2019 Senior Worlds is set to be another amazing event.

Please be aware the schedule may still change slightly, depending on TV requirements, and also the number of entries received for the event.

On 8th March 2019 the International Federation for Sport Officials (IFSO) was created in The Hague (Netherlands). The first general assembly took place at the Peace Palace, the headquarters of the International Court of Justice. The World Rafting Federation, represented by President Danilo Barmaz, was present as a founding member.

AFTER THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST WORLD RAFTING CHAMPIONSHIP IN ITALY, LAST JULY, TUNCELI WILL HOST THE SENIOR WORLD CHAMPS: TURKEY 2019.

After several discussions about the uncertain situation in Sort (Spain) due to force majeure, the Executive board, bearing in mind the positive reaction that the Turkish organizing Committee is creating by building a withewater stadium and by hosting international teams for free of charge, voted to convert the Tunceli World Cup into the World Rafting Championship of 2019 thanks to the strong support of the WRF Vice-President Yardimci.

Teams from all over the world will paddle from 8th to 13th June in the rugged heart of Eastern Anatolia: the 3rd level river Munzur will be in flood, offering not only an amazing natural scenario that is now covered in snow but also a new semi-artificial course for RX and slalom that will be on 11th and 12th June, after the traditional downriver on 10th, the day after the opening ceremony.

"We are sure that the Turkish Federation and the Local Organising Committee, thanks to the strong support by the Local Authorities, will host an excellent event that will reveal the successful collaboration between WRF and Turkish Federation that since the beginning of the year is already working hard in every Rafting field from the training of its athletes, who took gold in many categories in the last years Championships, to the organization, the formation of

professional technicians with workshops for guides and coaches, applying the WRF Training Programme, and the building of facilities that will host rafters from all over the world, as happened the last year in Dalaman for the international test competition" said the WRF President Danilo Barmaz.

"We are putting lots of effort, dedication and planning into this event so we can welcome you all with warmth and affection to beautiful Tunceli and deliver a well organized event in the middle of nature." With these words the Turkish Federation President and WRF Vice-President Fikret Yardimci warmly and proudly invites all the Nations to partecipate and discover the city, where the event manager Murat Ali Alaç will guarantee a big and unique event.

Turkish Rafting Federation and World Rafting Federation are glad to announce that Turkish Airlines has been appointed as official partner of WRF Senior World Championship 2019 that will be held in Tunceli from 8th to 13th June.

The event is a great opportunity to show the results of the first year of WRF: an

important meeting for the Federations Board, the first international experience for new members and a big race that will see estabilished teams from all over

the world compete to conquer the title of World Champs in this historical period for Rafting.
The accomodation is free: room and board will be offered by Turkish Federation and discounts on Turkish Airlines flights for National Teams are now available.

The first WRF Pan-American will be held in the Rio Fuy (Chile) in November 2020, whereas the 2022 edition will be organised in Brazil in Santa Catarina in November.

Brasil Rafting Association has agreed to step aside for two years in its pursuit of staging the WRF Pan-American Championships, the Pan- America’s largest rafting event, handing Chilean Rafting Federation the 2020 Champs.

On Monday, the President of Brasil Rafting Association, Mr Willian Thomaz, and the President of the Chilean Rafting Federation, Mr Cristian Huenchuleo, announced it had reached an agreement with the WRF to host the coming WRF Pan-Americans.

Brasil and Chile were the official bidders for 2020. Earlier this month, the WRF decided to hold an unprecedented double vote for the first and second Pan-Americans to ensure two strong hosts at a

time when few other countries were prepared to take on the cost of staging the event.

The agreement will need to be ratified by WRF Executive Board members at the first working meeting, but that session is expected provide the necessary rubber stamp.

Both the Federations delegations expressed their excitement at the decision to award their cities the Pan-American Championships.

“In the coming year we will prepare the event with all our energy” Mr Cristian Huenchuleo, President of the Chilean Rafting Federation, said.

“It is hard to imagine something better. Ensuring the stability of the Pan-American Championships for the athletes of the continent for the next 4 years is something amazing,” Mr Massimo Desiati, WRF Executive Board member said.

“We are ready to collaborate with Mr Huenchuleo and the Chilean Rafting Federation for the success of the first WRF Pan-Americans” said Ms Rebeca Fernandes, Vice-President of the Brasil Rafting Association, “this is a win-win-win situation for Brasil, Chile and the entire rafting

sport movement”.

"These are two great rivers from two great countries with a great rafting history” said WRF President, Mr Danilo Barmaz, "both cities are very enthusiastic about the Champs and are promoting the WRF spirit in a fantastic way."

"I have good news" says Benedetto Del Zoppo, Sport Department Responsible of the Italian Rafting Federation (FIRAFT): the Italian Paralympic Committee (C.I.P.) recognized Rafting as an official sport by means of a Memorandum of Understanding and the next months the ParaRafting datas will be straight observed and analized by CIP. It is a historical moment, an event that will benefit the entire Italian Federation and represents an example for the other countries. Indeed the Paralympic field is a driving force for Sport in general, from the commercial team building to a new opportunity for other Para-athletes who are looking for adrenaline, fun and healty competition.

"Italy is selecting national teams through regular meetings for the the First World ParaRafting Championships ever, that will be organized in Kiev from 4th to 7th October 2019 by the Ukranian Rafting Federation and WRF" said Max Manfredi, Italian Member of the WRF Para-Rafting Commission.

National Rafting Championship of Nepal is over: on 19th, 20th and 21st

February 2019 Nepal Rafting & Canoeing Association (NRCA) organized a big

On 12th May 2019 France will hold the first National Championship of Rafting: L'Argentière-La Bessée will host professional athletes and beginner rafters (who will be guided by a stag trainer) who will compete in the middle of the Alps in the southeastern France for the first time in the history of French Rafting, in order to win the National title and to represent their country in the international competitions of WRF.

Associated with the sports event "A popular Trail" organized the day before

May 11, the event organized on the River Durance by Fédération Francaise

de Canoe Kayak (FFCK) will allow future participants to live a beautiful sports

weekend in a dream mountain scenery, taking part to the historical moment of

the Rafting World and of every National Federation and athlete who accepted