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New association to improve safety in adventure sports

A new association has been formed in Lucerne to represent groups involved in adventure sports, such as canyoning and rafting. The Swiss Outdoor Association will be made up of thirteen organisations and companies.

A new association has been formed in Lucerne to represent groups involved in adventure sports, such as canyoning and rafting. The Swiss Outdoor Association will be made up of thirteen organisations and companies.

Amongst them is Adventure World, the firm which organised last year’s tragic canyoning expedition near Interlaken. 21 people died during the descent through the Saxeten gorge when their group was overtaken by a flash flood.

The new association will be headed by mountain guide, Leo Caminada, who has previously presided over the International Association of Mountain Guides. Caminada also has experiences of canyoning, having organised expeditions through his own company in the Engadine.

Following the deaths in the Saxeten gorge, the government asked the cantonal authorities and interested organisations for advice on the future regulation of extreme sports. Last week the Swiss Canyoning Federation proposed new training courses for canyoning guides.

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