On March 13th, 2023, Vjosa was declared as Europe's first Wild River National Park, further cementing its status as one of Albania's natural wonders. The river is home to more than 1,100 species, including diverse fish fauna with high percentages of endemic species of the Balkans, and authentic communities. With its lush vegetation, Vjosa is an ideal destination for adventure enthusiasts seeking exploration and relaxation.

For over a decade, environmental experts, tourism activists, and organizations such as EcoAlbania, Patagonia, Riverwatch, Euronatur, and IUCN, alongside residents of the communities surrounding Vjosa, media, national and international artists, tour operators, and activity enthusiasts have been dedicated to safeguarding Vjosa for future generations.

During the celebrations of Vjosa NP's declaration in the Municipality of Tepelena, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced, "Currently, almost 21% of Albania's territory is designated as a protected area, and we are continuously expanding this area each year towards achieving our target of having 30% of Albania's land as a protected area by 2030."

Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced, "Today, the Albanian government has officially declared the Vjosa River and its three tributaries (Drino, Bënçë, Shushicë) as a National Park, encompassing its entire length. This declaration is the result of two years of tireless efforts from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the National Agency of Protected Areas, the National Agency of Territorial Planning, local and foreign workers, Patagonia, and IUCN. The team worked village by village to cover the entire stretch of the river, from Leskovik, Çarshova, and Përmet to Këlcyre and Tepelënë, Memaliaj and Fier, Vlorë and Gjirokastër, Dropull, and Libohova. This historic decision would not have been possible without the support of my colleagues. Environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and tourism development were once unimaginable when economic aid was focused on addressing emergencies. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this achievement. This decision marks a significant milestone in Albania's efforts towards environmental conservation."

Vjosa is home to 13 globally endangered animal species and 2 plant species, along with at least 50 animal and 24 plant species listed on Albania's Red Lists, according to information from ecoalbania.org. The river and its tributaries flow freely from the mountains of Greece to the Adriatic coast of Albania, creating a vast natural area with diverse habitats. The upper part has narrow gorges, the middle course has wide meandering river sections, and there is a quasi-natural delta in the Adriatic Sea. The middle stream alone has at least 8 priority habitat types for nature conservation within the European Union framework. Scientific understanding of Vjosa's biodiversity and ecological processes is limited because it is one of Europe's least explored rivers. However, existing studies emphasize the river valley's importance as a biodiversity "hot spot" in Albania, providing ideal aquatic habitats for numerous species.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR ECO TOURISM

Blerina Ago, a member of the WRF Board, an advocate for nature conservation, adventure travel, and pioneer of promoting destinations in the Western Balkans, suggests that the Vjosa River in Albania has the potential to become a premier ecotourism destination worldwide. Its unspoiled waters, stunning scenery, and diverse biodiversity offer an ideal setting for a unique nature-based experience.

Ecotourism has gained popularity, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as travelers seek authentic experiences that enable them to connect with nature while supporting local conservation efforts. The Vjosa River is one of the few remaining wild rivers in Europe with untouched habitats that provide shelter for various species. Visitors can observe a wide range of wildlife, including otters, eagles, and rare freshwater fish. Additionally, the river offers various activities, such as kayaking, climbing, rafting, wilderness camping, stand up paddleboarding, hydrospeed, cycling, hiking, and mountain climbing, allowing visitors to actively engage with the river's natural beauty.

Today RX has been the last discipline of the Pan-American Champs and many countries with a lot of river experience  competed through the strategic gates for the first time: it has been demanding but satisfying.

On the first day of the event the qualification phase on the Arenera rapid at Puente Miranda decided the RX matches. In the men category Brazil won the last knock-out against Colombia 1 who got the overall second place: 272 points for Diego Arenas Duarte, Sebastian Chacon, Walter Gomez, Andres Moreno and Sebastian Rojas Sarmiento.

The Brazilians Alan Annibal Schmidt, Thiago Saldana Serra, William Ferraz, Thiago Diniz Barne Ganeo and Pedro Aversa got the overall gold, thanks to the second place in slalom and downriver. They celebrated 282 points after a challenging afternoon defined by the last red gate. 

Third place for Antonio Guzman, Carlos Lobo, Jean Carlo Castillo, Jean Carlos Andrades and Eduard Erazo: Venezuela with 242 total points won the final B against Colombia 2.

