IRF AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE
Going even further , Rafa adopted the role of IRF Ambassador for Peace in 2018 , travelling to Colombia ’ s remote San Vicente del Caguán region to work with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission to help with the social reintegration of ex-guerrillas by training them in rafting . Thanks to Rafa ’ s efforts , the resulting ‘ Rafting for Peace ’ team represented Colombia at the 2019 IRF World Rafting Championship in Australia . Rafa was recognized for the extraordinary achievement with the Sustainable Actions Award for Peace at the 2019 Planet , People , Peace conference in Costa Rica .
I first met Rafa Gallo in December 1998 . Our connection was tenuous at best , but nothing out of the ordinary in the world of river runners . Friends in Russia , where I had been living , knew Rafa . Like him , my friends were old-time river runners and adventurers . I had gone on several rafting trips with them in parts of Russia and Asia . Tiring of Russia ’ s long winters , I wanted to move to the same side of the globe as my native California , and I liked the idea of Costa Rica .
After an email introduction , I flew to San Jose , Costa Rica , to meet with Rafa . I had only a vague job proposal for him to do teambuilding on rafting trips . Rafa welcomed me immediately with his larger-than-life charisma and abundant generosity I would come to know so well . He sent me rafting on the Reventazon and Pacuare rivers . Like him , the Pacuare enchanted me with its beauty and changed the course of my life . Rafa invited me to return in May 1999 , take his raft guide training course , and work with Rios Tropicales .
Anyone who has ever met Rafa will tell you that they genuinely liked and admired him . Our friendship has lasted 22 years . We took different forks in the river for a spell – me with other job callings in Costa Rica and Rafa with all of his adventures and passions . We rejoined working together in 2016 up to the present . I became his press officer , his writer , and his whatever-he-needed-done assistant . It was always exciting , and I loved every minute .
Rafa is my mentor , my hero , my friend . I am honoured to have worked tirelessly beside him to create amazing projects , protect nature and the planet , and positively affect people ’ s lives . Rafa planted dreams wherever he went and with everyone he met . I am forever grateful for all he taught me . And I am deeply inspired that he and his family have entrusted me with telling his life story in his biography and carrying his dreams forward with Project RAFA .
His passing leaves an unimaginable void in my heart and the hearts of his family , close friends , employees , and colleagues , but also an immense legacy . We will honour Rafa by continuing to nurture the seeds he planted so the fruits of his dreams and passions will be with us for generations to come .
ThePADDLER 9