News WRF

Albanian Ministry and Rafting guides: the Albanian Federation steps forward into the Training Programme

The best known destinations for fluvial tourism and the starting point for the debate about river security in Albania are the scenic Osumi and Vjoses coasts.

On 28th December 2018 the Albanian Rafting Federation gave the first input to create a National programme for the official qualification of river guides on the whole Albanian territory, rich in natural beauty from the mountains to the Ionian and Adriatic Seas.

After almost two years of joint effort the Minister of Tourism and Environment Blendi Klosi and the Minister of the Economy and Finance Arben Ahmetaj finally agree on how to proceed with the Albanian Rafting Federation. The certification to work with tourists, leading them to discover the fluvial activities of rafting, kayak, canoe, hydro speed and canyoning, will be released by the Minister of Tourism and Environment after attending a 320 credits course held by the National Rafting Federation. After the training course, a theoretical knowledge examination and a practical test will regularly prove the validation of the guide’s skills and guarantee a standard safety to the river tourists ensured by the cooperation with organs of national security.

 

 

Beyond the important local achievement, it also represents a step forward from an international perspective, joining the aim of the WRF Training Programme to implement a worldwide system, sharing experiences and knowledges to improve the international mobility in the river world.

WRF welcomes a new country from Asia

 

The Canoe-Kayak Federation of the Republic of Tajikistan has been officially recognised as Full Member by the World Rafting Federation (WRF) Executive Board, which convened in Rome for a board meeting on 15 June.

“According to the World Rafting Federation's programme to develop Rafting around the world and help new and interested countries in the sport developement, I am working to make it happen in Asia. I am glad that Tajikistan joined our international movement as a new member last week.
We have always been ready to cooperate with all the new and developing countries and after the Corona pandemic we are more motivated than ever to resume the organization of our worldwide projects, not only the competitions that we are waiting all together but also training camps for young athletes and courses for new guides and coaches” said WRF Executive Board and Responsible for the development of the Asian Council, Mr. Hadi Ghazi Asgar.

Coronavirus: current measures extended due to continuing state of emergency

The World Rafting Federation announces that the Executive Board has decided to extend the emergency measures until 31st August 2020.

WRF is working on potential solutions to save the events previously scheduled for summer 2020, positioning part of the calendar to autumn 2020 whenever possible, especially focusing on the South American beginning summer, or 2021 season.
The enforced lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemia suddenly changed everyone’s programmes.

Athletes were preparing the agonistic season especially in Europe, focusing on the first competitions of the international calendar: Croatia, previously scheduled in March was planned to be the opening race, directly followed by the Gran Prix in Bulgaria, and several National teams were at the end of their winter training, ready to start outdoor.

Meanwhile many river guides will experience winter for the first time after a few years spent travelling and working in other continents, chasing whitewater during an endless summer. 

“I hope every member of this worldwide rafting family is healthy, coping with quarantine with a productive and optimistic attitude and accepting the current situation as a challenge, bearing in mind that even in difficult periods there are projects to pursue, personal growth to focus on, relationships to maintain, and new dimensions to discover and appreciate” said WRF Secretery General, Matteo Benciolini.

2020 PAN-AMERICAN MASTERS GAMES POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19

 

After having carefully monitored the current Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak a joint decision by the Organising Committee and the IMGA (International Masters Games Association) has been taken to postpone the 2020 Pan-American Masters Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It has been a very difficult decision, but it is paramount that the event can be held in an environment that is safe and enjoyable to all our participants from the region and worldwide.

Due to the complexity of moving an event of this size a new opening date has not yet been established. We will inform everyone of the new dates as soon as we know when the event will take place. In the meantime, we will close registrations and refund all athletes who have already paid and registered. Please note that no administration fees will be added but certain bank and transfer fees may apply.

The Organising Committee and the IMGA thank Masters Athletes, Co-organisers, Supporters, Sponsors, Supporting Organisations, Media Partners, and all our friends for your immense support towards these games so far, and express our sincere apologies towards the inconvenience caused under these unforeseen circumstances.

via IMGA

WRF statement on Coronavirus

The WRF is receiving regular updates and advice from health experts. As reported by ICF “the virus has already caused severe disruption to sporting events around the world”, however so far canoeing and rafting program has not been impacted (read the ICF statement).

The WRF has no events scheduled in China this year.

The WRF will continue to follow the advice of WHO, as the leading United Nations agency on this topic.  

The WRF encourages all athletes to continue to prepare for the Sport Season and take care of their health and protect others by doing the following:

Wash your hands frequently

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands. 

Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick. 

Practice respiratory hygiene

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections. 

 

On this website (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019) you can find information and guidance from WHO regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019. Please visit this page for daily updates.

 

WRF President Danilo Barmaz has tested positive for coronavirus

Over the last couple of weeks our WRF President Danilo Barmaz developed mild symptoms and tested positive for Coronavirus. His current health is gradually improving and he will spend the next weeks isolated at his place as the authorities recommend.

