Payette River Games Adds Surfing to Event Lineup

The Payette River Games (PRG) is excited to announce the inclusion of RIVER SURFING to its many whitewater events.  The games will take place at Kelly's Whitewater Park in Cascade, Idaho, June 20-22, 2014. There will be Elite and Open surfing competitions at Kelly's legendary wave.

Spectators can watch the surf action at Kelly's for free. Elite athletes will also compete in Kayak and Stand Up Paddle all weekend. Bring the family for a fun weekend at the Payette River Games.  Learn more about the events and activities at www.payetterivergames.com.

Additional highlights:

Derek Rabelo, who was born blind but still pursued his dream of surfing, will participate at the games. He has surfed around the world, most notably at The Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore. A film about Derek's life, “Beyond Sight,” will have an exclusive screening during the weekend. The static waves at Kelly's will hopefully allow Derek to surf without any assistance. Building more river waves like Kelly's around the world will open the door for individuals with special needs to surf.

Munich, Germany gave birth to river surfing over 35 years ago and has remained the epicenter of the sport.  The Payette River Games will pay homage to the sport's founders and leaders by bringing a select group of the most influential river surfers from Munich to the PRG to compete in the Elite Surfing competition.

World renowned film maker and long time Munich river surfer Bjoern Richie Lob will be at the games. Bjoern's critically acclaimed documentary film "Keep Surfing" will have a one-time exclusive showing at the Roxy Theater in Cascade. Bjoern will also be filming content for the sequel to "Keep Surfing" over the weekend.  "Keep Surfing II" will focus on emerging river surfing communities in the USA, the Payette River Games and the legendary river surfing pioneer, Elijah Mack.

Because building waves like those at Kelly's Whitewater Park is key for river surfing to spread around the world, the PRG will welcome The Surf Anywhere Project. The Surf Anywhere Project's mission is to help communities around the world to build river waves.

Jacob Kelly, a co-founder of The Surf Anywhere Project said recently, "The Payette River Games in Cascade, Idaho this June will be a monumental event for river surfers around the world. It will be a meeting of the minds, an explosion of river surfing culture, and just a cool happy place to hang out all weekend long. It's not often someone gets to experience something like this in their lives.  To be a part of something that will change the world forever, to meet the Michael Jordans of a sport before the NBA is even created, to build something like the Zepher crew in Dogtown. I am so blessed to have passion and purpose in my life greater than myself."

Visit www.payetterivergames.com for events and registration information or follow the PRG on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PayetteRiverGames.

Contact:  Mark Pickard, directors@kwpid.com