The slalom winners of women of Chile 2 got the first place in RX that was enough to gain the champions’ title: Maritza Gajardo, Antonia Bande, Maria Jesus Inzunza, Paloma Molina and Valentina Aliagowon 290 points  and the overall women.

The teammates from Chile 1, who won the downriver, finished with a second place in RX that confirmed the silver overall with 260 points in total for the Slalom winners Yisseth Moralez, Marina Saez, Magdalena Muaoz, Marlene Epulef and Tabata Araya Soto.

Winners of final B are Costa Rica 1 with 243 points Estercita M. S., Marianela Castro Arguedes, Citya Escobar Valverde, Camila Segura Castro and Johanna Rojas are third, in the RX and overall.

Mix category’s gold will stay at home: the local Colombia 1 got the best overall score: William Delgado, Yeison Rojas, Luswing Millan, Milagros Del Valle Morales and Milyei Nuaez are the PanAmerican mix champs with 292 points.

Chile 2 (Arantxa Bahamondez, Javiera Alfaro, Teresa Calvo, Amaru Parini Lavanchy and Camilo Soto) got the second place in RX and the overpalle silver.

Finally Colombia 2 won against Argentina and earned a third place thanks to Mayerli Gambo, Lorena Barragãin, Edison Olaya, Jhon Narvaez and David Gamboa.

 Now we are going to celebrate at the closing ceremony!

At the beginning of the Pan-American rafting championship the first Pan-American Council in history has been elected in the Valle de San Josè, Santander, Colombia.

Martin Martinez, the WRF representative of the athletes, welcomed the delegations and opened the meeting, presenting the members:

President Freddy Merchan (Colombia)

Vice-president Alex Segura (Costa Rica)

Secretary Carolina Soto (Chile)

Board Ariel Domínguez (Argentina), Veronica Medici (Brazil), Gregory Perez (Venezuela), Jhelder Justi Alcala Delgado (Perù)

WRF President Danilo Barmaz declared “This is a great step for the rafting movement: this council put together newborn realities in the agonistic rafting and decades of experience in the river from the different commercial fields. Sport has nothing to take away from the river dimension; indeed it is a transversal tool for the common growth and I am happy to see that the everything started from the different realities in a spontaneous way. The common desire to genuinely grow gave birth to this project and I am ready and proud to be a part of it. It is a great pleasure to see that projects are not only words: with passion we can make things happen.”

Now, for the first time in history, San Gil will host an international rafting competition, after a solid 20 years experience of commercial rafting working on the big local rivers.

Tonight the opening ceremony officially inaugurated the Pan-American Rafting Championship 2022 in the Plaza principal de San Josè. 

The recently elected President of the Pan-American Council Fredy Merchan, the Director of the Inder Santander, the local Mayor of San Josè and the event director Alba Salazar, after the introduction of the Sport Minister Maria Isabel Urrutia, attended the ceremony with 35 teams celebrating on the beats of the local music and dance.

The “PanAmericano” is officially on: nos vemos al Rio mañana!

The final start lists will be available on 15th April.

Taking place 26 June - 2 July 2023, the event is the main competition of the season.

The World Rafting Championships is held every two years and provides 5 action-packed days of intense competition, in a new semi artificial venue where fans can witness the raw athleticism and talent of many of the world’s best athletes at close range.

After the great show in France, WRF confirms that RX finals will be held on friday night, guaranteeing an electrifying atmosphere.

Also, today the event’s new brand mark has been revealed.

World Rafting showed confidence in the hosting city and in the LOC to host this prestigious global championships and in 100 days we - working alongside our partners - will give our best to deliver an  event to remember. “We’re hyped for the season and looking forward to welcoming spectators, athletes and friends to Adda river”.

Last night heavy rain strongly increased the water level and the put-in of women and mix teams has been moved after the two 4 level rapids that are in the first km. The men paddled the 8 km downriver that required the combination of fast paddling in the slow parts and clean technique in the long demanding rapids. 

Venezuela - Derrumbe rapid

The best absolute time was earned by Venezuela: Antonio Guzman, Carlos Lobo, Jean Carlo Castillo, Jean Carlos Andrades and Eduard Erazo got a well deserved downriver gold in the men category at their first WRF competition with 35:32.44, 5 seconds ahead of Brazil who got the second place. Finally third place to the Slalom winners of Colombia 1.

