Today in Pau, France, the rafting community took a major step forward. The World Rafting Federation and International Rafting Federation officially came together to form one unified body: United Rafting.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
For years, rafting operated under two separate global organizations. Now, with one unified body, the sport is set for a stronger and more coordinated future:
Clear and consistent rules worldwide
Less confusion across countries and competitions
Greater support to grow rafting and include more communities
𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧A total of 56 countries took part in this landmark vote.
The meeting was opened by Danilo Barmaz and Joseph Willis Jones.
Support also came from Thomas Konietzko of the International Canoe Federation, reinforcing unity across paddle sports.
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟖)𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭: Danilo Barmaz (Italy)
𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐫: Blerina Ago
𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬:
William Kariuki Mwangi (Kenya), Hadi Seyed Ghaziasgar (Iran), Gurkan Kose(Turkiye), Boris Purjakov (Serbia)
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚: Shigeto Asano, Gautam Raj Sudip, Yaser Alkatheeri
𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞: Anne-Lise Bardet, Zdenka Fingrova, Emilia Kirilova Peneva
𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐬: Alba Luz Salazar Galan, Aaron Tippett
𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚: Mohamuud Said Mohane, Mohsen Takrouni
This is more than a merger. It is a fresh start for rafting worldwide, with stronger unity and a clearer path forward.
As the Kenya Rafting Federation, we look forward to new opportunities for our athletes, officials, and the growth of rafting across Africa.
