IRF NEWSLETTER - September 2005

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Contents:
1) WORLD RAFTING CHAMPS 2005 - update
2) SPRINT RULES ALTERED FOR 2005 WORLD CHAMPS!!!!!
3) R4 EURO CHAMPS 2004 Results
4) RACE RULES - updated!
5) RACE JUDGES - next workshop
6) GUIDE TRAINING & EDUCATION: a) Updated Award Scheme, b) next workshop!

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1) WORLD RAFTING CHAMPS 2005: Quijos river,Ecuador,12-16 Oct.
If you have not sent in your forms, paid inscriptions and met the other requirements please do so URGENTLY as time is running out!
All is on track with the organization and we look forward to seeing everyone in Ecuador.
WRC WEBSITE is now operational - www.2005wrc.org; as well as www.raftingecuador.org.
MEDIA - We'd appreciate that if anyone has seen media stories on the www that they send the link to media@raftingecuador.org so we can put it on the site.
RAFTS are for sale after the event. For more information go to: http://www.raftingecuador.org/pages/adboatseng.html
VOLUNTEERS - Anyone interested in assisting at the 2005 WRC as a judge or in any other capacity please contact Julio Vásconez, Volunteers Coordinator, volunteers@raftingecuador.org

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2) SPRINT RULES ALTERED FOR 2005 WORLD CHAMPS!!!!!
It has been decided that since the conditions are suitable, the Sprint will be run as follows:
Round one: - All teams race against the clock.
Round two: - Men's teams placing 1 to 16 in round one will proceed into the Head to Head as normal. Women's teams placing 1 to 8 will advance in to the Quarterfinals. The rest of the teams will race in pairs to finalise their positions. (See attached document for full details.)
This method means that all teams get a chance to race twice, particularly the lower end teams which can gain from the expeience.

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3) R4-EURO CHAMPS - results
The R4-Euro Champs went off extremely well and huge thanks must go to BiH for running such an efficient and well run event. I received streams of emails saying how well the event went and how well everyone was looked after by the hosts - thanks BiH!

The title of R4-Euro Champions was scooped up by the Slovakians in the men's section and the Czech's in the women's section. And these two countries dominated the top 3 places by the Czech's placing 2nd and 3rd in the men's section and 3rd in the women's with Slovakia taking 2nd in the women's section. Well done to all team's that paricipated and we hope it was good practise for the Worlds in October.

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4) RACE RULES
The race rules have recently been updated. These updates can be seen on the website at: www.intraftfed.com/Sport%20&%20Comp/RaceRules.htm. Please ensure you are familiar with the changes if you are a competitor, judge or race organiser.
The key changes are that we have now included national selections as one of the levels of Race Classifications. The other area that has seen major changes is the Race Judges section. This section has been completely redefined from when the rules were originally written.

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5) IRF RACE JUDGES WORKSHOP (also available in Spanish)
The IRF will run a Judges Workshop on the weekend before the WRC - October 8-9. The Workshop will be run by Robert Kazik, Head of the IRF Sport and Competition committee and Chief Judge for the 2005 WRC, and Steve Nomchong, Chief Judge for the last three WRCs.
The successful participants will be certified as IRF Assistant or General Judges. The objective of the Workshop is to train and examine new judges for the 2005 WRC and any other IRF competition to be held in the future.
Program: Day 1
09:00 Introduction, Centro de Comunicación Ambiental, El Chaco.
09:15 Revision of the Race Rules. It is recommended that participants revise the Race Rules previously in the IRF website - http://www.intraftfed.com/Sport%20&%20Comp/RaceRules.htm
12:00 Lunch.
13:00 Practice at the Slalom site, Facundo bridge, Quijos river.
16:00 Return to Centro de Comunicación Ambiental, El Chaco.
Day 2 Practice, exams and results.
The workshop has no cost. Participants should bring lunch, water, sun block, and appropriate clothing in case of sun and rain. Please contact Julio Vásconez, Volunteers Coordinator, volunteers@raftingecuador.org

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6) GUIDE TRAINING & EDUCATION
a) Award Scheme Updated!
The IRF Award Scheme has been updated to make it easier to understand and apply. The new Award Scheme combines the old Award Scheme and Minimum Requirments in a format that is easier to read. The new Award Scheme can be seen on the website at: www.intraftfed.com/GT&E/GT&E.HTM.
If you have any comments about this updated scheme please let us know.

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b) IRF Certification workshop and exams: (also available in Spanish)
Guide and Trip Leader exams and an Instructor workshop will be run by the IRF Guide Training and Education committee after the 2005 IRF World Rafting Championships. Certifications will be given in the Restricted (up to class III) and Unrestricted (over class III) categories.
The exams will be given by IRF Instructors and Assessors.
Dates: Exam Guides Oct 20, exam Trip Leaders Oct 20-21, workshop Instructors Oct 20-22.
Place: El Chaco, Quijos valley, ECUADOR. Site of the 2005 IRF World Rafting Championships.
River: Quijos river (class III+ - IV+).
Prerequisites: As detailed in the documents a) GUIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION AWARD SCHEME and b) RECOMMENDED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR GUIDES AND TRIP LEADERS, that can be found at: http://www.intraftfed.com/GT&E/GT&E.htm
Candidates must bring a logbook or letters from employers as proof of experience. If you have any questions about the prerequisites please contact Steve Nomchong.
Cost: The following costs include certification for two years if the exams are passed: Guide $US30, Trip Leader $50, Instructor $100.
Allow approximately $15-20 per day for meals and accommodation.
Provided: Rafts, paddles, pumps, etc and transport to the river from El Chaco will be provided by the Alliance Yacu Amu Rafting / Ríos Ecuador.
What to bring: Personal equipment including life jacket, helmet, throw bag, knife, whistle and flip line.
To register please contact: Steve Nomchong, Head of the Guide Training and Education committee,

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