International Rafting Federation

Official world rafting governing body

IRF granted GAISF Observer status

17 December 2019

GAISF Council grants the IRF Observer Status

To our IRF Member organisations, rafting clubs, athletes, associates, officials, coaches, and friends:

I am delighted to announce the momentous and historic news that the International Rafting Federation (IRF) was officially granted Observer Status by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) Council when it convened 27 October 2019. The IRF recently received a certificate from GAISF commemorating this achievement.

Read the official announcement from GAISF here.

GAISF is the umbrella organisation for International Sport Federations. GAISF Observer Status will open opportunities to network with the GAISF family and open important doors for the IRF in the world of international sports. It may also help our national federation members obtain the critical funding they need to support and grow their national organisations. GAISF states that “The GAISF Observer Status aims to assist and accelerate the International Rafting Federation (IRF) efforts to become a GAISF member, in particular by helping to develop the number of National Federations recognized by National Olympic Committees (NOCs) or by the Highest National Sport Authorities (NSAs).”

GAISF Observer Status is a milestone for the IRF and for the sport of rafting. It has been a long road to achieve this goal, and those of us involved in the process want to extend our sincere appreciation for your patience and continued support throughout this journey. With this achievement behind us, the IRF is in an excellent position to quickly and proudly take rafting to even greater heights.

As part of our commitment to rafting sport, the IRF Board of Directors and I are adamant in our desire to share our success with all members of the worldwide rafting family regardless of their current loyalties. It is natural that passionate rafting enthusiasts will have differences of opinions on how to best advance our goals. However, despite these differences, I believe we all share the same core goals, ambitions, and love of rafting. A renewed effort will be made in the coming weeks and months to reach out to those who have held differing views so that we remain united, and all of us may move forward together to benefit from this exciting, positive future for rafting.

From those of us who spearheaded the GAISF Observer Status request process – I want to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the many IRF member NF’s and individuals who stood firmly by us with loyalty and commitment. This support was key for keeping us motivated to complete this task. Your loyalty will not be forgotten as we continue to move forward in the years ahead.