By Sean Clarke

Photos:
International Rafting Federation

A little over 21 years ago the International Rafting Federation (IRF) was a concept to unite rafters of the world under a single banner with a single set of guiding principles from which to build safe, robust, resilient and reliable commercial rafting ventures and raft racing protocols. Today the organisation is not just a set of guiding principles and rules but a worldwide community of rafters engaged in commercial activities, river and nature conservation, raft guide training, education and qualifications and the high speed thrills and spills of raft racing.

21 years young and still dominating the international rafting scene

Most recently in November this year, the IRF held their World Rafting Championship on the Rio Aluminé and Rio Ruca Churoy in Neuquén, Argentina. This was the 17th instalment of this highly successful international event. This year proved a beneficial home nation advantage in the medal tally for the Junior and Youth teams and hard fought in the Open and Masters with a few results out of the blue.

Unlike many other paddlesport races, raft racing takes place over several days and in multiple disciplines, typically on different sections or even rivers. This year proved no different with a combination of skills required. Raft racing alternates bi-annually in four person (R4) and six person (R6) meaning different skill sets and styles of white water. Typically, R4 is usually for more close knit rivers with twists and turns requiring fast thinking and a lot of on-the-go tactics whereas R6 is usually held on wider and larger volume rivers requiring more power, endurance and tactics involving back up plans.

Raft racing at the continental and world level is held in four disciplines:

• Sprint: fastest from top to bottom.
• Head-to-Head: teams battle it out one to one over the sprint course but this time with buoy navigation mandatory – full contact is permitted in a knockout competition where the winner is decided not necessarily on who is fastest but who plays their tactics the best. If you’ve seen BoaterX – increase the contact and obstacles and you’ll understand head-to-head.
• Slalom: very similar to canoe/kayak slalom with the best of two runs counting but more complex with a larger craft and more heads to pass through the gates in the correct direction.
• Downriver (Endurance): a gruelling test of working together as a team – race rules dictate this should be more than 20 minutes but less than 60 minutes.

This year was R4, on the Rio Aluminé and Rio Ruca Churoy. The Rio Aluminé caught some teams unaware as the Endurance was a long, demanding and unrelenting river – it started with a calm and welcoming flat where Lake Aluminé empties and forms the headwaters of the Rio Aluminé, before quickly dropping and starting the never ending class II/III interspersed with class III+/IV rapids. No rest for the blessed, let alone the wicked.

The forecast storms didn’t materialise and racing commenced in the relatively long sprint. The snow melt waters were cold but the sun shone down on teams with world class speed, strength and teamwork on display. The Junior (Under 19) and Youth (Under 23) divisions were dominated by the Argentine, Czech and Russian teams. Relative newcomers to the international stage, Costa Rica U19 Men, caused an upset to the expected results with their millisecond advantage winning them a silver medal ahead of Russia. Big favourites and no stranger to the IRF Euro Cup and World Cup series this year, Rafting Team Gimpex from Slovenia (U23 Men), proved they deserved the gold.

Head-to-Head

Head-to-Head followed the recently adopted format, which includes the mandatory negotiation of buoys. In Argentina there were four buoys – two left and two right. Teams had to negotiate one left and one right. The placement of the buoys meant that buoys two and three provided fierce fighting and amazing photo and video opportunities. In the Open Men, Chile threw out the odds by beating top favourites and usual podium medalists Brazil in the early rounds. It was a nail biting race with many bums off seats both in the raft and for everyone lining the banks. In keeping with their recent winning streak Team Palm (GB1 Open Women) took the gold in a tough competition that saw them only just nip over the finish line in a nail biting final against Japan.

During training for slalom, a few teams commented that the river was too simple. Little did they realise the lengths the course designers would go to. It proved a very challenging course that no teams navigated without penalties. Gates one and two appeared innocuous but left only top teams being able to navigate gate three quickly and cleanly. Gate three had teams river left requiring a strong ferry above the big drop into gate four on river right. Teams then had to high cross using the big feature to get to gate four. Some made this look simple with their finesse whilst others struggled due to the line from starting at gate three.

The rest of the course may have looked relatively simple but resulted in two flips, several raft jams and a fair amount of cursing at simple mistakes.

Downriver

Downriver commenced on a cold and grey start with clouds threatening ominously. The cooler start ended up assisting most teams as it was a long and gruelling downriver that really didn’t let up along the way. A sailing start where teams start in groups and race across the start line meant a lot of jostling and permitted ramming and blocking – all made for edge of the seat watching the start line.

The finish line also provided for close calls as most of the groups stuck together for the length of the river with the final results being determined by teams pushing through the pain to sprint across the finish line.

tied overall results

Fighting all the way to the finish line meant despite winning the Downriver and tying in the overall points, Norway Masters Women lost out to USA Masters women as tied overall results refer back to Slalom scores in order to break the tie. It was hard luck but a well fought competition with all Masters Women teams proving that age means nothing when it comes to determination, camaraderie and teamwork.

To end the event, the organisers left nothing to chance with a giant food fest followed by DJs, drummers, dancing and partying until the sun started to show the next morning. A great way to end an amazing event with expectations set high for next year’s IRF World Rafting Championship on the Tully River, Queensland, Australia.

Overall results from the event can be found here.
http://www.internationalrafting.com/events-2/events/wrc-2018-argentina/#2

International Rafting Federation

The International Rafting Federation is recognised as the world governing body for rafting sport. Every year, the IRF organises the World Rafting Championship (WRC), a top tier competition between the most recognised and celebrated rafting athletes in the world who gather together to represent their respective nations.  The IRF also organises or oversees a tremendous variety of continental, regional and local rafting competitions and championships. IRF competitions closely follow the Olympic model and IOC recommendations, while remaining true to the traditions and history of our sport that has made it so popular.

The IRF is about bringing the world of rafting together so we can all benefit from our interaction.  This interaction may involve anything from competing at the world championship level to being part of a local grassroots event in your home town. Or it could be that once-in-a-lifetime experience of going on a commercial raft trip locally or around the world, whether it be for one hour or 16 days.

The IRF is in the forefront of raft safety worldwide. Recognised as the world body, which oversees the certification and training of professional river rafting guides, the IRF works closely with national organisations and government bodies by offering the only rafting guide certification program accepted worldwide.

The IRF is deeply committed to protecting the rivers of our planet from senseless destruction, and to preserve them for future generations. We recognize that mankind are not the owners of our planet, but instead are its caretakers and stewards.

Find out more here: http://www.internationalrafting.com
Social media: @internationalrafting (Facebook, Instagram)
IRF World Rafting Championship: @IRFWorldRaftingChamps (Facebook)

About the author: Sean Clarke is the Head of Media & Marketing for the International Rafting Federation, and Chair of British Rafting, the rafting discipline committee of British Canoeing.