2026 KFNW Kayak Bass Classic

October 3-4 | Lake Bonneville (Columbia River), Hood River, OR

Mumford Goes Wire to Wire on One of the Best Smallmouth Fisheries in the Country

The 2026 Snake River Manufacturing KFNW Kayak Bass Classic presented by Diamond Parking and Self Storage brought 22 of the tour’s top anglers to Lake Bonneville on the Columbia River for two days of smallmouth fishing, October 3–4. Boundaries ran from the Bridge of the Gods upstream to The Dalles Bridge, and water temperature held at a chilly 64°F both days.

The Columbia River Gorge made itself known on Saturday. The forecast called for 5–18 mph winds building toward noon, but by 10:00 a.m. anglers near the western end of the boundaries were already dealing with 3–4 foot rollers, and some decided to get off the water. On the eastern end it was a different day entirely, with one angler near The Dalles Bridge reporting water like glass. Sunday’s wind was milder and didn’t create problems for the field.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The Pacific Northwest is often overlooked on the national bass fishing stage. Anglers in other parts of the country have asked, “Do you even have bass out there?” Some have heard the Columbia River holds smallmouth. But few know the world-class smallmouth fishery the Columbia River actually is.

Maybe we shouldn’t let that cat out of the bag. I guess it’s too late. This weekend settles the question. The field turned in 11 five-fish limits over 90 inches, four two-day totals over 180 inches, and one two-day total of a remarkable 192.75 inches. On Saturday alone, six anglers broke 90 inches, led by Mumford’s 97.50. Those are exceptional numbers for any fishery in the country, and a single-day bag like Mumford’s would contend for a title just about anywhere smallmouth swim.

Mumford said it best on the mic at the awards: “To be honest with you, probably one of the best smallmouth fisheries that I’ve ever been to, if not the best.”

Saturday: Wind, Rollers, and a Tight Top Three

Geoff Linson (Shelton, WA) set the early pace with a monumental bag that included fish of 19.75 and 19.25 inches and a pair of 19s, all caught before the wind arrived in earnest. Linson was in the middle of the worst of it when the rollers hit, and he left the water after fishing only two of the eight hours allotted. His 95.75-inch bag held the lead for most of the day anyway.

That changed when Michael Mumford (Nampa, ID) uploaded his bag just after 11:30 a.m., anchored by a 20.50-inch and a 20.00-inch smallmouth, for a day-leading 97.50 inches. TJ Osojnicki (Boise, ID) then culled his way into second at 96.00 inches with a 20.50-inch fish of his own at 1:55 p.m. After day one, the top three were separated by just 1.75 inches.

Sunday: Mumford Seals It

Some anglers moved to new water on Sunday, but none of the podium contenders did. Linson came out hot again, boating a 17.50-inch fish at 6:48 a.m. for the first fish of the day and a quick lead, then adding fish of 19.25 and 19.50 inches before 8:05 a.m. Mumford kept stacking 19s and 20s through the morning, took over the lead, and never gave it back. His 95.25-inch Sunday bag was the best of the day, making him the only angler to post the top bag on both days, and he finished at 192.75 inches.

Linson’s 92.50-inch Sunday bag moved him past Osojnicki for second at 188.25 inches, a remarkable finish for an angler who fished only two hours on Saturday. Osojnicki held on for third at 185.25 inches.

Defending Classic champion Dan Walker (Seattle, WA) made the biggest move inside the top 10, climbing from seventh to fourth on a 91.50-inch Sunday bag. That made him the First Angler Out of the Money. 2025 AOY Brandon Hua (Hillsboro, OR), who relaunched in a new section to climb the leaderboard on Saturday, held his ground in fifth at 178.50 inches. Kevin Amaral (Seattle, WA) rounded out the top six at 177.00 inches.

Sunday’s Big Movers

Brian Oles (Kennewick, WA) made his presence known with twin 19.25-inch smallmouth caught about 30 minutes apart in the same spot. Those fish anchored a 92.75-inch bag, the second best of the day, and lifted him from 18th to 10th. Jesse Brummett (Vancouver, WA) matched that eight-spot climb, going from 17th to ninth on a 91.50-inch bag. Scott Samson (Boise, ID) put 16 scored fish on the board Sunday, including a 20.50-inch fish that was the biggest fish of Day Two, and moved up four spots.

