?
A: The North Fork Championship is the crown jewel of whitewater races. Whitewater kayaking athletes prepare their entire careers for this race to be good enough to earn a spot in the Main Event … Within the sport of extreme whitewater kayaking, this is our version of the Olympics or X Games and decides who the best paddlers in the world are.
Q: Why is the North Fork Championship in Idaho?
A: The North Fork of the Payette River is one of the hardest navigable stretches of whitewater in North America, and it is uniquely roadside allowing for both safety operations and spectator access. The rapids on this river were actually enhanced when the highway was constructed more than 100 years ago. The construction pushed more rocks into the river, magnifying the intensity of the rapids. Since the first modern descent in 1977, its powerful rapids have shaped world-class athletes, demanding precision, courage, and endurance.
Q: How do I watch the North Fork Championship?
A: The best way to experience NFC is in person. The Main Event takes place on the rapid called Jacob’s Ladder, located at Milepost 87 on Highway 55. The North Fork of the Payette is 15 miles of continuous Class V whitewater, and Jacob’s Ladder is the hardest rapid on this river.
Q: What is on the don’t-miss list for this year?
A: If you only see one thing, come to the Giant Slalom Finals at Jacob’s Ladder. This is the pinnacle of whitewater racing with high-energy crowds — and the event that has made NFC world-famous. If you can catch a second moment, spend time at the campground at Wellington Snow Park. That’s where you’ll experience the heart of NFC, meet athletes, and experience the paddling community that makes this event so unique beyond the race itself.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
This is a real riverside adventure.
For the best viewing experience, plan to stand or bring a chair and sit along the road near the riverbank to watch the racers. Please note that the riverbank rocks around Jacob’s Ladder are extremely unstable and slippery, and a fall into this Class V section is possible. Children should not climb or play on the rocks.
Safety is the highest priority.
Please be mindful of traffic on Highway 55 that runs along the race area. Pedestrians are NOT allowed to cross the highway on foot under any circumstances. This is a strict safety requirement and an essential part of keeping the event operational.
Shade can be hard to find at the Main Event race area along Jacob’s Ladder. Come prepared with sunscreen, water and bug spray for the day.
Keep an eye out for poison ivy near the riverbank. Make sure you know what it looks like and stick to the adage, “Leaves of three, let them be.”
Q: Because this event runs along Highway 55, are there shuttles and additional parking areas available?
A: Yes, there will be limited parking at each event site. We recommend you drive to Milepost 97 and follow the signs to the free shuttle, and we will bring you to and from the event!
Q: In previous years, the NFC festival grounds were in Crouch. This year, the festival grounds are at Wellington Snow Park near Smiths Ferry. Why the change?
A: The North Fork Championship has relocated the festival from Crouch to Smiths Ferry to improve logistics and overall accessibility. The new venue also features a campground directly across from the river… Being based closer to the race rapids allows for more efficient course setup and smoother transportation for athletes.
Q: If I’m not a whitewater enthusiast, can I still enjoy the race action?
A: Yes. The North Fork Championship is widely considered the hardest whitewater race in the world, but it’s just as much about the community as the competition. NFC brings together the best paddlers on the planet to push themselves on an unforgiving stretch of river. The camaraderie among competitors really sets this event apart from other races. Each competitor is trying to win, but also cheering on their competition and giving advice.
Q: What do you hope the legacy of the North Fork Championship is?
A: We hope NFC continues to represent the soul of whitewater kayaking where community matters more than commercialization, and respect is earned on the water. Beyond the sport, we want it to stand as an example of how events can responsibly engage with wild places and rural communities while inspiring people to connect with rivers in a meaningful way.
In addition to the race action, make sure to check out festival grounds each night from 5-10 p.m. and don’t miss Wild Rivers Night on June 10, 2026. Find a full schedule of events here.
Can’t make it? Follow along on Instagram (@northforkchampionship) for all the pre-race fun, athlete highlights, and all the best action from the rowdiest whitewater week on earth.
Want to check out the river before the race? Watch the Payette River episode of The 3100 whitewater series on YouTube.
Published on May 19, 2026