Idaho River Sports

What Idaho River Sports does

Idaho River Sports is a privately held, single-location paddle sports retailer founded in 1987 by Stan Kolby and Jo Cassin in Boise, Idaho. The company sells rigid and inflatable kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, surfboards, whitewater rafts, catarafts, and a comprehensive accessories range (PFDs, dry bags, pumps, wetsuits, water shoes, apparel, repair parts) across 83 product collections on a Shopify e-commerce storefront, with brands including Aire, Dagger, Pyranha, Hala, Badfish, Astral, and Boardworks. The business model is a hybrid of retail hardware sales, usage-based equipment rentals (on-site hourly Quinn's Pond rentals and off-site multi-day river gear rentals), unit-priced instructional classes (Intro to Whitewater Kayaking at $40, Beginner Kayak and SUP classes, Solar Sun Pilates at $7, Sound Bath, SUP n' Sip), professional repair services ($75/hour plus gasket pricing), and weekly kids summer camps for ages 6-11. The store operates year-round, seven days a week from 9AM-9PM at 601 N Whitewater Park Blvd, adjacent to the Boise Whitewater Park and Esther Simplot Park Complex.

The company serves three core customer segments: outdoor water sports enthusiasts ranging from beginners to expert kayakers and rafters, families seeking structured youth outdoor programming, and professional paddlesports athletes who serve as sponsored ambassadors. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer retail, event-driven community engagement through monthly River Markets featuring live music, food trucks, and partner vendors, and product-led rental experiences that allow customers to test watercraft on-site before purchasing. Distribution channels include the physical Boise storefront, the Shopify online store, on-site Quinn's Pond rentals, off-site river gear rentals, and wave/surf rentals at Boise Whitewater Park.

Marketing and community presence are anchored by an active Instagram account (@idahoriversports), a content blog ("Tales From the River"), email newsletter, and an extensive network of conservation and community nonprofit partnerships including Idaho Rivers United, Conservation Voters for Idaho, Trout Unlimited, Idaho Conservation League, River Discovery, and Camp Rainbow Gold. The current operating team comprises approximately eight named individuals led by General Manager Cece (since 2024), supported by an AGM/Buyer, Events & Marketing Manager, bookkeepers, and crew members. The company has no disclosed institutional investors, no parent entity, no subsidiaries, and has grown organically across nearly four decades.

Name

Idaho River Sports

Legal name

Idaho River Sports

Website

https://idahoriversports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Idaho River Sports is a privately held Boise, Idaho paddle sports retailer founded in 1987, selling kayaks, SUPs, rafts, and accessories while offering equipment rentals, instructional classes, repair services, kids summer camps, and community events to outdoor water sports enthusiasts in the Treasure Valley.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Recreation Retail

NAICS

Recreational Goods Rental (532284), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Paddle Sports Retail (Kayak, Canoe, SUP, Paddles) (CRAMAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Sports Equipment Retail (Wake, Ski, Tow, Tubes) (CRAMAIAC), Water Sports & Marine Recreation Retail (Paddle/Surf/Dive/Boat Accessories) (CRAMABAI), Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB), Whitewater & Paddle Sports Centers (Rafting, Kayak, SUP, Canoe) (THAAAKAF)

Keywords

• Paddle sports retail
• Kayak equipment rental
• Whitewater rafting gear
• Stand up paddleboards
• Outdoor recreation store

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Inventory / Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Sales: Physical retail store selling whitewater rafts, kayaks, fishing kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, surfboards, paddling accessories and apparel
2. Equipment Rentals: On-site Quinn's Pond rentals (tubes, kayaks, SUPs) and off-site watercraft and gear rentals including rafts, frames, kayaks, paddleboards, tubes, canoes, life jackets, paddles, helmets, safety gear, and camp accessories
3. Classes and Instruction: Various instructional classes including Intro to Whitewater Kayaking, Beginner Basic Kayak/SUP classes, Solar Sun Pilates, SUP Yoga, Sound Bath, and SUP n' Sip events
4. Kids Summer Camps: Monday-Friday week-long nature camps for children ages 6-11 featuring outdoor adventure, STEAM learning, and watersports activities
5. Repair Services: Watercraft repairs including general repairs, patches, glue, and gasket replacement (wrist, neck, ankle, latex booties) with hourly labor rates

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Idaho River Sports is a Boise-based retail and rental business specializing in paddle sports equipment and outdoor experiences. The company sells kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, surfboards, whitewater rafts, catarafts, and paddling accessories from multiple brands, and offers on-site Quinn's Pond rentals, off-site river gear rentals, instructional classes, watercraft repair services, kids summer camps, and community events.

