SCHEDULE

IRF World White Water Rafting Summit

Managing Risk for a Prosperous Future

October 8 - 13, 2019

Costa Rica Convention Center
San Jose, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a world leader in ecotourism, renewable energy, and environmental conservation. It is the
natural and adventure gem of Central America, renowned for its beautiful rivers, rainforests, mountains
and beaches. People from across the globe travel here to revel in outdoor adventure sports like
whitewater rafting, making it a fitting place for the first ever IRF World White Water Rafting Summit.

8 October, Tuesday
Summit Welcome and Cocktail Reception, 7:00 PM (location to be confirmed)
Welcome to the IRF World White Water Rafting Summit
The Summit will commence with opening remarks followed by an opportunity to network with peers.
This will be followed by the world premiere screening of the Rafting for Peace documentary, about the
Colombian rafting team that traded their guns for paddles to help Colombia embrace a future of peace
after a 52-year civil war.

9 October, Wednesday
Workshops, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Costa Rica Convention Center
World White Water Rafting Summit workshops will be centered around 20-minute presentations by a
main speaker, followed by dynamic roundtable discussions with other panel members and dialogue with
participants. All summit participants are encouraged to join in the dialogues freely.

9:00 - 10:30 AM, Workshop I:

The Future of IRF Guide Training and Education (GTE) Certification & Company Certification on a
Global Level
Speaker: Joe Willis Jones, President of the International Rafting Federation (IRF) and Chair of the IRF
Board of Directors.

10:30 - 11:00 AM, Brainstorming Coffee Break

Keep the ideas flowing and network with fellow delegates.
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, Workshop II:
Latest Innovative Techniques in Swift Water Rescue & Wilderness Emergency Management
Speaker: Julie Munger, CEO and Co-Founder of Sierra Rescue International and the Western Regional
Director for Rescue 3 International in the USA.

12:30 - 1:30 PM, Lunch

1:30 - 3:00 PM, Workshop III:

Dealing with Drugs and Alcohol Among Guides and Clients
Speaker: Ena Buenfil, Owner of the adventure company Huaxteca Expeditions in La Huasteca, Mexico.

3:00 - 3:30 PM, Brainstorming Coffee Break

Keep the ideas flowing and network with fellow delegates.

3:30 - 5:00 PM, Workshop IV:

Dams, Pollution, Mining, Deforestation, Flooding and Climate Change: the Environmental Risks Facing
Rivers
Speaker: Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Minister of Environment and Energy for Costa Rica.

5:00 - 6:00 PM, Summary

A summary of the day’s learnings; making plans and agreements for the future.

10 October, Thursday
Workshops, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Costa Rica Convention Center

9:00 - 10:00 AM, Keynote Presentation:

Raft guides and outfitters transforming their community and the world
Speaker: Ken Streater, international speaker, author, social entrepreneur and adventure travel outfitter
from the U.S.

10:00 - 10:30 AM, Brainstorming Coffee Break

Keep the ideas flowing and network with fellow delegates.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, Workshop V:

Beyond First Aid - the criticality of having Wilderness First Responder Training
Speaker: Abigail Polsby, Co-Founder of Sierra Rescue International, Instructor Trainer for Rescue 3
International, and a certified American Canoe Association (ACA) Swiftwater Rescue Instructor.

12:00 - 1:00 PM, Lunch

1:00 - 2:30 PM, Workshop VI:
Overcoming Language Barriers with Rafting Clients: How to Deliver a Universal Safety Talk
Speaker: Mark Hirst, IRF and Rescue3 Europe Instructor and owner of Lapin Koskikoulu, worldwide raft
guide & whitewater rescue training company in Finland.

2:30 - 3:00 PM, Brainstorming Coffee Break

Keep the ideas flowing and network with fellow delegates.

3:00 - 4:00 PM, Keynote Presentation:

Rafting in the World
Speaker: Jib Ellison, Founder of Project RAFT (Russians and Americans For Teamwork), author,
whitewater rafting guide, and founder and CEO of Blu Skye, a U.S. management consulting firm focused
on sustainable business growth.

4:00 - 5:00 PM, Closing Summary

A summary of the day’s learnings and the summit. Opportunity to make plans and agreements for the
future.

11 October, Friday
One River, One World, One Family
Pacuare River Friendship Float

12 - 13 October, Saturday - Sunday

Pacuare River, Instructors Workshop and Certification

For more information: irfwwraftingsummit.com

@WWWRaftingSummit
@WWWR_Summit2019
@WSummit2019