Stan Kolby

Stan Kolby leads a very active life – boating, skiing, mountain biking, hunting, running, and golf. A Boise native and one our local champions on the slopes, Stan translated his love of the outdoors by merging his personal and business interests into one. He is an avid hunter and most recently took up riding a dirt bike. Stan is also an avid golfer. He tied with two other golfers for the Boys on Tour golf tour champion in 2004 and won the Whistler Championship in 1999. Stan is also a force in Idaho boating as a board member with the Idaho Whitewater Association and a constant volunteer and contributor to Idaho Rivers United.

“Stan and Jo are awesome people who do a tremendous amount of work and are tremendous supporters of IRU,” said Development Director Jessica Hixson. “Without such dedicated members, we could never do the work we do.” Stan and Jo were honored by Idaho Rivers United as Volunteers of the Year in 2004. As members of Friends of the Payette, they witnessed the birth of Idaho Rivers United in 1990. Since then, “they’ve given generously of their time, merchandise, equipment, money, ideas and contacts” to support Idaho’s Rivers through the Idaho Conservation League, IRU and the Idaho Whitewater Association among others.

Stan and partner Jo Cassin started Idaho River Sports in 1987 in Boise’s Hyde Park district. He also operated The Skier's Edge until just a few years ago when the boating business started became a year round venture. In 2005 they opened a new, larger store near the Boise River in the Northend on Pleasanton Avenue and kept the Hyde Park location North on 13th Street for their new sportswear outlet named EveryWear.

In 2004 Stan and Jo worked with the City of Boise Parks and Recreation department to build a wheelchair accessible dock on Quinn’s Pond near the Greenbelt and their new store location.

Nothing seems to slow Stan down. A few years ago, a skiing injury to his left knee brought all Stan’s activities to a halt. Stan had torn his Anterior Cruciate Ligament, or ACL. Despite his injuries, Stan can participate in the many activities that he enjoys without pain. “I’m still as active as I used to be,” commented Stan, “although I don’t ski off cliffs anymore". And you know he did.