ABOUT THE USRA
The USRA is the governing body for whitewater raft racing in the United States. The USRA works with the International Rafting Federation and other national governing bodies throughout the world to make sure the United States is represented in international competition. The USRA also strives to promote the sport of raft racing in the United States from a local level to a national level. Teams selected through the National Championship Series represent the United States in international competition. The USRA continually strives to grow the sport within the USA and is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
WHAT'S NEW
With our forced cancellation of the US National Rafting Championships in September this year, we are now looking to the future. Please keep reading this post to see plans for Nationals and Team Selection races in 2023. ![]()
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A small informal California Rafting Championships was held in October. This included three cadet teams (age range between 11 and 16 years old), one women’s master team, and the U19W team that went to Bosnia this spring, the California Poppies. The Poppies were in great form, having worked on some flatwater drills this summer that have really improved their teamwork. They scored the highest by far at this state Champs (see video of time trial sprint).![]()
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For team selection in 2023 and 2024, this is the process proposed by the USRA.![]()
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1) 2023 - Teams submit a written/video bid to compete in a scheduled IRF sanctioned event in 2023, as representatives of the USRA. The narrative portion of the bid should be no more than two pages. The narrative should include a short rafting/ racing biography for each team member, the national and international racing history for the team (even if members have changed), and clear identification of which 2023 IRF event(s) the team is interested in entering. The video portion should be three to five minutes and demonstrate the team’s paddling ability in flatwater, in whitewater, and a short slalom clip showing an upstream and downstream offset sequence. Narrative portions of the bids should be submitted by December 15th. Video portions should be submitted by March 30. ![]()
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We are currently seeking bids to host team selection races in the winter/spring of 2023 (Feb-April) for all classes where two or more teams in the same class are applying for the same event. If a venue/event is successfully scheduled teams will be selected at that in person event. If no venue is found, a 3-person impartial and qualified evaluation committee will be formed by the USRA to assess bid applications and vote for the most qualified team in each class. For classes with two or more bids, teams will be given until March 30 to submit video of their team.![]()
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2) 2024 – We are currently seeking bids for an in person National championships and team selection for a potential IRF world championship in 2024. Bids for this event are requested for the summer of 2023 (May thru August).![]()
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Please help spread the word to solicit proposals for either of these two national team selection races. If interested in submitting a proposal, please send an email to susannorman@att.net by December 15, and a bid application will be sent to you. ![]()
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Happy winter training and planning everyone!
www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Journal/get-journal-pdf/issue/5/year/2022/.raw![]()
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The attached link features an article by Chloe Tippet, a member of the USA U19 womens team that competed in the World Championship in Bosnia-Herzigovina this past May. She did a fantastic job describing her experience and the ways it connected her more deeply to the global paddling community. I truly hope her team, the Calfornia Poppies, and the USRA can continue to inspire and support future youth teams from the USA to participate in the international community created through the International Rafting Federation.
www.americanwhitewater.org
It is with deep sadness and utmost respect for our friend, teammate, and paddler Mike Edwards that we share this post. Mike was an incredible boater and human being. Even if you met him just once, you felt like you'd known him for a lifetime. His guiding and paddling was second to none and he could make the boat move magically through the water. Thank you for all you have given to the sport and the profession. Julia McCarrier Edwards Team WV Masters - World Rafting Championship 2019
SPONSORS
A BIG thanks to all our sponsors. We could not DO what we DO without your support.