Dugger’s Personal Best Takes Big Bass

The biggest fish of the tournament came on Saturday, when Lacey Dugger (Wenatchee, WA) boated a 21.25-inch brute of a smallmouth at 10:09 a.m. It was her personal best, and nobody touched it on Sunday, giving her the Big Bass Buy-In title. Her son, 2026 AOY Jordan Dugger (Ephrata, WA), caught the first two scored fish of the tournament on Saturday morning and finished 14th at 168.00 inches.

With Dugger’s winner coming on Saturday, Big Bass Runner Up went to the biggest fish from Sunday, and that belonged to Samson. His 20.50-inch fish came at 11:51 a.m., part of the 16-fish day that powered his climb.

That wraps the 2026 KFNW season. Congratulations to Michael Mumford, your 2026 KFNW Kayak Bass Classic champion, and to a field that showed the rest of the country what the Northwest has been keeping to itself.

🏆 Podium Finishes

1. 🥇 Michael Mumford (Nampa, ID) – 192.75″ – $2,322
2. 🥈 Geoff Linson (Shelton, WA) – 188.25″ – $1,007
3. 🥉 TJ Osojnicki (Boise, ID) – 185.25″ – $787

Big Bass Buy-In

• Lacey Dugger (Wenatchee, WA) – 21.25″ Smallmouth Bass – $1,013
• Runner Up: Scott Samson (Boise, ID) – 20.50″ Smallmouth Bass – $100

Special Awards

• First Angler Out of the Money: Dan Walker (Seattle, WA) received a $250 gift card from Discount Tackle
• Lil Limit of the Day: Shailesh Prasad (Seattle, WA) received the prestigious award for his 75.75″ day two limit

Tourney Trivia

• Totals: 368 fish were submitted and accepted by 21 of 22 anglers — 17.5 fish per angler
• Where From: Washington: 15 | Idaho: 3 | Oregon: 3
• Five-Fish Limits: 19 anglers completed a full five-fish bag on both days
• Species: All smallmouth, all weekend
• Citation Bass: 35 Smallmouth (19+ inches)
• 20-Inch Club: 8 smallmouth of 20.00″ or better from 5 anglers, led by Michael Mumford with three
• First Fish of Day 1: Jordan Dugger (Ephrata, WA) at 6:47 AM — a 17.00″ smallmouth
• Last Fish of Day 1: Jim Cary (Spokane, WA) at 2:36 PM — a 17.25″ smallmouth
• First Fish of Day 2: Geoff Linson (Shelton, WA) at 6:48 AM — a 17.50″ smallmouth
• Last Fish of Day 2: Corey Carlile (Spokane, WA) at 1:42 PM — a 16.00″ smallmouth
• Biggest Climbers: Brian Oles (18th to 10th) and Jesse Brummett (17th to 9th), each up eight spots on Sunday
• Event Big Fish: Lacey Dugger (Wenatchee, WA) — 21.25″ Smallmouth Bass

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Full Final Standings

We paid out $3,179 to the top 3 anglers with a 95% payout rate, plus $216 for Big Bass.

