The International Rafting Federation Elects Rafael Gallo to a Second Term as President of the 50-country Organization

    SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA, June 03, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Congress of the International Rafting Federation re-elected Rafael Gallo President for a second term when it met May 18th in Bosnia & Herzegovina at the World Rafting Championships.

"I am honored to lead the IRF. This international group of whitewater rafting industry leaders and experts sets international safety and operating standards and promotes rafting and protection of rivers worldwide." Says Rafael Gallo, co-founder of Rios Tropicales.

Mr. Gallo is the co-founder and President of Rios Tropicales, a Costa Rican rafting and adventure company that has achieved international renown in the rafting world. Mr. Gallo also sits on the boards of Costa Rican Nature Reserves Network (Red de Reservas), America Outdoors, the US-based International Trade Association of Outfitters, Tour Companies, and Suppliers, and Rios Tropicales Foundation, a non-profit river conservation organization. An expert paddler himself, Mr. Gallo, has long been at the forefront of efforts to promote rafting, protection of rivers, and international sustainable adventure development through international competition and best practices collaboration.

The International Rafting Federation has a 10-member board of directors, and 50 countries are represented in the federation. The IRF was established in 1997, and Mr. Gallo was one of the nine founding members. The IRF supports rafting as a sport and recreational pursuit that is accessible to the general public through commercial tourism operators, sport and recreation clubs. The IRF promotes that rafting is a low environmental impact activity that creates awareness of conservation and environmental appreciation while showcasing the skill elements involved in the sport. At the 2009 IRF Congress in Banja Luka the IRF discussed working to make rafting a future Olympic sport.

About The International Rafting Federation
The International Rafting Federation (IRF) is an assembly of national associations and organisations with the goal of harmoniously developing, organising and assuring rafting's future and that of international competition. http://www.intraftfed.com

About Rios Tropicales
Rios Tropicales was ranked the #1 Rafting Company in Costa Rica in 2007, and again in 2009 by National Geographic ADVENTURE and one of the top 5 Rafting Companies in the world. Rios Tropicales was an award winner in the 2008 National Geographic Ashoka Changemakers Geotourism Challenge and a finalist in the 2008 Conde Naste World Savers Award. Established in 1985, Rios Tropicales is the most experienced and largest rafting adventure company in Costa Rica. Led by its local founders, Rios Tropicales has expanded into a complete eco-adventure company offering Costa Rica vacation packages whitewater rafting, eco-lodge, sea kayaking, jungle kayaking, hiking, canopy tours, wildlife safari, mountain biking, and tree-planting and sustainable development tours. Tour locations include the most treasured natural areas of Costa Rica: Central Costa Rica, La Fortuna, Canas, and Quepos. http://www.riostropicales.com

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