Thunder on the Snake
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September 7, 2023
Karen Huwe
One of the jet boats skimming the water during the Thunder on the Snake race at Hells Gate State Park.
LEWISTON, IDAHO-During Labor Day weekend, the roar of jet boats screaming down the Snake River at Hells Gate State Park sounded like low-flying airliners over your head.
The Thunder on the Snake Jet River Marathon had four classifications of jet boats competing for awards. The turbine class boats have 1500-plus horsepower jet engines with speeds between 145 and 160 miles per hour. The A class have powerful 800-900 HP motors, the CX races 525 HP boats, and the entry-level FX class boats are fast at 400 HP.
A Show and Shine was held at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel on Friday. The following Saturday morning, we heard the thundering of the jet boats racing from Hells Gate State Park to Bear Bar for the first leg of the event. People lined the beach and roadway to watch the boats barely touch the water as they screamed down the Snake, back from Bear Bar for the second leg.
Saturday afternoon, the racers raced a three-lap circuit from Hells Gate State Park around the three-mile island and back to the starting line at Hells Gate State Park.
For safety, drivers were accompanied by a crew member who watched for obstacles in the water during the race. Due to the jet boats' high speeds, no other watercraft, including kayaks, were allowed on the water during the event.
The Thunder on the Snake will return in 2024.
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