The IRF’s calendar for raft guide workshops in 2021 is building up pleasingly fast now, and there are some great locations on offer for potential raft guides, trip leaders and instructors to choose from. See the full, and ever growing list, here, or read a quick summary below to peak your interest.

Despite lockdowns in many countries in January and February we’ve already had raft guide workshops run on the Fuy River and another on the Trancura River in Chile, one on the Paiva River in Portugal, Tampaon River in Mexico, and the Sella River in Spain!

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As we move through February the IRF finds itself answering regular queries about our World Rafting Championships 2021 in China – is it happening or not? This is understandable during this time of continual change of plans and the massive fluctuation of the effect of the pandemic on world sporting events.

We would like to let everyone know that we are monitoring all situations, are in continual discussions with the China organisers and looking at all aspects and options.

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Imagine suddenly finding yourself no longer able to go rafting. One day you’re a great adventurer, enjoying the wilds of nature, guiding in stunning locations around the world. And the next, you’re a tetraplegic. That freedom has been whipped away from you in an instant. How would you cope with this?

This is what happened to Jezza Williams, a Kiwi country kid. A born adventurer from humble beginnings with a wilderness playground at his doorstep who quickly graduated to being a world traveller and international outdoor guide.

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Many events over the past year have had to rethink how they operate. The IRF GTE Conference 2021 is no different. Large numbers of events have not been able to operate face to face and many have opted for online formats.

After careful consideration of travel restrictions, pandemic effects, the health and wellbeing of all our Instructors and officials, we have taken the decision to cancel the IRF’s GTE Instructor Conference that was scheduled for May this year in France.

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It’s been a tough period for most rafting operators. With tight budgets, why would anyone consider limiting their operating model to be more sustainable? We asked Chris Wain (owner operator of Unique Adventure Tours Scotland) how he has made sustainable adventures in Scotland possible.

Unique Adventure Tours Scotland is a fledgeling business based in Highland Perthshire offering small private tours throughout Scotland. Providing stunning nature, lively culture, and high-quality adventure activities to show off the best Scotland has to offer.

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A pillar of rafting operators the world over, Rios Tropicales has called time and is passing the baton. From adversity to hope is the message from Rafael Gallo, CEO of Rios Tropicales and IRF Honorary President.

By Rafael Gallo.

For 35 years, Rios Tropicales has led Costa Rica adventure travel and ecotourism. We pioneered whitewater rafting in Costa Rica, advanced sustainability standards, and even saved the Pacuare River from a hydroelectric dam.

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It’s time to get your camera out for our Winter Rafting Photo Competition!

It’s been cold (in the northern hemisphere). It’s been bleak. It’s definitely not a winter like any other. So we’ve partnered with Mustang Survival to bring you our Winter Rafting Photo Competition. The winner of our competition will be rafting away with an awesome Mustang Highwater 60L waterproof gear hauler (valued at $149.99 USD +tax)

Winter Rafting Photo Competition entry requirements:

• Competition entry is open 00:00:01 Friday, 19th February 2021 and closes 23:59:59 Friday, 12th March 2021 (times are UTC)
• Entry is by posting a photo on Facebook or Instagram that includes all the official tags and hashtags
• Each entry must be a photo (not an image or video)
• Entries can be portrait or landscape
• Entries can be colour, greyscale or mono (black & white)
• Entries can be edited for colour, crop etc but not “built” i.e.

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Travel restrictions, local lockdowns, and business closures have made it difficult to renew your GTE certification this last year. We understand how frustrating this can be so we’re trying to make the renewal process quicker and easier for you.

How to renew your GTE certification:

• Provide evidence of at least 10 trips in the last three years at the level of your award.  This can be in the form of a letter from a company you work for, or from your logbook.

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As we find ourselves already at the end of January 2021, we look back at out 2020 year in review. Always to be a famous year for reasons we would rather all forget, there was still much to be celebrated throughout 2020.

It was the strangest of years, none of us could ever have imagined. With so many travel restrictions, limited tour rafting and few raft racing events, there have been practically no opportunities for rafters from across the globe to meet face to face.

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