Board Members
James & Regan Byrd
Board President & Founders | northforkchampionship@gmail.com
James and Regan founded the North Fork Championship while working full-time as nurses in Boise, Idaho. As leaders in the kayaking community, they embody the “work hard, play harder” spirit—bringing love, energy, and passion into everything they do. Whether on or off the river, their enthusiasm is contagious. They are building their dream home and life in White Salmon, WA.
Aaron Pruzan
Board Members | aaron@jacksonholekayak.com
Aaron is the owner of Rendezvous River Sports and Jackson Hole Kayak School. As an instructor and coach, he has introduced thousands of people of all ages to the sport of kayaking since 1993. Aaron founded the Jackson Hole Kayak Club in 1996 to promote youth kayaking in the Jackson Hole area.
Over the past three decades, Aaron has been deeply involved with many whitewater expeditions, exploratory descents, and kayaking competitions. This includes exploratory descents in Wyoming, British Columbia, Chile, Argentina & Siberia and numerous victories at regional kayaking races.
In addition to his activities on the water, Aaron helped win Wild & Scenic protection for the Snake River Headwaters in 2009 and continues to advocate for river preservation. Aaron lives in Wilson, Wyoming with his wife Tamsen and their kids, Noah, Nate & Neve.
Cheyenne Rogers
Board Members
Since she skipped her high school prom in favor of Bigfork Whitewater Festival, Cheyenne has centered herself in the river community of the Northwest. From the historic dance parties on the Lochsa River to the recent discos of the Little White Salmon Race, Cheyenne (aka “DJ Bella Flow”) plays the parties and paddles the rivers. The North Fork of the Payette, South Fork of the Salmon River, and the Green Truss are a few of her all time favorites. Contributing to the next chapter of this most legendary event in whitewater kayaking is her dream come true.
Stan Prichard
Board Member
Rob Lesser
Honorary Board Chair
Rob is the living legend within the kayaking community, with stories retold and rivers rerun all around the world. Rob was a pioneer of expedition paddling, getting the first descent on infamous rivers like the Stikine, Devil’s Canyon of the Susitna, the Braldu River in Pakistan, and many more. He was not only an avid paddler, but worked to protect free flowing rivers across the US. He founded the Idaho Whitewater Association which protects Idaho rivers from dam development.
The organizers of the NFC work to make this event something that Rob is proud to support, celebrating the skill, grit, and the vibrant community that thrives on the North Fork.
Carli Beisel
Executive Director | carli.d.beisel@gmail.com
Carli’s paddling journey began at age five, perched in the bow of her dad’s canoe before graduating to a kayak of her own. That early connection to rivers sparked a lifelong passion, carrying her to whitewater destinations around the world. Over the past fifteen years, she has held just about every role in the kayaking industry, from guiding to instruction to T-shirt sales at kayak races. After many years living out of her car down by the river, she now resides in White Salmon, WA.
Today, Carli focuses on giving back to the paddling community—working to protect river ecosystems, expand access to the outdoors, and inspire the next generation of river stewards. She holds a Master’s degree in Hydrologic Sciences from Boise State University, focusing on the impact of urbanization and climate change on surface water supply.