Marking a milestone in the history of rafting, the International Rafting Federation (IRF) and the World Rafting Federation (WRF) are embarking on a journey toward reunification.
The reunification is a celebration of their shared history, values, and passion for the sport of rafting. The IRF, founded in 1997, has long been at the forefront of promoting rafting globally, establishing strong relationships with key international bodies, and continuously striving for the betterment of our sport. The WRF has also made remarkable contributions, bringing innovation and a fresh perspective that has enriched our community.
“Our rafting stakeholders believe that a reunification has been long overdue,” says IRF president Joseph Willis Jones. “By combining our strengths, we aim to create a more unified, robust, and resilient organization that will better serve our members and the rafting community worldwide. This effort will enhance our ability to promote and grow the sport, advocate for our athletes, and engage more effectively with international bodies like SportAccord, the Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport (AIMS), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). We believe that this unified front will position us strongly for future successes, including our goal of reaching the pinnacle of sport competitions.”
“One of the first goals is to create a unified sport calendar and sport rules so that the global rafting family can unite in rafting competition and celebration of the sport. We are committed to the smooth integration of our two organizations,” adds Willis. “We are confident that the nearly three decades of hard-won knowledge and experience the IRF has accumulated will guide us effectively through this complex merger process. We aim to preserve the fantastic work all of you have contributed in making the IRF such a great organization while welcoming this opportunity to have the WRF join us and contribute to making all of our dreams come true. Our hope is to achieve a seamless transition that honors the history and accomplishments of both the IRF and WRF while building a brighter future for rafting.”