Rafael "Rafa" Gallo, CEO of Rios Tropicales, a founding ATTA member and Adventure Champion, lost his battle to pancreatic cancer in March 2021. He leaves a legacy of conservation and passion for protecting the Pacuare River and that legacy will live on through the newly established Rivers and Forests Alliances, aptly called RAFA. In honor of Rafa, and in place of an Adventure Champion Spotlight, the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) would like to highlight a fundraiser taking place to further his work.
The World River Centre and International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHOF), the International Rafting Federation, and Rivers and Forests Alliance (RAFA) have announced a campaign to further the work and passion of Rafael “Rafa” Gallo, IRF Honorary President, conservationist, and adventure tourism innovator. This fundraising campaign supports the missions Rafa created and advocated for. It kicks off with a GoFundMe campaign and will culminate at the ceremony to welcome 2021 awardees to the International Whitewater Hall of Fame on 30 September at The Paddle Sports Show in Lyon, France.
Read more about the GoFundMe campaign in Rafa's honor
Read Shannon Stowell's letter commemorating the passing of Rafa