The IRF is excited to announce that the 2018 WRC will be held on the Aluminé and Ruca Choroy Rivers in the Province of Neuquén, Argentina.
The event will be based out of the towns of Aluminé and Villa Pehuenia which are located in Argentina Patagonia and in the “Corridor of lakes” which is a very popular area for tourism due to its unique natural features. Villa Pehuenia is a mountain-styled tourist village that borders two natural lakes, and Aluminé is a bit more traditional being the oldest settlement in the area.
The Aluminé River is born directly out of Aluminé Lake, a natural lake that is fed by snowmelt from several small streams originating in the Andes Mountains. It can be characterised as a river of medium to low volume, with crystal clear water containing many sections of technical and continuous rapids. At optimum flow, which is usually around November, the upper river is rated as a continuous, technical Class 3 with two sections of whitewater that is technical Class 4. It also has easy access and logistics as there is a provincial road right next to river. The Ruca Choroy River, where the slalom takes place, is a low volume but technical course. It is a natural track that’s had some modifications to increase it’s difficulty.
The Government of the Province of Neuquén, together with the Government of Argentina, are fully behind this event and giving their full support to the Argentina Rafting Association (ARAFT) who will be the key organisers.
Key details:
Dates: Oct / November (exact dates to be confirmed closer to time)- Rivers: Aluminé River = Sprint, H2H, Down River (Youth DR = Class 2/3, Open/Masters is Class 3/4) and Ruca Choroy River = Slalom (technical Class 2)
- Nearest towns: Aluminé and Villa Pehuenia.
- Pre-event: will be run in November 2017
- Other events that have run on this river: 2008 – Pan American Championship (more than 7 nations attended). Since 2009, the Rafting Fest Aluminé River, has been held each year in November. This event is an official part of the Argentina Championship of Rafting.
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