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This summer, two Roaring Fork Valley rafting teams will take to the rapids of Bosnia to compete in the 2024 World Rafting Championship (WRC) as Team USA. Local teams Riff Raft Racing and Rapid Fire Racing will compete on the Vrbas River (pronounced verb “earth”) from May 28 to June 2 during an event organized by the International Rafting Federation (IRF). Compete with rafters from all over the world.
“We are very excited to represent the United States,” said Riff Raft Captain Conrad Niven. “This is pretty wild and we’re excited about it.”
Candidates for the WRC will be selected during the 2023 United States Rafting Association National Championships on the Arkansas River near Canon City. Riff Raft placed first in the Men’s Open, securing a spot in Bosnia, while Rapid Fire finished second behind the Red Ladies in the Women’s Open.
After the Red Ladies decided to take some time off and withdraw from the WRC, Rapid Fire was asked if they would like to represent the United States in Bosnia.
“It happened very quickly, and it was like a resolution rally where we all came together and said, ‘Hey, do you want to do this?'” Rapid Fire Team Captain Bean・Hancock explained. “Everyone said, ‘Absolutely, 100 percent!'” This seems like a life-changing opportunity, but one I can’t afford to pass up. ”
This is the first World Championships for both teams, and the first time for each rower to raft in that part of the world. This race marks a major milestone for both newly formed teams.
Although many of Rapid Fire’s teammates have been racing for several years, the team has been officially formed for less than a year. Similarly, while Riff Raft has only been an established racing team for two years, the crew has been informally boating together for about four years. Meanwhile, many other teams around the world have been rowing together for decades.
Other international teams also have an advantage in terms of training conditions. Although whitewater can be run all year round in some countries, rif-rafters and rapid-firers must do a good amount of winter training in the gym or by paddling in the pool at Snowmasrek’s center. .
However, both teams will have time to warm up in real whitewater before the world championships. They will each be heading to the Nationals in Clackamas River, Oregon, May 17-19. Teams build several practice days into their schedules to familiarize themselves with the best lines of Vrbas and explore new parts of the world.
While IRF hosts the event, it is the rafters’ responsibility to cover airfare and lodging costs. Rapid Fire and Riff Raft hosted fun fundraising events in Snowmass and Aspen this spring, and we continue to explore partnership opportunities with local businesses.
“We really appreciate the community. We have a great community of Whitewater people in the Valley and everyone is really excited about it and wants to help us,” Niven said. Ta.
Rapid Fire is working with local schools to bring girls to the river to learn about conservation and outdoor career paths, teaching them that although the sport is male-dominated, water belongs to everyone.
“Women are allowed to occupy spaces in this community,” Hancock said. “And it’s really great that when we do that, we can achieve amazing and outstanding achievements, such as representing your country at the World Championships.”
Both teams plan to celebrate the milestone with another fundraiser in June when they return from the WRC, share their experiences with photos and videos, and show off some of their medals. Details of these events are yet to be determined.
For more information about Rift Raft, please visit www.riffraftracing.com. For Rapid Fire, visit www.rapidfireracing.squarespace.com.
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