{"id":21769,"date":"2017-04-06T07:00:29","date_gmt":"2017-04-06T13:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitidaho.org\/?post_type=trip_guide&p=21769"},"modified":"2022-04-11T07:31:39","modified_gmt":"2022-04-11T13:31:39","slug":"first-timers-guide-salmon-river-jet-boat-races","status":"publish","type":"travel_tip","link":"https:\/\/visitidaho.org\/travel-tips\/first-timers-guide-salmon-river-jet-boat-races\/","title":{"rendered":"A First Timer’s Guide to the Salmon River Jet Boat Races"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Riggins, Idaho is home to about 413 people on most days. But not during race weekend. During the Salmon River Jet Boat Races the population of Riggins increases five-fold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Salmon River Jet Boat Races, held the third weekend in April, are legendary in this quaint little canyon town that sits at the confluence of the Salmon River and the Little Salmon River.  Known as Idaho’s whitewater capital thanks to the Salmon, or “River of No Return”, the churning whitewater on this river has been giving jet boat racers a run for their money for more than three decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The jet boats that take on these waters are not your standard models. There are four boat classes that race and depending on the class, boats fly through the water traveling anywhere from 80 to 130 miles per hour. Yes, 130 miles an hour, powered by a jet engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This weekend of wild racing action kicks off on Friday night with a BBQ in the heart of town. The “Show and Shine” event is your chance to get an up close look at these amazing machines. The racers let you check out the view from the driver’s seat and you can play 20 questions about the sport and the boats. Looking at these awesome jet boats might just make you hungry, which means you’re in luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A tasty BBQ dinner is served up at the “Show and Shine” event for the Salmon River Jet Boat Races. Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For a $10 donation ($5 for kids), you can step on up to a delicious barbecue buffet. Pork, chicken, barbecued beans, coleslaw, and potato salad are piled high on a plate — and don’t forget your dessert! Live music sets the tone for a beautiful evening in beautiful country. Mountain air, music, the sound of the river, and a glorious sunset are sure to put a smile on your face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday is the official start of racing. Each leg of the race course is eight miles long with racers going up and back on the river.  Crews race the clock ten times over the course of the weekend running 80 miles total. To be clear, there are no bad seats to this show. While racing doesn’t actually start until 10 a.m., fans start showing up around 8:30 a.m. to pick their favorite viewing spots along the river bank. Time Zone rapid, located at the Time Zone bridge,where yes, you guessed it, the time zone changes from Mountain to Pacific, on the north end of Riggins is probably the most sought after spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A crowd gathers at Time Zone rapid to watch the racers. Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A racer navigates the waters of the Salmon River in Riggins during the Salmon River Jet Boat Races. Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You have a great vantage point from the bridge and if you’re curious enough to wander to the designated viewing area on the shoreline you won’t be disappointed. This year, 11 racers and their boats braved the higher than normal whitewater to test their skills and what a show they put on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separated by only a minute or two, these racers scream down the canyon, carefully picking their lines on the water. In each boat, a driver and a navigator work to read to the water and hopefully steer clear of any potential disasters. On the shore, spectators add to the excitement with cheers, whistles and camera clicks. You can’t help but get caught up in the fun of it all as the boats speed by, somehow managing to stay on the water despite the fact that at certain times only inches of the boat are actually touching the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n