Media partnership International Rafting Federation and Sportscene
Sportscene will have one more exciting watersport to cover as they form a brand new media partnership with the International Rafting Federation (IRF).
Starting at the Youth and Masters World Rafting Championships in the Czech Republic this August, Sportscene will provide official media coverage for the federation, including daily video newsflashes, interviews and preparation of visuals for TV broadcasters.
The IRF chose Sportscene as its official media partner because it’s the only media consultancy that focusses on paddle sports 24/7.
IRF vice president Peter Micheler is looking forward to the partnership.
I strongly believe in Sportscene’s competitive paddling roots and I am impressed with its previous coverage of paddle sports and the amazingly fast turnaround times.
More than 50 countries are members of the IRF with Chile and France in the process of joining. While commercial rafting is very popular worldwide for thrill seekers and flat water floaters alike, competitive rafting is still a relatively new venture.
The IRF was founded in 1997 and the first World Championships were held a year later in Costa Rica on the Reventazón and Pacuare rivers. Since 2010 the IRF runs a World Rafting Championship (WRC) every year again alternating between R4 (4-man rafts) and R6 (6-man rafts) with R4 being more suitable on smaller, tighter rivers or artificial (Olympic) courses and R6 for the big natural rivers.
Races have taken place on rivers all over the world from the Gauley River in the USA (2001) to the Naerinchon River in South Korea (2007). The next World Championships will take place in 2013 in New Zealand.
Other competitive events include the European Championships, Euro Cup Series, Pan American Championships and the Australasian Championships.
Sportscene founder Rob van Bommel said he is looking forward to a long and sustainable partnership with the IRF.
In addition to the media coverage, Sportscene will also be working with the IRF to develop a media and sponsorship plan.
Website IRF: www.internationalrafting.com