World Rafting Federation signs a new membership with The Association For International Sport for All.

The origins of TAFISA date back to the 1960s, with the semi regular gathering of international but individual personalities and leaders interested and working in the field of Sport for All, under the title 'Trim and Fitness'. At the time, Sport for All was a little known concept.

Nowadays TAFISA has over 360 members from more than 170 countries on all continents and “We are happy to become one of them." declared WRF President Barmaz. "We aim to achieve an active world, promoting sport for all, and that’s what TAFISA does everyday around the world.”

In 1991, TAFISA (then the Trim And Fitness International Sport for All Association), was officially formed in Bordeaux, France and its statutes registered with the law courts of Frankfurt, Germany.

In 2005, TAFISA became professional with the opening of its office, also in Frankfurt, Germany. Since then, TAFISA’s professional staff has grown to include those in the Frankfurt headquarters, those working in the office of the President, and international consultants.

In 2009, TAFISA officially changed its name to ‘The Association For International Sport for All’ to more accurately describe its activities and its position as the leading international Sport for All association.

TAFISA initiative: the World Walking Day

TAFISA‘s primary focus is on:

Sport reminds us the simple and fundamental values that nowadays are easy to forget in the everyday life; it is a transversal engine of society from the neighbourhood we live in to the global level, that’s why we think that through sport for all we can constantly build a better world.

The seventh edition of the European Week of Sport is taking place from 23rd-30th September 2021. This year's theme highlights the power of physical activity to bring joy, build resilience and connect generations.

For six years, the European Week of Sport has helped tackle the inactivity crisis by encouraging Europeans to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle.

Launched in 2015 the European Week of Sport was created in response to the worsening inactivity crisis. Despite sport and physical activity substantially contributing to the well-being of European citizens, the level of physical activity is currently stagnating and even declining in some countries.

EWoS launched by the European Commission

This is why the European Week of Sport exists - to bring awareness of how important an active lifestyle is for everyone. The Week is designed to give people across the world a springboard into being active, during the whole year.

And year after year the key actors of the EWoS, such as National Coordinating Bodies, Partners and Ambassadors, raise awareness about the importance of physical activity and the resumption of sports activities, whether indoor or outdoor, for the wellbeing of individuals and communities. Over 71 million people across 42 countries and regions have joined in the Week’s activities over the years.

Sport is not only about the body

While the physical and mental benefits of sport and physical activity need no introduction, our core themes for this year’s campaign do deserve one. “Joy”, “resilience” and “intergenerational” will bring EWoS to life through inspirational and real-life stories.

Sport is undeniably a source of joy for both individuals and communities and joyful exercise is, in turn, a motivator for physical activity. Sport can bring joy in many ways, and not always by making us physically stronger.

Resilience is to be celebrated and maintained via sports

Physical activity is proven to build resilience for all on a daily basis and through challenging times. If there’s anything that the past months have taught us, it’s that, even in the toughest of circumstances, it is possible to #BeActive. Along with an uptake in home workouts, there has been a surge of interest in sports such as running and cycling, the only sports available during lockdowns in many countries. As we move towards the easing of restrictions and the reopening of society, it’s now time, more than ever, to become and remain active.

In addition to changing modes of physical activity, COVID-19 has increased awareness around the importance of communities. As we gradually move towards a post-COVID era, it will be essential to focus on rebuilding communities. Sport can play a big role here, as it has the power to bring us together and bridge the generational gap between young and old.

Rafting as a team sport, that requires essential cooperation, has the potential to be recognised at the international Olympic level.

The dynamic of our sport embodies fundamental values, that the river remind us in every moment we paddle in it.

We interviewed the IOC Member and President of the Italian Olympic Committee Mr Giovanni Malagò, starting from the definition of Good Governance that the Presidents Ferriani, Perurena and Ricci Bitti described in the previous interviews. The different viewpoints emphasised a common background that we totally approve.

Mr Giovanni Malagò with Mr Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee

President Malagò, what is you definition of Good Governance?

Sport has a universal value and its recognised importance at every level needs an increasingly managerial approach, in line with the growing needs of the practitioners and the ones who indirectly benefit from it. preparation, targeted skills and professionalism are needed, to follow the process properly, offering management quality, accordance and transparency.

The goal is to assure standards worthy of the stakeholders’ legitimate expectations.

The ASOIF guided by my friend Francesco Ricci Bitti promoted a path in the right direction in this regard, covering a fundamental point of reference for the sports organisations.

One of the innovations introduced with the WRF foundation is the mix category, with two women and two men literally on the same boat. The new dynamic requires balance between strength and technique and improves the awareness of the gender peculiarities with continuous exchange and feedback.

