News

Racing

Coronavirus COVID-19 Impacts to IRF Events (Update 4)

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the international sporting world, and the IRF is no exception. With lockdowns being brought into play throughout the world, borders closing and extreme travel restrictions in place, it is evident that it will be a long while before the sporting world gets back on its feet.

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IRF

Coronavirus COVID-19 Impacts to IRF Events (Update 3)

Contrary to rumours being released by IRF detractors, the IRF is still actively pursuing our WRC, ERC, ECs and WCs this year along with our GTE activities.  The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the worldwide international sporting calendar, and the IRF calendar is no exception.  Our immediate concern is for events coming

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Racing

Save the Karnali – Nepal’s last and most pristine free-flowing river

by Megh Ale and Karen Bennett The mighty Karnali, Nepal’s longest, largest, and least known river system is in peril. Of the three major river basins emerging from the Nepal Himalaya—the Koshi, Kali Gandaki, and Karnali—the Karnali is the only river that remains free-flowing. All others have been dammed for hydropower generation reflecting an increasingly

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Race Rules

2020 IRF Race Rules now available in Serbian

The 2020 edition of the IRF Race Rules is now available in Serbian. Thanks to Jasmina Marčok for the invaluable assistance in translations and review. 2020 IRF Race Rules in Serbian 2020 IRF Race Rules in Serbian (track changes from 2019 version) Having the race rules translated into multiple languages allows us all to share

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Development

IRF GTE Instructor Conference Agenda launched

Hosted in the French alps, over three action packed days, delegates to the 2020 IRF GTE Instructor Conference will discuss and share ideas on the latest developments in raft guiding and safety. Registration is now open and delegates are encouraged to register early to avoid disappointment when tickets sell out. Full agenda can be found

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IRF

The Coronavirus and WRC 2020 (Update 1)

The following was issued to all national federation contacts on the 30 January 2020. Read the official correspondence to national federations here. The IRF has been working hard to prepare for our flagship competition, the 2020 R4 World Rafting Championship, scheduled to be held 22-30 August on the Wu Pai River in Ziyuan County, Guang

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Racing

River Vrbas draws us back for WRC 2021!

Breaking the mould and proving that raft racing is an enthralling and vibrant sport, the river Vrbas invited teams from across the globe to take part in the 2009 IRF World Rafting Championships. An event which saw racing take place over two rivers in two neighbouring countries and with the most exciting slalom spectacle under

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Guide / Safety

Expanding the IRF River Family in Bhutan

By Zachary Collier The rivers of Bhutan were first explored by groups of international kayakers in the late 1990s. They discovered some phenomenal runs for both rafts and kayaks ranging from Class I to V+. In the 2000s these explorers brought groups of kayakers to Bhutan for the first commercial whitewater trips. Bhutan’s first local

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Guide / Safety

The magical 4 letter F word!!

By Mark Hirst At some point in our raft guiding careers we will all experience a flip! This article aims to highlight some of the key points associated with flipping and will hopefully deliver a few tips to aid in the recovery of a flipped raft along with its crew. Let’s focus on the 3

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