Product overview

Idaho River Sports is a Boise-based retail and rental business founded in 1987, specializing in paddle sports equipment and outdoor experiences. The company operates as a single-location store offering: (1) retail sales of kayaks (rigid and inflatable), stand-up paddleboards (hard and inflatable), surfboards, whitewater rafts, and catarafts from brands like Aire, Dagger, Hala, Badfish, Pyranha, Astral, and Boardworks; (2) comprehensive accessory lines including PFDs/life jackets, apparel, water shoes, dry bags, pumps, and watercraft repair services; (3) equipment rental services including on-site Quinn's Pond hourly rentals and off-site multi-day river gear rentals; (4) instructional programming including beginner kayaking and SUP classes, whitewater kayaking courses, and specialty offerings like paddleboard pilates and sound bath yoga; (5) youth summer camps and community events including River Markets. The product portfolio spans from premium whitewater watercraft to beginner-friendly rental packages, supported by professional repair services and educational programming for all skill levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kayaks

Quantifiable outcome

• 37+ years in business as Boise's premier paddle sports store
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Idaho Rivers UnitedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerConservation nonprofit working to keep Idaho's rivers healthy. Idaho River Sports collaborates on events like Salmon Festival and supports their mission through community engagement
• Conservation Voters for IdahocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPolitical organization focused on environmental protection. Partnership supports conservation advocacy through community events and mutual donations for raffles
• River DiscoverycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization providing adventures for cancer survivors that promote healing and strengthening of mind, body and spirit. Partnership offers therapeutic paddlesports experiences
• Trout UnlimitedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational conservation organization bringing people together to care for rivers. Partnership supports fishing conservation and community education
• Bogus BasinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTreasure Valley's year-round destination for mountain recreation. Cross-promotional partnership for outdoor enthusiasts
• Boise YMCAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization strengthening foundations through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Partnership supports community programming
• Camp Rainbow GoldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerServes Idaho children diagnosed with cancer and their families. Partnership provides support and outdoor experiences for families in need
• BSU Outdoor ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoise State University outdoor program for trips and gear rentals. Partnership supports student outdoor recreation
• Idaho Botanical GardenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization connecting people, plants, and nature. Partnership supports community education and nature appreciation
• Boise Co-opminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity co-op nurturing health and wellness. Partnership provides lunch for kids summer camps and supports local community
• Pioneer Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCredit union focused on member success and community. Partnership supports community financial wellness
• Asana Climbing GymminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClimbing gym facilitating positive environment for personal and community growth. Partnership supports fitness-oriented community
• Uncle Ben's HaircutsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal barbershop with professional community vibe. Partnership supports local business community
• Cordillera SafetycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWilderness medicine and technical rescue education company. Partnership provides professional instruction for classes like Intro to Whitewater Kayaking hosted by Bear Valley Kayak School
• Boise River GuidesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducation-forward fly fishing guide company creating fun and memorable experiences. Partnership supports fishing community
• Idaho Conservation LeaguecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIdaho's leading voice for conservation since 1973. Partnership protects clean air, clean water, landscapes, and fish and wildlife
• Foster + HeartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization building responsive foster care community. Partnership supports trauma-informed resource families
• Redside FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports and strengthens professional outdoor guiding community. Programming supports guides in mental, financial, educational, professional, physical, and community health
• Schell BrothersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity builder creating neighborhoods where neighbors become friends. Partnership supports community building

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/idahoriversports
• Xx.com/idahowhitewater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/idaho-river-sports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Idaho River Sports