The only globally recognised raft guiding certification
The IRF Guide Training & Education (GTE) Award was created to provide commercial operators, industry organisations, national rafting federations, government regulators and other interested parties worldwide with a common standard for whitewater guiding professionals. To date, the IRF GTE system is the only globally recognised raft guiding certification.
The IRF is recognised by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the two largest tourism bodies in the world, as the world body responsible for establishing and administering commercial raft guiding standards.
The GTE system is managed by the IRF through the Guide Training & Education (GTE) Committee. The system was first published in 2001 and has been revised several times since then. Significant changes were introduced in 2016/17. Version 6.0 was launched in July 2021 which includes improvements overall to the award system and supporting documents and introduced the new Whitewater Guide Award.
Learn more about raft guiding:
- Rafting Operator Accreditation – who and how to be accredited as a rafting operator
- IRF GTE Certification History and Development
- GTE Certification Requirements, Processes and Fees
- GTE Certificate renewal – how to renew your IRF GTE certificate
- GTE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – two page overview of the system
- GTE Workshops / Assessments – list of authorised guide qualification courses
- Certified Guides / Instructors – list of all current IRF GTE qualified persons
- GTE Instructor Resources – resources, forms & templates for GTE Instructors & Assessors (password protected)
- River Signals – globally recognised river signals
- River Safety articles and videos – further reading on river safety
Recent guide / safety news
Become a GTE Raft Guide Instructor this summer
Do you have what it takes to inspire the next generation of river guides? This is your chance to make an impact, and certify the guides of the future!
Gállegos river this May for GTE Instructor Update / Renewal
IRF Guide Training & Education Instructor Update / Renewal on the Gállegos river in Spain. Hosted by UR Pirineos, and delivered by IRF Vice President (Guide Training & Education) Gáspár Göncz, this workshop is for all current Instructors looking to refresh their skills or certificate. Details: 17 – 19 May 2024 (all dates inclusive) Río Gállego
GTE workshop and assessment in France during March 2024
We are happy to announce an IRF GTE workshop and assessment scheduled to be held on the Dranses River in France from March 18 to 22, 2024. This is a great opportunity for river guides in France and the surrounding regions to obtain an IRF Guide, Trip Leader, Safety Kayak, or Instructor Certification. The workshop