Rank	Angler	City, State	Earnings	Day 1	Day 2	TOTAL
1	Mumford, Michael	Nampa, ID	$2,322.00	20.50 · 20.00 · 19.50 · 19.00 · 18.50 97.50	20.00 · 19.75 · 19.50 · 18.00 · 18.00 95.25	192.75
2	Linson, Geoff	Shelton, WA	$1,007.00	19.75 · 19.25 · 19.00 · 19.00 · 18.75 95.75	19.50 · 19.25 · 18.25 · 18.00 · 17.50 92.50	188.25
3	Osojnicki, TJ	Boise, ID	$787.00	20.50 · 20.25 · 19.50 · 18.25 · 17.50 96.00	18.50 · 18.25 · 17.75 · 17.50 · 17.25 89.25	185.25
4	Walker, Dan	Seattle, WA		18.75 · 18.00 · 18.00 · 17.75 · 16.50 89.00	19.25 · 19.25 · 18.00 · 17.75 · 17.25 91.50	180.50
5	Hua, Brandon	Hillsboro, OR		18.50 · 18.25 · 18.25 · 18.25 · 17.75 91.00	19.75 · 18.75 · 16.50 · 16.25 · 16.25 87.50	178.50
6	Amaral, Kevin	Seattle, WA		19.75 · 19.75 · 18.75 · 16.75 · 15.75 90.75	19.50 · 18.75 · 16.00 · 16.00 · 16.00 86.25	177.00
7	Cary, Jim	Spokane, WA		18.50 · 18.25 · 17.25 · 17.25 · 17.00 88.25	20.00 · 18.25 · 18.00 · 16.50 · 15.50 88.25	176.50
8	Larson, Andrew	Donald, OR		19.00 · 18.50 · 17.50 · 16.75 · 16.75 88.50	19.00 · 17.50 · 17.50 · 16.75 · 16.25 87.00	175.50
9	Brummett, Jesse	Vancouver, WA		17.50 · 17.00 · 15.50 · 14.75 · 14.00 78.75	19.50 · 19.25 · 18.00 · 17.50 · 17.25 91.50	170.25
10	Oles, Brian	Kennewick, WA		16.00 · 15.75 · 15.25 · 15.25 · 15.00 77.25	19.25 · 19.25 · 18.50 · 18.25 · 17.50 92.75	170.00
11	Raymond, Will	Bellingham, WA		19.25 · 19.00 · 18.75 · 17.75 · 17.50 92.25	18.50 · 16.25 · 15.00 · 14.25 · 12.50 76.50	168.75
12	Sapp, Methea	Spokane, WA		18.50 · 17.75 · 16.50 · 16.50 · 16.25 85.50	18.00 · 16.50 · 16.50 · 16.00 · 16.00 83.00	168.50
13	Carlile, Corey	Spokane, WA		18.25 · 17.25 · 17.25 · 16.75 · 16.75 86.25	18.25 · 16.75 · 16.00 · 15.50 · 15.25 81.75	168.00
14	Dugger, Jordan	Ephrata, WA		17.75 · 17.00 · 16.75 · 16.50 · 15.75 83.75	17.25 · 17.00 · 17.00 · 16.75 · 16.25 84.25	168.00
15	Potts, Trey	Dayton, WA		17.50 · 16.25 · 16.25 · 16.00 · 15.50 81.50	18.50 · 18.25 · 16.50 · 16.50 · 16.50 86.25	167.75
16	Samson, Scott	Boise, ID	$100.00	16.25 · 15.25 · 15.00 · 14.75 · 13.25 74.50	20.50 · 19.00 · 17.00 · 16.75 · 16.25 89.50	164.00
17	Dugger, Lacey	Wenatchee, WA	$1,013.00	21.25 · 17.25 · 15.25 · 15.00 · 14.75 83.50	19.00 · 18.25 · 14.75 · 14.00 · 14.00 80.00	163.50
18	Williams, Chris	Olympia, WA		16.50 · 16.25 · 16.00 · 16.00 · 15.75 80.50	18.75 · 16.25 · 16.25 · 15.50 · 15.50 82.25	162.75
19	Motherwell, Robert	Seattle, WA		16.50 · 16.50 · 15.75 · 15.00 · 13.00 76.75	17.50 · 16.75 · 16.50 · 16.00 · 15.75 82.50	159.25
20	Henning, Brandon	Spanaway, WA		18.00 · 18.00 · 17.50 · 17.00 · 16.50 87.00	18.00 · 17.00 · 16.00 · 12.75 63.75	150.75
21	Prasad, Shailesh	Eugene, OR		18.00 · 14.00 32.00	17.50 · 16.50 · 15.00 · 13.75 · 13.00 75.75	107.75

1 angler did not complete the event and was removed from the standings.

