International Rafting Federation


PREAMBLE
The INTERNATIONAL RAFTING FEDERATION (IRF) strives to find solutions which satisfy the demands of rafting while preserving those ethical values, of which they are the trustees.  Rafting has a social value and a source of freewill and perseverance, one of the last strongholds of fair-play and respect for opponents, an initiation into team spirit and camaraderie. Rafting is a sport and recreational pursuit that is accessible to the general public through commercial tourism operators, sport and recreation clubs. Rafting is a low environmental impact activity that creates awareness of conservation and environmental appreciation while show-casing the skill elements involved in the sport
IRF MISSION STATEMENT
The IRF, the trustee of the rafting tradition, maintains and promotes the conditions which encourages the practice and the development of rafting at all competition, commercial and recreational levels.  The IRF aims to facilitate the growing demands of the rafting fraternity through a unified body that deals exclusively with rafting issues and factors which influence the development of rafting.
DEFINITION OF RAFTING
Rafting is a human activity conducted on running rivers requiring physical skill using paddle and oar power in soft crafts and which is generally accepted as being a social, commercial and competitive sport.
NON-PROFIT
The IRF is a non-government and non-profit international organisation for the activity of rafting.
PRINCIPLES
a)      The IRF will carry out its activities in compliance with the principles of:
equality between all the members, all the athletes, all types of rafters and officials, without racial, political, religious, or other discrimination;
b)      non-interference in the internal affairs of affiliated federations; however, shall monitor all activities which affect the IRF either in part or in its entirety.
c)       the non-profit-making purpose, which means the financial resources shall be used only to pursue the purposes set forth in these Statutes. IRF members have no rights thereto.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the IRF are to:
a)      facilitate the growing needs and demands of the rafting fraternity through a unified body that deals exclusively with rafting issues and factors which influence the development of rafting;
b)      to promote rafting in all the countries of the world and at all levels;/ To encourage the establishment of national rafting federations in countries where no such organisation exists.
c)       to promote sportsmanship and fair play as well as to encourage friendship between all members of the rafting world;
d)      Provide an advisory resource to appropriate authorities.
e)      to represent the activity of rafting and defend its interests before all national and international authorities;
f)       to work on rafting becoming an Olympic Sport.
g)      to organize world rafting championships of which it is the sole holder and owner;
h)      Develop and maintain standards for the sport of rafting and to safe guard the rafting industry.
i)        encourage the development of recreational rafting as a contribution to a healthy lifestyle for all ages;
j)        take measures to prevent endangering the health of paddlers and the environment;
k)      To promote conservation of river environs and lobby for their protection. /Promote river environmental awareness to the general public and river users.
l)        Promote and encourage exploration of the world’s river systems
m)    To foster and promote tourism through the sport of rafting.
n)      To provide guidelines for safe rafting practices / To assist rafting federations to promote rafting as a safe, accessible adventure sport in their countries.
o)      Recommend river guide and river rescue services standards and training programs.

Source: http://www.internationalrafting.com 

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