As we can see from Your CONI Vice-Presidents, You support the recognition of the women presence in the sports world as an added value. What is the future of women empowerment and gender equality at the international sport level in Your opinion, especially in light of the new Olympic Agenda?

I am very proud of the current feedback from the sport movement, not only from the IOC and the Olympic movement that are pointing the way forward and demonstrating their commitment concretely through several new and initiatives introduced in the five circle's technical programme.

CONI has been working in this direction for years, with concrete actions: in 2018 we decided to put in place the gender representation of 30% in the Federal Councils, the election of 4 out of 13 members of different gender, and 10 out of 28 in the National Council of the Olympic Committee. has been established last year. 

I think that the work of the President Barmaz and the WRF is moving in this direction, that is a source of pride and deserves the total sharing.

I can see a growing general awareness and new points of reference, together towards a winning future, in the sport but firstly in the civil interest.

IOC President Mr Thomas Bach

The Para Rafting discipline at the international competitions aims to improve the inclusion through the power of sport: WRF decided to do not differentiate the river sections and athletes and para athletes paddled in the same rapids at the World Championship one month ago.

President, as a IOC Member, do you think that this type of competition with inclusive dynamics can grow in the future, with the recognition of the fair value?

We see an increasingly inclusive scenario, that shows the real dimension of the sport value in its authentic meaning.

There is great great focus and consideration of themes that promote integration and the olympic world is proving it: the 2020 Agenda opened a path to a future without foreclosures, that we have to chase with innovative ideas. There are a lot of chances to be seized for the sport interest, that knows no barriers by definition: it breaks them with the power of example.

We are confident that the collaboration between small and big federations can create positive synergies in both the directions: how do you see our moment in the coming years?

The path you are following is founded on a fruitful ground, made of glad intuitions thanks to the managerial guide of President Barmaz, who I appreciate for his ability to read the situations about the development of the rafting reality in a decisive way. I am sure that the passion and sense of belonging that sustain his action represent the certain of a future as protagonists. 

"The mega rafting event organized by Himachal Tourism and World Rafting Federation (WRF) ‘All India River Rafting Marathon’ concluded at Nadaun in Himachal Pradesh in India on the rushing waters of river Beas near here on October 08. Davashweta Banik Deputy Commissioner Hamirpur awarded the prizes to the winners in the valedictory function organized on the banks of river Beas. As many as 43 teams in various categories participated in the rafting marathon including 10 women, 16 mixed and 17 men teams.

Devashweta Banik Deputy Commissioner Hamirpur conferred prizes to the winners

Speaking on the occasion Devashweta Banik DC said that the first attempt to organize a rafting event was a great success. She said that the administration would conduct more rafting and other adventure events here near future. She said that local participation in the event would encourage youth towards rafting. The event had also marked Nadaun town on the international rafting map and would encourage tourism in the region, she added.

Pertinent to mention that the district administration had ensured to provide every possible facility to the rafters and organizing committee while HPTDC took care of transportation, lodging and boarding of the players. The HPTDC provided traditional Himachali Cuisine to players who had come from across the country.

 BSF Team: winner of the female category

Priti Jindal President of Ethics Commission of World Rafting Federation present here said that river Beas offers excellent water body for rafting marathons. She said that the place was scenic and people were supportive here.  It was great experience to be part of this event as players displayed exemplary discipline during the event, she added

Shaukat Sikand President of Rafting Foundation of India said the participation in the event was encouraging. He said that he would like to be part of more rafting events in  Himachal Pradesh.

Winners Men: Indian Army Alfa Team

In men category Indian Army (Alfa) won the gold medal while Indian Army (Charlie) won Silver medal and Indian Army (Bravo) won Bronze medal.  In women category BSF won Gold medal while ITBP women Bravo Silver and ITBP alfa won Bronze medal. In mixed category ITBP Charlie grabbed gold, BSF Bravo won silver and ITBP Bravo won Bronze medal.

The team contingents that participated in the event included Indian Army, Border Security Force, Indian Air Force, Ultimate Survival Rafters, Karnatka, Hydrabad, JAL, Abimaas and Pong Dam. Significantly, Indian Army and ITBP fielded four and three teams respectively in one event and that turned a competition amongst defense team’s only."

“Fair play is a complex concept that comprises and embodies a number of fundamental values that are not only integral to sport but relevant in everyday life.

Fair competition, respect, friendship, team spirit, equality, sport without doping, respect for written and unwritten rules such as integrity, solidarity, tolerance, care, excellence and joy, are the building blocks of fair play that can be experienced and learnt both on and off the field."

International Committee for Fair Play (CIFP) 

September 7th is the World Fair Play Day: it is a sports initiative designed to promote fair play and Ethical Values in sport. On this day in 1963 the founding members of what was to become the International Committee for Fair Play (CIFP), met for the first time on the initiative of the French Tennis Champion Jean Borotra.

