We are river family – meet Las Correntinas

One of the newer formed race teams on the international circuit, Las Correntinas of Chile are a lively, funny group of friends who came together to race and have sparked inspiration in the rafting and paddling communities. This week we meet Las Correntinas, winners of the IRF Rafting Spirit Award in the recent IRF Ziyuan Rafting Festival. Their never ending enthusiasm and group camaraderie have earned them friends across the world.

How did you get started in rafting? We studied at Universidad de las Fronteras in Pucón to be raft guides and safety kayakers at different years. In 2016 we started to train slalom kayaking together to participate in national and international competitions. Then in 2017, we formed the team “Las Correntinas” to . . . → continue reading . . . We are river family – meet Las Correntinas

Raft racing on the Tibetan Plateau, has additional challenges for competitors.

The city of Yushu has just played host to the 2018 IRF Yushu World Rafting Plateau Championship which saw 23 teams from 17 countries from four continents gather together to race with friends old and new in stunning and breathtaking race environments.

At 3,600 metres above sea level, the city of Yushu is well above the altitude of home towns for most competitors. Altitude sickness (hypoxia) can pose problems as your body adjusts. It can take two to three days especially for those who are more used to living at less than 100 metres above sea level. Thankfully the city and event organisers are well prepared for this and recommend a few days prior to the competition to acclimatise. This involves rest, eating, sleeping and if . . . → continue reading . . . Raft racing on the Tibetan Plateau, has additional challenges for competitors.

Safety course Slovenia includes IRF GTE, Rescue 3 Europe and Basic Life Support

This is a great opportunity to do an intensive workshop where you can obtain certifications from 3 different organisations that are recognised worldwide –

WRT – Pro: Whitewater Rescue Technician – Professional, Rescue 3 Europe

IRF GT&E: Guide Training & Education, International Rafting Federation

BLS: Basic Life Support, American Heart Association

Dates: the 31 September to the 7 October 2018, and is being run by the Slovenian Canyoning Federation.

Minimum numbers: The WRT-­Pro and the IRF GT&E minimum number of participants is 4 people and for the (BLS) is minimum 8 people.

Contacts: Miha Mihelič – Rescue 3 Instructor: e-mail: mihaa23@gmail.com. Phone: +38640331195 Fabian Bonanno – IRF Instructor: e-mail: [email protected]. Phone: +38670674008

We are river family – meet Andrew Kellett

Basing himself in the southern nations of the African continent, Andrew Kellett is no stranger to action and adventure on the amazing rivers of the world. Andrew’s enthusiasm for rafting, especially with regard to training, stems from the ultimate goal of being safe on the water before any other outcome. When he first started rafting, there was very little regulation and control on the river. Since then the market has changed and the industry has had to become more professional.

How did you get started in rafting? I started rafting when I was studying my Graphic Design diploma. Guiding was a great way to get in . . . → continue reading . . . We are river family – meet Andrew Kellett

We are river family – meet Fieke Reijntjes

We continue our River Family series, by meeting Fieke Reijntjes, captain of the Great Britain Open Women’s team (current R4 European Champions and defending R4 World Champions) and member of the IRF Athletes’ Committee. In this series we meet members of our River Family – you! We find out how people got involved, what keeps them motivated and why they stick with it.

We asked Fieke how she got involved in rafting: I worked as a raft guide for a dutch company in the French Alps. Pieter Bekkers, the owner of the company started a women’s raft team I was lucky enough to be part of! I paddled my first international competition with the Dutch team in 2007 in Korea. We were overwhelmed by the experience and the quality of . . . → continue reading . . . We are river family – meet Fieke Reijntjes

We are river family – meet Yann Coppen

With an international background and upbringing worthy of a UN Ambassador, Yann Coppen shares his passion for rafting with us. African born with French, Indonesian and Dutch blood, Yann began his journey in the northern part of Japan. After years of travelling and guiding abroad, he discovered the High Atlas Mountains and started to run trips on the most pristine rivers of Morocco. From here he runs his successful company Berber Rafting Adventures.

 

How did you get started in rafting? I was studying Japanese in Tokyo for 5 months and had had enough of city life and decided to move back to nature where I belong. I was born in Ivory Coast and grew up like Mowgli which didn’t make sense to live in the city. I was living in . . . → continue reading . . . We are river family – meet Yann Coppen

IRF GTE course in Georgia takes their rafting to new safety levels

By Mark Hirst

The Georgia project had been on the burner for a while. The sport of Rafting is growing in Georgia. Georgia also recently hosted the IRF Euro Rafting Champs last year. USaid had kindly sponsored and paid for a group of 13 self taught Georgian raft guides to attend a 9 day IRF Guide certification workshop combined with a Rescue 3 Europe Whitewater rescue technician course.

The aim of the course was to work with the company owners and senior guides to help them gain IRF certification. Our main aim was to also introduce some safety standards that all of the guides and companies could adopt and start to implement once the workshop was over.

We had been planning the course since March. Myself . . . → continue reading . . . IRF GTE course in Georgia takes their rafting to new safety levels

We are river family – meet Georgina Preston

Raft guide, raft racer, kayak instructor, environmentalist and river conservationist – there isn’t much that stops Georgina “Georgie” Preston. This is part one of a two part interview as Georgie sets off on a new adventure – we’ll catch up with her on her return. In part one, we find out what motivates her and how we can all get involved.

How long have you been rafting and how did you get into it? I have been guiding for a shocking 18 years now and racing for 12 of those. I started guiding whilst studying at uni to help pay for my course. I was already a kayaker so it made sense to earn a bit of money by messing about on the water!

. . . → continue reading . . . We are river family – meet Georgina Preston