THE NORTH FORK CHAMPIONSHIP

THE NFC ONCE AGAIN DREW SOME OF THE WORLD’S FINEST PADDLERS TO RACE AGAINST EACH OTHER AND THE CLOCK ON THE FORMIDABLE RAPIDS OF THE NORTH FORK PAYETTE IN IDAHO. PROGRESSING FROM AN EDGY EVENT THAT SEEMED ON THE FRINGE OF WHAT’S POSSIBLE, FOUR YEARS LATER THE NFC HAS NOW SOLIDIFIED ITS PLACE AT THE LEADING EDGE OF EXTREME RACING.

Words: Capo Rettig - Photos: Tait Trautman, Mike Leeds, John Webster

As I cross into Idaho from Oregon, the speed limit changes from 65 to 80 mph. “Shit,” I say out loud.“I can barely control the god damn vehicle at this speed.” Wind whipping across the Western Idaho desert threatens to push me off the road with each off-rhythm gust. I am constantly jerking the steering wheel back left. Correction strokes if you will. Looking down at my cell phone I see a text from Reagan Byrd, co-founder and event organizer for the North Fork Championship. The message informs me that my hotel will be in Crouch, Idaho, a short walk from the Dirty Shame Bar. I had heard that name before, but couldn’t remember where. This was my first time at the NFC and its reputation and my reality were on a…

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Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, KS#55 (fall 2015)

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