USA National Championships and USRA-sanctioned events follow the United Rafting Federation (URF) Sport Rules and point system. The URF was formed in 2026 as the unified world governing body for raft racing, and the USRA is a founding member representing the United States.
The URF sanctions two competition formats — the Classic Format (Sprint, RX, Slalom) and the Adventure Format (H2H, Slalom, Downriver). The discipline mix at any given event depends on the format being run.
Disciplines and Maximum Points
Per URF Sport Rules, Art. 11, the maximum score assignable per discipline is 100 points. Final ranking positions at Class A, B, C, and D events all generate points for the URF World Ranking.
- RX = 100 points
- Head-to-Head (H2H) = 100 points
- Slalom = 100 points
- Downriver = 100 points
- Sprint = 100 points (Classic Format only)
Maximum total score achievable per event: 300 points.
- Classic Format — Sprint + RX + Slalom = 300 points
- Adventure Format — H2H + Slalom + Downriver = 300 points
Points Distribution by Place
Within each discipline, points are awarded as a percentage of the 100-point maximum, based on finishing position:
- 1st place = 100%
- 2nd place = 90%
- 3rd place = 80%
- 4th place = 75%
- 5th place = 70%
- 6th place = 68%
- 7th place = 66%
- From 8th place onward — a reduction of 2% per position
Event Value Factor
The score obtained at an event is multiplied by an event value factor, determined by the event class. This means higher-tier events (World Championships, World Cups) carry more weight in the World Ranking than lower-tier events. See URF Annex B for the current event value factors.
Overall Ranking
Points earned in each discipline are added together to determine the Event Overall Ranking. Cumulative points across qualifying events contribute to the URF World Ranking.
Event-Specific Scoring
Some events may run a subset of disciplines. For example, the 2026 USA National Championships will run Sprint, Slalom, and H2H — without Downriver or RX. In those cases, the per-discipline point allocations remain at 100 points each per URF Art. 11; the event maximum reflects the disciplines actually contested.
Para-Rafting
Para-Rafting events are scored under the same point system, with classification and discipline adaptations set out in URF Annex A.
What Changed from the Old IRF System
The URF system flattens point allocations to 100 max per discipline, replacing the legacy IRF system in which Slalom and Downriver were weighted at 350 points each. Under URF, all disciplines carry equal weight, and the event total is 300 rather than 1000 points.
Official Source
The authoritative scoring rules are set out in Art. 11 (World Ranking and Event Overall Ranking) and Annex B (Point system) of the URF Sport Rules. In any case of conflict between this page and the URF Sport Rules, the URF Sport Rules govern.
👉 Download URF Sport Rules (v. 8/02/2026, PDF)
For questions about USRA scoring or how international rankings affect USA team selection, contact usaraftassociation@gmail.com.