Idaho is hosting the 2026 World Championship Jet Boat River Race — May 8–17. Babes & Blades will be at every stop across the Payette, Salmon, Snake, and St. Joe Rivers with helicopter rides and a merch booth. Find us in the air and on the ground.
2026 World Championship Jet Boat River Race · Idaho

Idaho's Rivers.
World-Class Racing.

For the first time since 2016, Idaho is hosting the World Championship Jet Boat River Race — an international event drawing teams from the USA, Mexico, Canada, and New Zealand across four of Idaho's most iconic rivers over 10 days. Babes & Blades will be at every stop offering helicopter rides, aerial race coverage, and a merch pop-up. This is our home state and we are showing up.

Full Race Schedule — May 8–17, 2026

Find Us at Every Stop

Babes & Blades will be on the ground at all five race stops. At every location we're offering helicopter rides, branded gear, and aerial coverage for race teams.

May 8
Opening Ceremony · Stop 1
Emmett, Idaho — Opening Ceremony & Boat Show
📍 Roadhouse at the Mill, Emmett, ID  ·  🕙 Evening ceremony + vendor booths
The kickoff event for the 2026 World Championship. Boat show, race team introductions, and vendor booths. Babes & Blades will have a merch pop-up and be on the ground before the racing begins.
Heli Rides Available Merch Booth Aerial Coverage
Book Heli Ride Race Teams Official Site →
May 9–10
Race Legs 1 & 2 · Stop 2
Payette River — Emmett to Horseshoe Bend
📍 Black Canyon Reservoir → Horseshoe Bend, ID  ·  🕙 9 AM MST both days Heli Rides Available Merch Booth Aerial Coverage
First time racing the Payette in 32 years. Boats cover the 25-mile legs in under 15 minutes — braided sand flats at Black Canyon, then 15 miles of free-flowing river. Babes & Blades will be flying above the course offering aerial experience flights and race team coverage. Merch booth on site near the Horseshoe Bend viewing area.
Heli Rides Available Merch Booth Aerial Coverage
Book Heli Ride Race Teams Official Site →
May 12
Race Legs 3 & 4 · Stop 3
Salmon River — White Bird / Riggins, Idaho
📍 White Bird / Riggins area, Salmon River  ·  🕙 Race day
Called the "Holy Grail" of jet boat racing — steep canyon walls, swift currents, and torrential rapids. This stretch of the Salmon River hasn't been raced in over 20 years. Babes & Blades will be operating helicopter rides above the canyon — one of the most dramatic aerial views in all of Idaho. Merch booth on site.
Heli Rides Available Merch Booth Aerial Coverage
Book Heli Ride Race Teams Official Site →
May 14
Race Legs 5 & 6 · Stop 4
Snake River — Lewiston, Idaho (Hells Gate)
📍 Hells Gate State Park, Lewiston, ID  ·  🕙 Leg 1: 9:15 AM · Circuit Race: 1:30 PM
Racing from Hells Gate to Bear Bar and back, plus an afternoon circuit race around Three Mile Island. The Snake River canyon here is massive — dramatic walls and wide open water. Babes & Blades will have helicopter rides departing from near Hells Gate and a merch pop-up at the spectator area. Awards ceremony at Hells Canyon Grand Hotel following racing.
Heli Rides Available Merch Booth Aerial Coverage
Book Heli Ride Race Teams Official Site →
May 16–17
Championship Finals · Stop 5
St. Joe River — St. Maries, Idaho (World Championship)
📍 St. Maries to Calder, St. Joe River  ·  🕙 9 AM PST · 4 race legs each day · Closing ceremony + awards banquet
The grand finale. Four race legs per day on the St. Joe River — this is where the 2026 World Champion is crowned. Babes & Blades will have our biggest presence of the series: helicopter rides, full merch booth, aerial team coverage, and a post-race celebration flight over St. Maries. Helicopter experience packages for this event are extremely limited — book early.
Limited Heli Packages Full Merch Booth Aerial Coverage Post-Race Celebration Flight
Book Heli Ride Race Teams Official Site →
Helicopter Experience

Fly the Race Course from Above

Watch the World Championship from the air — canyon walls, racing boats, and Idaho's wildest rivers from a perspective no road can give you. Available at all five race stops.

What happens next:
We'll confirm availability and reach out within 24 hours with pricing and details. St. Maries packages sell out first — book early. Flights are arranged by Babes & Blades Aviation, LLC and operated by FAA-authorized pilots and aircraft.

At Every Stop

What Babes & Blades Brings

Helicopter RidesAll 5 race stops
Merch Pop-Up BoothAll 5 race stops
Aerial Race CoverageAll 5 race stops
Post-Race Celebration FlightSt. Maries only

Race schedule note: The 2026 World Championship Jet Boat River Race runs May 8–17, 2026. International teams from USA, Mexico, Canada, and New Zealand competing. More info at jetboatracingusa.com

Flights are arranged by Babes & Blades Aviation, LLC and operated by FAA-authorized pilots and aircraft. Babes & Blades Aviation, LLC is not an air carrier.

Race Teams

Book Your Bird

Competing in the 2026 World Championship? Book our helicopter for your own aerial coverage, team footage, or sponsor content. Two ways to do it.

Full Charter

Book the Bird — Exclusive

The helicopter is yours for the race leg or session. Your team, your footage, your angles. Ideal for teams with sponsor content requirements or anyone who wants dedicated aerial coverage without sharing.

Inquire for exclusive booking →
Split Charter

Partner Up — Split the Cost

Partner with another race team and share the flight. You each get your footage, split the cost, and both teams walk away with aerial content. We coordinate the scheduling — you just show up ready to race.

Inquire for split booking →

What happens next:
We'll reach out within 24 hours with availability and pricing. For split charters, we can help connect you with other teams. babesandbladesaviation@gmail.com

What You Get

Aerial Coverage Built for Racing

Whether you're shooting for a sponsor or just want your race documented from the air — our helicopter gives you angles no drone or ground crew can match. Idaho's canyon rivers are dramatic from the air. Your race footage should match that.

Full Race Leg CoverageFly the entire course during racing
Follow a Specific BoatDedicated tracking of your team
Canyon & Scenery ShotsB-roll and establishing footage
Split Charter CoordinationWe connect you with partner teams
Available All 5 StopsPayette through St. Joe

Pricing: All race team bookings are custom-quoted. Reach out and we'll build the right package for your team's needs.