KTVB.com - authorities have called off the search for 19-year-old male kayaker who went missing on the North Fork of the Payette River Tuesday morning.  The Valley County Sheriff's Office was notified shortly before noon about a missing kayaker near milepost 88 on highway 55, about 10 miles north of Banks.  Valley County Lt. says the man is an expert kayaker who had some type of accident and was last seen swimming toward shore, but went under the water and was not seen again.  He was wearing a life-vest and helmet.  The front end of the kayak was smashed and the foot rest was broken, according to the Sheriff's Office.  The kayak and paddle were recovered.  The man's name has not been released.  We are told his is not from the area and had just met up with a couple of other kayakers Tuesday morning before heading out to the river.  About 30 people assisted in the search.  Valley County Lt says they combed every bit of the area but came up empty.  Deputies and EMS members from Cascade Rural Fire, as well as a Forest Service officer reponded to the scene to assist in the search along with friends of the missing man.  The North Fork of the Payette River is well known for its class 4 and 5 rapids, which is for experts only.

Report:  Male was kayaking on the North Fork of the Payette River when he was forced to exit his kayak and float down the river.  A witness to the event stated it appeared his life jacket was loose and saw the man disappear below the water, never coming back up.  A massive search and rescue operation was launched to locate the victim.  Later that day after his life jacket was found, the focus was shifted to a search and recovery for his body.  To date (7/7/11) the victims body has not been located.
Smiths Ferry                  