By Sean Clarke
Photos: International Rafting Federation
In November last year the International Rafting Federation (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.

Celebrating rafting world championships for the 18th time

Only six short months later, we head now to the Tully River, in Northern Queensland, Australia for the 18th instalment. With 51 teams from 18 nations as geographically spaced as you can possibly be, this competition is asking teams to step up their skill level as they take on the demanding white water of the River Tully.

International teams can expect jaw dropping scenery and warm welcomes from the peoples and environs of the Tully Gorge National Park. Of particular interest will be the welcome and story tellings from the Jirrbal and Gulngay Rainforest Aboriginal people. Teams will be treated to performances and a history of The Water Story which describes how the animals searched the lands for water and in challenging Bangarra, were able to start the waters flowing in the River Tully.

This is the first time that a world level rafting event is being staged in Australia. However, Australia and in particular, far north Queensland is no stranger to rafting with many large scale commercial operations in the Cassowary Coast and surrounds. Australia are looking for a home turf advantage fielding teams from each of the eight age and gender categories:

  • Youth (Under-19) men and women
  • Junior (Under-23) men and women
  • Masters (Over-40) men and women
  • Open (over-15) men and women

This year teams will race in the R6 format – six athletes in the raft. Last year was in the R4 format so some teams will have brought in their reserves to fill the team complement, whilst others will be trialling newer members to the team. This means the results of last year’s IRF World Rafting Championship won’t necessarily indicate which teams will walk away with the medals this time round.

The competition kicks off this year on the 15th of May with teams from all age categories racing up their times in the first discipline. Raft racing takes place over several days and at the continental and world level is held in four disciplines:

  • Sprint: fastest from top to bottom
  • Head-to-Head: teams battle it out 1:1 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.

In a very recent change to the race rules, slalom and downriver are now worth equal points (previously 30% and 40% respectively). On a demanding river such as the Tully, this could result in some unexpected overall results from R6 teams who would normally be reliant on their Downriver scores to top up their overall standings.

Teams this year are also all vying on the big ticket winner for top teams. Only the top teams will receive all-expenses paid invites to the IRF Invitational Futaleufu World Cup in Chile, in March next year. This added incentive to be crowned the overall IRF World Rafting Champions this year will no doubt bear down on teams looking to return to the pristine waters of the Futaleufu, on which the IRF has not held a competition since the Camel White Water Challenge back in 2000.

Next year, the IRF World Rafting Championship reverts back to the R4 format and moves to Ziyuan, China on the Wu Pai River. The pre-worlds event for this takes place in July this year where teams will get to practice on the very rapids that their decisions will make or break their results next year.

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.