Official world rafting governing body
With a heavy heart we share the news of the passing of Vladimir Naděje. The legend of Czech and international judges, to all he was simply known as Uncle. Uncle Vladimir is on the other bank … At 73 years old, Vladimir left us on November 22. A long-time rafting judge, co-author of the first
A very familiar face to the European Raft Race scene, with a paddling career spanning 53 years, Stan Hájek started paddling as a child, later meeting his girlfriend (now wife) whilst paddling in the Czech Republic and East & West Europe. At the time, sport expeditions were the only way to look outside the Iron
Owner/operator of Ultimate Descents in the land of the long white cloud (New Zealand) since 2002, Chair of the New Zealand River Association since 2014 and trip leader since 2000, this week we meet Tim Marshall. No stranger to the raft race circuit nor the IRF Guide Training & Education system, Tim is a senior
As we ready ourselves for our 17th IRF World Rafting Championship, we take a look back at what it took to create this global phenomenon which started 21 years ago and boasts membership from over 50 nations across six continents, runs inclusive worldwide raft race competitions several times each year and can lay claim to
The International Rafting Federation is proud to announce a long term partnership with leading waterproof bag designers Aquapac. As a market leader in the design and production of waterproof bags since forming in 1983, Aquapac have grown and developed with sporting, rescue and recreational water based activities. Recently they made the jump into rafting with a
Current manager at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, team captain for the GB Open Men’s team, avid freestyle kayaker (when he gets the chance) and recent convert to the world of Triathlons, this week we meet Pas Blackwell. Pas started getting heavily into freestyle kayaking after university so moved to Nottingham to be able to
The International Rafting Federation is very sad to hear of the untimely and sudden loss of Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) President, Mr. Patrick Baumann last Friday. The IRF would like to offer all staff, and members of GAISF our deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with Mr. Baumann’s wife, children and family. By
No stranger to racing, guiding or safety training, this week we meet Steve Nomchong. Steve grew up in southern reaches of Australia, experienced rafting at a relatively young age and got hooked. Steve was too young to vote in 1983 when a proposed dam that would have flooded the Franklin River in Tasmania became a
Fate determined Bhupi Singh’s white water career – he was fortunate enough to grow up in the small village ‘Sirasu’ based on the side of India’s holiest river, the mighty Ganges in Northern India. The time was right and since he’s rafted across the globe. This week we meet the globe trotter that is Bhupendra