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October 3-4 | Lake Bonneville (Columbia River), Hood River, OR

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Lake Bonneville (also known as the Bonneville Pool) is the lowermost impoundment on the Columbia River, formed by Bonneville Dam and extending upstream to The Dalles Dam through the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Held between the two dams, the pool behaves much like a lake, though current here can run swift, especially through the Gorge — a real adjustment for anglers more accustomed to still water.

The pool has built a nationwide reputation as a premium smallmouth bass fishery, and it’s almost exclusively a smallmouth game in this section of the river. Smallmouth relate heavily to the rock (riprap banks, basalt ledges, boulder fields, and rocky points) that lines much of the Gorge on both the Oregon and Washington sides. Largemouth bass are present but rare here, occasionally turning up in the calmer backwaters and sloughs off the main channel.

Beyond bass, the pool holds walleye, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, channel catfish, resident white sturgeon (landlocked above Bonneville Dam), and salmon and steelhead passing through on their upstream migrations, along with a run of American shad.

Boundaries for this event stretch from The Dalles Bridge (upstream) to the Bridge of the Gods (downstream), covering approximately [24,000] acres of water and [96] miles of shoreline.

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Qualified Anglers

Throughout the KFNW season, there will be several opportunities to qualify for the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic (KBC). To learn more about qualifications, please visit the KFNW Rules Standard.

What is the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic? The Kayak Bass Classic (KBC) is an event that occurs every fall, where the top-ranked anglers from all KFNW Tour Events are invited to compete.The KBC is a two-day tournament on a body of water that will be chosen by KFNW directors. The location generally rotates between locations in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Starting in 2026, the top 10% of each KFNW Tour Event qualify for the KFNW Kayak Bass Classic.

If you have any questions, please email marvinforte@kayakfishingnorthwest.com

KFNW Kayak Bass Classic Hall of Fame

• 2020 Champion: Lance Lindsey (OR) on Tenmile Lake, Oregon
• 2021 Champion: Dan Zimmerschied (ID) on CJ Strike Reservoir, Idaho
• 2022 Champion: Andrew Larsen (WA) on Columbia River (Lake Umatilla), Washington
• 2023 Champion: Mason Meredith (OR) on Upper Willamette River, Oregon
• 2024 Champion: Brandon Hua (OR) on Dworshak Reservoir, Idaho
• 2025 Champion: Dan Walker (WA) on Potholes Reservoir, Washington

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Anglers qualified for the 2026 KBC:

1. Kevin Amaral (Seattle, WA) – qualified 2 times
2. Jesse Brummett (Vancouver, WA) – qualified 1 time
3. Corey Carlile (Spokane, WA) – qualified 2 times
4. Jim Cary (Spokane, WA) – qualified 2 times
5. Hayden Dowson (Osoyoos, BC) – qualified 1 time
6. Jordan Dugger (Ephrata, WA) – qualified 5 times
7. Lacey Dugger (Wenatchee, WA) – qualified 1 time
8. Brandon Henning (Spanaway, WA) – qualified 1 time
9. Brandon Hua (Hillsboro, OR) – qualified 2 times
10. Andrew Larson (Donald, OR) – qualified 4 times
11. Geoff Linson (Shelton, WA) – qualified 1 time
12. Kyle Mallett (Moscow, ID) – qualified 1 time
13. Jason McClure (Eugene, OR) – qualified 1 time
14. Robert Motherwell (Seattle, WA) – qualified 1 time
15. Michael Mumford (Nampa, ID) – qualified 3 times
16. Brian Oles (Kennewick, WA) – qualified 1 time
17. TJ Osojnicki (Boise, ID) – qualified 2 times
18. Trey Potts (Dayton, WA) – qualified 1 times
19. Shailesh Prasad (Eugene, OR) – qualified 1 time
20. Will Raymond (Bellingham, WA) – qualified 4 times
21. JR Rowlands (Winlock, WA) – qualified 1 time
22. Scott Samson (Boise, ID) – qualified 1 time
23. Methea Sapp (Spokane, WA) – qualified 1 time
24. Dan Walker (Seattle, WA) – qualified 2 times
25. Chris Williams (Olympia, WA) – qualified 2 times

Qualified anglers by home state

• Washington: 16
• Oregon: 4
• Idaho: 4
• British Columbia: 1

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How They Qualified:

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Tournament Schedule

All times are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

Off-Limits Period

• No Off-Limits

Registration Deadline

• Thursday, October 1, 2026 – Registration Deadline
• Late registration is available on a limited basis, and is first-come, first-served. There is a $10 service fee for late registration.