This day is an opportunity to highlight the sport principles that inspire individuals and peaceful societies and celebrate values that the true sport reminds us everyday.

Para Rafting teams competing at the World Rafting Championship, July 2021

Fair play is not only about athletes: the power of example is transversal in society, that is why we need to highlight and empower the values it embodies. Coaches, trainers, referees, parents, friends, supporters and practitioners belong to the sport world and are an integral part that can promote fair play by worldwide projects and small simple gestures, in sport, society and life itself.

Fair play on the field develop better individuals also off the field: communities learn respect, integrity, solidarity, tolerance, inclusion, fraternity, sharing, exchange, as well as self-control and self-development. the sport impact on concepts and issues are wider than sport including integrity, equal opportunities, social inclusion and disability, race and gender equality.

RX discipline: Women, Men and Mix teams competing

"WRF is doing its best to promote all these values and we think that fair play include all of them. In our sport we are all in the same boat and we will paddle forward following the fair play line." WRF President Danilo Barmaz declared.

“Sport is one of the best metaphors in life: it means experience that constantly improves and tests our behavior; fair play is a concrete attitude that we manifest in action, not in theory.”

One month after the World Rafting Championship 2021 in France, the members of the WRF Executive Board and Commissions started the first meetings with the eyes on the next 4 years.

The WRF 2021/2024 Ordinary Plenary Assembly held in L'Argentière-la-Bessée confirmed Barmaz Danilo (Italy) President for the second term, supported by the renewed Executive Board composed by Ago Blerina (Albania), Purjakov Boris (Serbia), Grigoriev Oleg (Russia) and Yardımcı Fikret  (Turkey), the  Representative elected by the Technicians’ Commission Ghaziasgar Seyed Hadi (Iran) and the Representative elected by the Athletes' Commission Martinez Martin (Argentina). 

Carlier Bruno (France), Larrea Fermin Perez (Spain), Tomasini Marco (Malta), Buzzo Navarro Alejandro Daniel (Venezuela), Fernandes Rebeca (Brasil), Gautam Sudip (Nepal), Singh Sikand Shaukat Pal (India) and Takrouni Mohsen (Tunisia), together with the Executive Board Members, will compose the WRF Board of Directors.

WRF Board of Directors

“I would like to thank you for the trust you have placed in me to lead the WRF for this new four-year period. In these first three years we have done a lot but we still have to do a lot; we have created and we are creating a great team completing and strengthening our various committees to ensure that they are increasingly operational and effective.

One month ago the World Championship was concluded in France and, despite the enormous difficulties caused by the pandemic, we proved to be strong and resolute, bringing the event to an end with an excellent media success and this is a great good for our sport in this difficult period the challenged the organisation and especially the athletes every day.

What I can promise you is a constant commitment to our cause by creating a cohesive team where everyone is and feels a fundamental part of this movement.

The great family of the WRF can and must aspire to great results and this can only happen with the help of all in particular of the National Federations, the real engine of our project”

With these words Mr Danilo Barmaz, flanked by the WRF General Secretary Matteo Benciolini, inaugurated the second term of his Presidency and opened the WRF Ordinary Plenary Assembly after the World Rafting Championship, where he welcomed the delegates from the National Federations. 

Danilo Barmaz, WRF President

The Congress held in France has been an important meeting that gave a positive feedback of the last three years. The RX discipline, the Para-Rafting and Mix teams, that WRF introduced as new format 3 years ago, are exponentially growing and showing the potential of our amazing sport: this is a new beginning and the great results we achieved in the recent years are now a new, solid starting point.

RX discipline, World Rafting Championship 2021

Bearing in mind the values that our athletes keep reminding us, WRF is totally committed in the further development of the rafting sport, consolidating and improving its internal structure in both the agonistic and commercial fields, and at the same time working for the recognition by International Sport Organisations: the Olympics are a concrete dream.

WRF 2021/2024 Ordinary Plenary Assembly

An amazing water level on Rio Fonce hosted the National Championship of Colombia.

The participation was excellent and river lovers from all the departments where rafting is practised such as Huila, Caquetá, Meta, Antioquia, Cundinamarca joined the three days event in the Valle de San Josè, Santander.

19 teams participated and competed in the three rafting disciplines: Downriver, Slalom and RX.

Rio Fonce, Valle de San José, Santander

The male cathegory was dominated by the team San Jil who got three first places and were crowned National Champion out of 15 teams.

With 42’47”61 they won the Downriver one minute ahead of team Tobia 42’43”31. Bronze to Team Rio Fonce Rafting with 44’33”02. 