In the women category the 80 golden points go to Chile 1: Yisseth Moralez, Marina Saez, Magdalena Muaoz, Marlene Epulef and Tabata Araya Soto closed with 21:00.16.

With a gap of 15 seconds Magdalena Alonso, Virginia Gisela Dubosca Carra, Camila Gonzalez Guzman and Agustina Micaela Magnaterra (Argentina) got the second place, followed by Chile 2 one second later that decided their third place.

Mix category has been taken by Chile 2: Arantxa Bahamondez, Javiera Alfaro, Teresa Calvo, Amaru Parini Lavanchy and Camilo Soto with 20:14.87.

23 seconds later Colombia 1 stopped the chronometer, followed by Argentina with 21:06.48: Melani Ailen Kindenet, Julieta Ana Beatriz Vilte, Arian Torres, Tomas Capelar Ferrer and Ignacio Julian Bravo.

Tomorrow is the last race day and RX is going to define the PanAmericano: Rio Fonce is more than listo! 

One day to go!

33 teams landed in San Gil, in the Valle the San Josè. The department of Santander, Colombia, is hosting the Pan-American Rafting Championship from 28 September to 2 October. Teams from  Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Perù and Venezuela arrived and are ready to paddle in rio Fonce. Italy sent a mix team  and the male team who is actually the world champion with the overall gold in France. They who will not compete for the title but take part in the event.

On 30th September the competition will be on with the qualification phase of the RX.

The Pan-American council will be elected during a board of directors and we will announce the members soon. 

WRF President declares “I am very happy to see a great participation in this event, after 2 challenging years of sacrifices and doubts for the athletes. I wait for all of you in San Gil and for now I wish you good luck with the training, discovering the big rapids of rio Fonce”

26th June – 2nd July 2023

Dear Sport friends,  

on behalf of the Italian Rafting Federation and Adda Viva Valtellina SSD, it is my pleasure to extend a warm invitation to your National teams to participate in the upcoming World Rafting Championships, which will be held in Valtellina, Italy from June 26th to July 2nd.  

This prestigious event will bring together the world's top rafting teams to compete in various categories, including men's and women's rafting, as well as sprint and slalom competitions. 

As the host nation, we are particularly excited to showcase our passion for RX, slalom and downriver events. We are also proud to feature the para-rafting category, which is an important aspect of our championship and underscores our commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the sport of rafting.  

The championship promises to be an exciting display of athleticism, teamwork, and passion for the sport of rafting. The Valtellina region, with its stunning natural beauty and adventurous spirit, is the perfect setting for this competition. We are confident that your team will enjoy the warm hospitality of our community and the challenging rapids of the Adda River.  

We would be honored to have your team participate and compete alongside the best in the world, including in the para-rafting category. Your presence would not only contribute to the success of the championship but also provide an opportunity for cultural exchange and the strengthening of international ties.  

With this Bulletin we will provide you with additional information on the championship, including travel and accommodation details.  

We look forward to welcoming you and your team to Valtellina for the World Rafting Championships.  

Sincerely,  

Benedetto Del Zoppo
President

Valtellina is a breathtaking valley located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. The valley is surrounded by the stunning Italian Alps, and is known for its beautiful mountain scenery, rich cultural heritage, and delicious cuisine.  

The climate in Valtellina during the end of June and early July is generally warm and sunny, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 16-30°C). 

The weather during this time of year is usually dry and pleasant, making it an ideal time to explore the beautiful outdoors of Valtellina.  Valtellina is a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with countless activities to enjoy including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and of course, rafting. The Adda River, which winds through Valtellina, is one of the best rivers in Italy for rafting and kayaking. The challenging rapids and beautiful scenery make it a perfect location for the World Rafting Championships.  In addition to the outdoor activities, Valtellina also boasts a rich cultural heritage. 

The valley is dotted with charming medieval towns, historic castles, and beautiful churches. Visitors can explore the historic town of Sondrio, stroll through the picturesque streets of Tirano, or visit the beautiful Abbey of San Pietro in Valle.  

Foodies will also love Valtellina's culinary scene, which is known for its delicious wines, cheeses, and cured meats. The valley is particularly famous for its Valtellina wines, including the popular red wine called Valtellina Superiore. Other local specialties include pizzoccheri, a type of buckwheat pasta, and bresaola, a type of air-dried beef.  

Overall, Valtellina is a stunning region that offers something for everyone. We are confident that visitors to the World Rafting Championships will fall in love with the beautiful scenery, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality of this unique part of Italy.

INFORMATION

First day of competition was the literal definition of slalom!

The RX qualification inaugurated the race weekend with a fast sprint on the slalom course. Best time (91.77) was scored by the home team of Colombia 3 in the men category. William Fernando Sarmiento, Diego Tapias, Diego Mejia, Jorge Gomez and Sebastian Rojas will face Brasil, with the 5th time (94.15), in the knock out. Second time for Colombia 1 by Diego Arenas Duarte, Sebastian Chacon, Walter Gomez, Andres Moreno and Sebastian Rojas Sarmiento (93.42) and third time for Chile 2 by Daniel Reyes, David Reyes, Gabriel Espinos, Benjamin Benavides and Claudino Sanmartin (93.72).

In the same section the gates were moved designing a demanding path: the most difficult passage seemed not to be among the eddies, trying to chase the upstream gates, but rather the 4, 5 and 6 green gates. The entrance in this chicacan from the downstream 3 was fundamental and selected the teams who could do the left-right-left in the following rapid.

First 100 points in the men category, with the gold in the slalom, go to Colombia 1: Diego Arenas Duarte, Sebastian Chacon, Walter Gomez, Andres Moreno and Sebastian Rojas Sarmiento run 2 clean lines with no penalties (128.74).

90 points for Brasil in the second place: Pedro Aversa, Thiago Saldanha Serra, William Ferraz and Thiago Diniz Barne Ganeo (129.72 in the first run, they got a 50 penalty in the second that costed a lot). 

Slalom men bronze for Argentina 1of Matias Maximiliano Cordero, Denis Orlando Gelves, Mauro Solano, Juan Martin Martinez: 80 points with 131.02 in the first run. Many teams changed tactics in the second manche but got penalties: the river is faster that it 

First two steps of the women podium taken by Chile: gold for Chile 2 with a clean first run for (156.03) Maritza Gajardo, Antonia Bande, Maria Jesus Inzunza, Paloma Molina and Valentina Aliago.

Silver for Chile 1, again with no penalties in the first attempt: 164.03 for Yisseth Moralez, Marina Saez, Magdalena Muaoz, Marlene Epulef and Tabata Araya Soto. 

Women bronze to Colombia 1 with the best time with one penalty in the second run: 212.22 for Dayana Bayona, Paola Sanchez, Milyei Nuãez and Milagros de Valle Morales.

William Delgado, Luswing Millan, Yayson Rojas, Milyei Nuãez and Milagros de Valle Morales earned a Colombian gold also in the Mix category: with a touch on the 2 green gate they got a good time of 145.11.

Silver for Chile 2 with best manche in the first clean run: 164.30 for Arantxa Bahamondez, Javiera Alfaro, Teresa Calvo, Amaru Parini Lavanchy and Camilo Soto.

Bronze to Colombia 2: 203.34 due to one missed gate for Mayerli Gamboa, Lorena Barragãin, Edison Olaya, Jhon Narvaez and David Gamboa.

The course was the definition of slalom itself! Many different strategies available depending on the strength and technique required the perfect coordination between the front and the back athletes, that always had to paddle together, especially backwards, to change direction. 

Now it’s downriver time!

Following the yesterday’s Board of Directors and several meetings among the event’s organisers in the previous days, we are sorry to comunicate that WRF is forced to postpone the Asian Championship. The race was supposed to be held from 16th to 23rd September 2022 in Himachal Pradesh state, in the northern India.

Heavy rain during the last week has caused havoc. As many as 22 people have lost their lives in floods, rockslides and landslides, with at least 6 people missing and 10 injured. 

Due to the natural disaster the dates of the competition have been delayed and will be discussed with the organisation and the Board in the upcoming days.

“We are truly sorry for the local struggle and pay our respect to the families involved in the disaster. I am sure our athletes will comprehend the situation. President of the Indian Rafting Foundation Shaukat Sikand did everything he could in order to help the organisation of the race, but we will compete in India once the emergency is over, wishing the local people to return to comfortable and safe conditions as soon as possible” WRF President Danilo Barmaz declared.