Official Practice Period

• Saturday, September 26, 2026 through Friday, October 2, 2026
• 6:30 AM – Practice Launch / Lines In
• 2:30 PM – Practice Lines Out / Off the Water

Friday – October 2, 2026

• 5:00 PM – Pre-Event Briefing | Port Marina Park, Hood River, OR
• 10:00 PM – Identifier Code Released

Saturday – October 3, 2026

• 5:45 AM to 6:15 AM – Virtual Check-In and Selfie Anglers are required to check-in on TourneyX (cell service permitting) and take a selfie at their launch, within this window. Failure to display a selfie when requested by tournament officials at the Awards may result in disqualification.
• 6:10 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Human-Powered
• 6:15 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Electric Motors
• 6:45 AM – Lines In
• 7:07 AM – Sunrise
• 2:45:00 PM – Lines Out
• 3:45 PM – Upload Deadline / Off the Water Cell Service on Water: Spotty
  Cellular service may not be available on the water. It is the competitor’s responsibility to find service and upload their fish before the Upload Deadline.

Sunday – October 4, 2026

• 5:45 AM to 6:15 AM – Virtual Check-In and Selfie Anglers are required to check-in on TourneyX (cell service permitting) and take a selfie at their launch, within this window. Failure to display a selfie when requested by tournament officials at the Awards may result in disqualification.
• 6:10 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Human-Powered
• 6:15 AM – Launch (Designated Launches) | Electric Motors
• 6:45 AM – Lines In
• 7:08 AM – Sunrise
• 1:45:00 PM – Lines Out
• 2:45 PM – Upload Deadline / Off the Water Cell Service on Water: Spotty
  Cellular service may not be available on the water. It is the competitor’s responsibility to find service and upload their fish before the Upload Deadline.
• 3:45 PM – Awards Ceremony and Gear Drawing | Rockford Grange, Hood River, OR
  Competitors MUST be present at Awards ceremony location by this time. Competitors who are not present by this time will be disqualified.

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Washington / Oregon Reciprocation

• A Washington OR Oregon fishing license is required to fish the main stem of the Columbia River (in Lake Bonneville section)
• If you plan to fish tributaries, rivers or sloughs on either side, you must have a fishing license for the state where that body of water is located
  • For example, if you wish to fish Rock Cove, Wind River, Drano Lake, White Salmon River, Klickitat River, you MUST have a Washington fishing license. If you wish to fish Hood River, you must have an Oregon fishing license.

Washington Regulations and Links

• A Washington fishing license is required for Washington waters (temporary or annual) – Visit WDFW
• Competitors in any in-person Tournament (Tour Event or Open) that includes waters in Washington MUST complete Aquatic Invasive Species Decontamination Statement at Pre-Event Briefing. If the Competitor has operated their watercraft outside of Idaho, Oregon, or Washington within 30 days before the Tournament, they must decontaminate their watercraft and complete an Aquatic Invasive Species Decontamination Report. Failure to complete or provide these forms at Pre-Event Briefing, or failure to comply with the regulations will result in disqualification from the Tournament. Washington residents are encouraged to register their motorized watercraft, especially if they plan to fish Federal Inland Waterways in Washington (including, but not limited to the Columbia River, Lower Snake River, tidal tributaries, Lake Washington, Lake Union, and Lake Chehalis) or waterways outside Washington – Visit WDFW
• Our permit from WDFW requires all competitors display a yellow EVENT flag during all Washington events. The flag should only be displayed on tournament day, not during pre-fishing. You can purchase a flag here on the KFNW website: EVENT Flag.