The Slalom course was challenging and the best time had a 10 seconds penalties (2 touches): 2’23” in the second manche for team San Jil. 3 penalties for Team Tobia that stopped the chronometer on 2’21”, that officially went to 2’36”. Third step of the podium for Tierra Adventur 2’52” (with 3 touches).

Last but not least, the RX gave the final points with a crucial knock out. Final B gave the bronze to Tierra Adventur who crossed the finish line ahead of Team Rio Fonce Rafting. Silver to Team Tobia and the final gold to team San Jil, who scored 300 points in total and got the overall gold.

Overall male silver to Team Tobia with 270 points and overall bronze to Tierra Adventure with 230 points.

In the female category the National title goes to team Remando por la Paz, followed by the silver of Rio Fonce Rafting.

Mix category gave the second place to Camine mano team and the gold to Tobia mixto.

The WRF President Danilo Barmaz took part in the event: "It is amazing to see all these athletes paddling together with passion, especially after two difficult years of pandemic. It has been a honor to be welcommed here and see who is the real engine of our movement, all around the world".

World Rafting Federation and Global eSports Federation joined forces signing a membership last month.

The GEF prioritizes the development of an inclusive, safe, healthy and sustainable Esports ecosystem with a particular focus on responsible gaming, holistic wellness, fair play, education and career pathways for players and athletes.

Nowadays technology is an integral part of everyday life and the number of eSport athletes is increasing. 

However, despite the high level and intensity of the eSport trainings and competitions, almost half of the eSport athletes do not meet the recommended volume of physical activity, that is fundamental and necessary to safeguard good health and is tremendously important, not only to set appropriate precondition for a long career in eSports but also to preserve a stable psychophysical conditions in general.

In this regard, WRF shares the GEF mission to cultivate a balance between sport, esports and technology, developing a connection between the communities: different disciplines at the same time may express and teach, through different dynamics, the same sport values.

The aim is to guide people into a more active and social lifestyle: we think that sports may serve for the prevention of psychophysical complaints. Inactivity over a prolonged time might cause severe health incidents: being physical active is the key.

As a team sport rafting improves the social inclusion and reduces mental stress and communication barriers, since every person is an integral part of the team, paddling in the river the same direction. The same values can be learned in different ways and several abilities, such as focus or teamwork, can be trained from different points of view, reinforcing a 360 degrees vision.

Global Esports Federation already signed a membership with Peace and Sport to foster education development and enhanced social cohesion: with the connection of different viewpoints we can discover cross-sections values and connections. 

WRF President Danilo Barmaz declared “nowadays technology is an integral part of our lives and we should remember its potential: we have new and different ways to build a connected world.”

After a challenging and intense week of races, the award ceremony on the last day crowned the World Rafting Champions of the Women, Mix and Para Rafting categories.

 Italy 2, Women overall Champions

With 292 points, scored with two golds in RX and Slalom and a silver in the Downriver, Italy 2 is the overall Champion of the Women category: Christa Gruber, Francesca Leonardi, Miriam Waldboth and Martina Bonomi.

Second overall place to Letizia Lauri, Elodie Lumignon, Gaia Mascarello and Carlotta Scalvino of Italy 1 Women team, with 278 points.

Third overall place to Amélie Latouche, Angèle Murzeau, Louise Grigny, Marleen Koninckx and Marie Tessier of France 1, with 219 points.

Italy 1, Para Rafting overall Champions

In the Para Rafting category, that for the first time competed in the same rapids of the other categories, Italy 1 took the overall gold.

Marco Montagna, Riccardo Novella, Carlo Benciolini and Nicola Speri scored 290 points, with a first place in RX and Downriver and a second place in Slalom.

Second overall place to Abel Aber, Latimer Latimer, Hugo Latimer and Benjamin Pillerault of France 1, with 280 points.

Third overall place to Massimo Giandinoto, Rosario Sperandini, Damiano Casazza and Rinaldo Veneroni of Italy 2, with 240 points.

 France 1, Mix overall Champions

Last but not least the Mix category crowned the hosts Marion Delorme, Coralie Yebenes, Cyril Audoit and Kevin Gix the overall Champions with 258 points. France 1 got the gold medal in the Slalom, the silver medal in the RX and got a ninth place in the Downriver.

Second overall place to Kiki Roeling, Benita Gober, Xandar van Os, Roel Bakker and Mark de Wit, the RX winners of Netherlands, with 248 points.

Third overall place to Sara Amonini, Valentina Volo, Nicholas Gheno and Mattia Felini of Italy 1, with 244 points.

The world Champions have been awarded by the WRF President Danilo Barmaz, the FFCK President Jean Zoungrana and the FFCK Technical Director Gianni Cappai, and raised the White Card of Peace and Sport.

 The White Card, symbol of peace, raised on the podium at the World Rafting Champs

Everyone can contribute to «Live Together» and «Peacemakers Project»: