A Call To All Female River Surfers
Yes, surfing has it: the babe factor. It’s an age old problem that the recognition of female surfers is often reduced to their appearance, rather than to respect their athletic prowess. Similar to other sports, the male-dominant surfing world is particularly prone to sexism. Well, this has long been the case in ocean surfing at least …
The struggle of female surfers to gain official parity is probably most apparent in the disproportionate pay difference between male and female surfers on tours and in comps. While there are efforts to narrow prevailing gender gaps in the ocean surfing industry, the most pioneering and innovative organisers in the world of river surfing avoid this issue right from the beginning.
The PRGs Offer Equal Chances in River Surfing
This year, the Payette River Games offer the largest prize purse in the history of river surfing in North America. Ok, that’s sweet, but what’s so special about it? Well, besides a decent cash purse of $ 5.000 in the elite class, the prize money is split evenly between male and female riders. No difference at all — because female surfers ripp the same wave, in the same park, at the same spot under the same conditions there is really no reason why they shouldn’t receive the same pay. It really is that simple! Also, the grand total for the kayak and SUP comp is $ 50.000 each, which makes it (to our knowledge) the biggest cash purse in the history of these sports. Here, the same rules apply: kayak and SUP are open for anyone who wants to enter and prizes are split evenly too.
As the PRGs award equal prize money to men and women, female competitors are explicitly encouraged to sign up.
Besides the equal prize money, there is another interesting fact about Kelly’s Whitewater Park, the location where the games will be held. Kelly’s not only recognised a one of the premier whitewater parks in the states, but it is also known to be a “female” river park. The games’ founders Kristina & Mark Pickard explained in a recent interview with Riverbreak why the park is actually female, pointing to the fact that not only is “water” female, but “waves” too. For those who are not familiar with the history of the park, it might be interesting to note that Kelly’s was built in memory of Kelly Brennan, a female sport enthusiast and successful athlete in skiing, track, swimming, and field hockey who passed away in a car accident back in 1997.
Shaping the Future of Female River Surfing
Events like the Payette River Games are decisive not only for the future of river surfing as a whole, but for how our sport will develop in terms of gender equality. Splitting the prize money evenly between men and women contributes to a brighter future for river surfing with equal chances for men and women. If river surfing is not to follow in the footsteps of ocean surfing, we cannot but accept the fact that what men and women offer is different but equal. Because the PRGs organisers believe in equal opportunities for men and women they will compensate male and female winners equally. For details on the exact distribution check out the cash purses in the elite and open class in the tables below.
PRG Elite Class Cash Purse (m/f)
In this class, the skill level ranges from expert to pro, for both male & female competitors. Riders should be able to perform high speed critical manoeuvres such as but not limited to 360′s, Aerials & Reversals.
| Best | Male | Female | Total |
| Aerial | $500 | $500 | $1,000 |
| 360 | $500 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Carve | $500 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Snap | $500 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Wave | $500 | $500 | $1,000 |
| TOTAL: | $2,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
PRG Open Class Cash Purse (m/f)
In this class, the skill level ranges from intermediate to advanced, for both male and female competitors. Riders should be able to generate speed & turn with ease.
| Best | Male | Female | Total |
| Aerial | $100 | $100 | $200 |
| 360 | $100 | $100 | $200 |
| Carve | $100 | $100 | $200 |
| Snap | $100 | $100 | $200 |
| Wave | $100 | $100 | $200 |
| TOTAL: | $500 | $500 | $1,000 |
Register for the Payette River Games 2014
Guys and gals, come join the Payette River Games and be part of one of the most decisive moments in the history of river surfing: Official registration and registration Information.
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RB Team The editorial team of Riverbreak is a loose connection of passionate river surfers. As a group, we strive to give the larger community a voice on an international level – our mission is to connect river surfers around the globe.
