From 25 May to 1 June, Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted the International Rafting Federation (IRF) World Rafting Championship (WRC) 2022, with over 60 teams and more than 400 competitors representing 22 countries.The WRC was held on the rivers Vrbas, Drina and Tara in the cities of Banja Luka and Foča.
USAID Turizam is proud to have been part of this global story by providing significant support to this historic event, which will promote Bosnia and Herzegovina as a must-see adventure destination across the world.
The IRF WRC 2022 was officially opened at a spectacular ceremony held on the banks of the Vrbas within the Kastel Fortress in Banja Luka. During the ceremony, numerous visitors enjoyed watching a parade of teams rowing together on the Vrbas, and the famous Banja Luka basketball player Sladjana Golic lightning a torch to mark the beginning of the championship. Karl Wurster, USAID/BiH Economic Development Office Director, greeted the audience and highlighted the heroic efforts of the championship director, Aleksandar Pastir, and thanked the International Rafting Federation for its support in the realization of the championship.
During the closing ceremony held in Foča, US Ambassador to BiH Michael J. Murphy awarded medals to women’s and men’s junior (U19) downriver teams, the main discipline that makes up 40% of the total result in the championship. The junior women’s teams from the United States of America and the Czech Republic, as well as the junior men’s teams from Croatia and the Czech Republic, were excited to receive the medals.
USAID Turizam promotes safe rafting in Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with the International Rafting Federation’s (IRF) guidelines! As part of the support for the World Rafting Championship, we have also supported the IRF Guide Training & Education (GTE) program for 24 rafting guides from across Bosnia and Herzegovina. The training was organized by the Kanjon Rafting Club in partnership with the IRF.
