Idaho’s rivers are about to become the ultimate racetrack.

In May, the state will host the 2026 World Championship Jet Boat River Race, a high-speed, international competition that will run across some of Idaho’s most iconic waterways — the Payette, Salmon, Snake and St. Joe rivers.

Local jet boat racer Doug Stowers, President of the USA Jet River Racing Association, said the sport has a way of pulling people in fast. “It’s really cool to watch, it’s very addicting, I have yet to find anybody that hasn’t watched it and instantly become addicted to the sport,” Stowers said.

Stowers and his wife, Jenny Grandjean, plan to compete — and they said their own path into racing started as something much more casual. A leisurely boat ride turned into a need for speed, and the husband-and-wife duo found themselves hooked on jet boat racing.

Stowers recalled what stood out most from their first race together. “The biggest thing for me is we finished that first race and to see the joy on her face,” he said.

Grandjean said she was nervous at first, but that didn’t last long once they got on the water. “When we decided to go out in a race, I was initially terrified and then as soon as we did kind of our first run up and down the river, I think that’s kind of when I said, well, this is going to work out I’m hooked at this point and you know, does this boat go faster?” Grandjean said.

Jet boat racing is international, with competitors from New Zeland, Canada, Mexico and the U.S. expected to go head-to-head. Last year, Canada hosted the world championship in Alberta and British Columbia. Now, it’s Idaho’s turn.

Stowers said Idaho’s variety of rivers is part of what makes it a standout host. “Idaho has so many different choices of types of rivers to run. We can race the Payette River and it has a certain style of whitewater or rapids or flat water and then after that we go up North to the St. Joe River, which is more meandering current sharp corners through forested area,” he said.

The event kicks off Friday, May 8, in Emmett, Idaho, with an opening ceremony at the Roadhouse concert venue.

Stowers compared the championship to the biggest stages in sports. “It’s an event that’s our Super Bowl or our Olympics, if you will, you know so come be part of it,” he said.

The USA Jet River Racing Association is a nonprofit that runs entirely on donations and sponsorships. For businesses interested in sponsoring the statewide event and for people who want to volunteer click here.