Oregon Regulations and Links

• An Oregon fishing license is required for Oregon waters (temporary or annual) – Visit ODFW
  • Columbia River Basin Endorsement is not needed for bass in Oregon
  • Salmon/Steelhead Harvest Card is not needed for bass in Oregon
• Watercraft registration is required for motorized watercraft (residents only) – Visit OSMB
• Waterway Access Permit is required for non-motorized watercraft 10 feet or longer (residents and non-residents) – Visit ODFW
• For motorized watercraft (residents), AIS Permit is included in your watercraft registration. 
• For motorized watercraft (non-residents), Out-of-State Motorized AIS Permit is required – Visit OSMB
• Our permit from WDFW requires all competitors display a yellow EVENT flag during all Washington events. The flag should only be displayed on tournament day, not during pre-fishing. You can purchase a flag here on the KFNW website: EVENT Flag.

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Pre-Event Briefing

Pre-Event Briefing Location

Pre-Event Briefing Details

• Before the Pre-Event Briefing, a video will be published to go over specific details for this Tour Event. Certain rules may be discussed, but we will not review all the rules. It is the competitor’s responsibility to read and know all rules as published in the Rules Standard.
• A signed hard copy of the Liability Release is required by all competitors for each Event. You can download the Liability Release in advance and bring the completed form (download below).
• Electric Motor Inspection form is required for any competitor with a DIY or non-standard motor setup. If you have a non-standard setup, contact the Tournament Director to see if an inspection is necessary.
• Certified bump board is required and board check will be performed. Boards should be clean and dry.
• Competitors will have the opportunity to ask any questions before the meeting is adjourned.
• Attendance at the Pre-Event Briefing is mandatory. If you can’t attend the meeting due to work or an unavoidable obligation, another angler can bring your Liability Release and bump board on your behalf. This solely the responsibility of the two competitors and no exceptions will be given.

Location Details

Eligible Water Boundaries

• Dalles Bridge (upstream)
• Bridge of the Gods (downstream)
• Connected creeks, rivers, sloughs and tributaries accessible via kayak from the main body of water are in-bounds (conditions permitting for safety and accessibility)
• Disconnected sloughs and ponds are out-of-bounds
• Portaging is not permitted
• Only public waters are allowed

Designated Launch Locations

• Bingen Harbor Boat Launch and Dock (improved) popular with salmon boats
• Cascade Boat Launch (improved) popular with salmon boats
• Cascade Locks Marine Park (improved) popular with salmon boats
• Cascade Locks Marine Park Beach (unimproved) no ramp, limited trailer parking
• The Dalles Marina Boat Ramp (improved)
• Doug’s Beach Day Use (unimproved) no ramp
• Drano Lake Boat Ramp (improved) very popular with salmon boats. Must purchase a Skamania Parking Pass online.
• Drano Lake Kayak Launch (unimproved) no ramp.
• Herman Creek Day Use (unimproved) no ramp, rough, difficult launch
• Hood River Waterfront Trail Launch (semi-improved) no trailer access to ramp but good for kayak carts
• Kiwanis Pocket Park at Klindts Cove (unimproved) no ramp, rough, difficult launch
• Lyle Boat Ramp (semi-improved)
• Mayer State Park Boat Ramp (improved)
• Mayer State Park Beach (unimproved) no ramp, rough, difficult launch, weedy, best to avoid
• Port of Hood River Boat Ramp (improved)
• Rock Creek Park (unimproved) no ramp CLOSED DUE TO LOW WATER
• Viento State Park Day Use (unimproved) no ramp
• Wind River Boat Ramp (improved) popular with salmon boats. Must purchase a Skamania Parking Pass online.
• No other launches are allowed

Awards Location

Safety Notes

• An overhead 360° light is required in low light conditions. A high-visibility flag, vest-type PFD, and sound signaling device (whistle) are required on the water at all times. Failure to utilize any of this safety equipment may result in disqualification.

KFNW Membership

• KFNW Membership is required to participate in this event. You can register at https://kayakfishingnorthwest.com/product/2025-kfnw-member-registration/

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Tournament Director

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Downloads

• Waiver and Release of Liability Agreement (Adult)
• Waiver and Release of Liability Agreement (Minor and Adult)
• Electric Motor Inspection

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Links

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