Rafting: Extreme challenges for world champs

WORLD CHAMPS: The Japanese men's rafting team take on the Kaituna River during last year's pre-world championship event in Rotorua. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The countdown has begun for the 2013 World Rafting Championships in Rotorua, with less than 70 days to go before 70-plus teams hit the water.

Rafting teams from more than 30 countries will take part in the world champs, being held in New Zealand for the first time.

The event runs from November 13-24 and will be hosted by Rotorua and Kawerau on three famous stretches of rafting water - the Kaituna, Tarawera and Rangitaiki Rivers.

Work on the venues has already begun and competitors are being promised some extreme challenges over the 10-day event, including downriver, sprint, head-to-head, and slalom challenges.

A pre-worlds event, held last October and designed to test the quality of the courses for international competition, was a success.

"We're the envy of many countries in the world when it comes to extreme and challenging water that is suitable for rafting," organising committee member Raewyn Larcombe said.

The volunteer recruitment programme is also up and running, with about 150 volunteers needed. Waiariki Institute of Technology will provide accommodation for the international teams as well as the event press office.

Social media is popular in the rafting community globally. Daily news reports and footage will be posted online at the end of each day in time for the European and United States mornings. The Facebook site, 2013 IRF White Water Rafting World Championships, is attracting about 150 new international followers every day.

The best chance the public will have to see the event up close will be the slalom competition at Tarawera, on the penultimate day of competition on Saturday November 23.

Kawerau District Council are already at a very advanced stage of planning and marketing the big day and hope to attract thousands to the event.

Local schools are also jumping on board with an Adopt a Nation programme being championed by Kawerau District Council.