Fédération Internationale de Canyonisme

The history of the Fédération Internationale de Canyonisme (FIC) begins in 2003 with the desire to have an international canyon festival. These events, called “Rassemblement Internationale de Canyon” (RIC), were held annually. In 2014, French canyoneers collaborated with canyoneers from around the world to form a new association: International Association of Amateur Canyoning (IAAC). The association was dedicated to recreational (aka “amateur” in French law) canyoning. The primary goal of IAAC was:

• Facilitate networking of canyoneers around the world in order to exchange information about canyoning
• Develop international canyoning
• Support actions of canyon associations with their political, legal, administrative and economic institutions
• Develop respect for nature
• Develop scientific knowledge in the practice environment
• Establish a common reflection on the canyon techniques, trainings and rescue
• Promote continuity of the Rassemblement Internationale de Canyon (RIC)

As one can well imagine, the word “amateur” in an association’s title is less than attractive. Such are the challenges of translating from language to language and dealing with varying national legal systems. Consequently, the IAAC changed its name to FIC. This (in French) is “Fédération Internationale de Canyonisme.” In English, FIC becomes “Federation for International Canyoning.” Initially we had a little confusion with English preferring to say: “International Federation of Canyoning.” Hence, the initials were either IFC or FIC. The board of directors has decided to only use FIC.

Membership

Membership in the FIC is restricted to associations of recreational canyoneers — guide associations and paid guides may not be members. Each country can have up to three representative associations. They would split the vote between them for any FIC issue.