The World Rafting Federation community wishes him a speedy recovery.

“I warmly thank everyone who gave me support during these days” Mr Barmaz said.

“I want to speak to our athletes: please undertake to respect the provisions of the Health authorities and do not underestimate the situation and the safety regulations, for your own good and those around you. The sun will shine again and we will be back together paddling our rivers. For now we have to stay strong and stay safe".


"I also take this opportunity to wish a fast healing to the ICF President, Josè Perurena”.

Bhotekoshi selected the 2020 Nepal team

Nepal National team has been selected! 

Last November the rapids of Bhotekoshi already saw many rafters paddling during the18th Himalayan Whitewater Challenge. Now, from 20th to 24th February, Nepal Rafting & Canoeing Association set up the 4th National Rafting Championship, concurrently with the 8th National Kayak Slalom Championship, on the Tibetan River. 14 teams competed in the section of the Sukute village, in the Sindhupalchok district, coming from different corners of the country including various clubs, river operator companies and the Nepal Army.

Nepal Kayak Club took the first place in the Downriver that guaranteed a second place overall to the team. With a bronze in the downriver but a gold in the other disciplines Nepal Raft & Kayak Club Fislhing A is the 2020 National Champion and the Nepal flagship for the next international competitions. Third step of the podium taken by Paddle Nepal A team.

We can’t wait to see these rafter from Trishuli river at our races: see you in India at the Asian Championship and in Slovenia for the Worlds!

Important communication on joint decisions concerning the impact of the COVID-19 on 2020 Sport Events

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus), recently declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) a "Pandemic", the quickly growing number of cases, the national actions to contain the virus and increasing restrictions on global travel, the World Rafting Federation, the National Federations (NFs) and the Organising Committees (OCs) have been carefully evaluating the impact of this situation on all stakeholders for the upcoming events.

The health and safety of the athletes and all other participants as well as the general public are the priorities of all parties involved in the organisation of the events and for this reason the World Rafting Federation have taken the following decisions:

 

2020 WRF Euro Cup - Slunj 2020 WRF Grand Prix - Bulgaria International Rafting Events (in Europe and Asia)

 

1.      2020 WRF Euro Cup - Slunj

The WRF Executive Board, the Croatian Canoe Federation and the Kajak kanu klub "Rastocki Mlinari" (Organising Commitee)  have decided to delay the "2020 WRF Euro Cup - Slunj" scheduled for 20-22 March 2020. The event will be rescheduled. 

 

2.      2020 WRF Grand Prix - Bulgaria

The WRF Executive Board, the Bulgarian Rafting Federation (BRF) and the Organising Commitee have decided to cancel the "2020 WRF Grand Prix - Bulgaria" scheduled for 27-30 March 2020.

 

3.      International rafting activities (in Europe and Asia)

 The WRF Executive Board has decided to stop in Europe and Asia any further international rafting activity until 30 April.

 

On this website (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019) you can find information and guidance from WHO regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019. Please visit this page for daily updates.

 

Updated information on the above will be announced by 15 April 2020. All the other events are confirmed.

Any question on WRF Sport Events should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Successful meetings for Rafting development in Armenia

On 17th February the President of the World Rafting Federation Danilo Barmaz met the deputy president of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Grigoryan, in presence of the President of Armenian National Rafting Federation, Mr. Sedrak Zakaryan, the executive director of Armenian National Rafting federation, Mr. Karen Mkrtchyan, and the president of the rafting club "Noy", Mr. Vazgen Khachikyan. In the town of Alaverdi, in the northeastern part of Alaverdi the rafting development opportunities were discussed, including the opening of a new rafting center on the shores of Debed river canyon 1000 meters above sea level, surrounded by high mountains and green forests. The local authorities really appreciated our movement and the mayor of Alaverdi, Mr. Sasun Khechumyan, is considering the foundation of a rafting school there, in the future.
The good river level, surrounded by churches and historical buildings, led Mr Barmaz to a discussion about organising international competitions on Debed. 

In Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, the WRF President, the Armenian Federation President Sedrak Zakaryan and the members of the board Vazgen Khachikyan and Suren Danielyan visited the Armenian University of Physical Culture and Sport, welcomed by the Rector, Mr. David Khitaryan, the Vice-rector, Mr. Gagik Sargsyan, who also represented the Armenian Ski Federation. 

The recently opened “Sport Tourism” speciality of the University started considering the possibility to include our sport, including lectures and seminars, and the opportunity to teach rafting to rescuers, that would be a mutually beneficial offer.
“I am very thankful for the warm hospitality everyone I met in Armenia offered me and I am amazed by the enormous potential of this beautiful country”.

 

Photo courtesy of © SPUTNIK / ARAM NERSESYAN

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