International Dragon Boat regatta part of Sarawak Regatta 2014

August 20, 2014 | Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

The Sarawak Regatta is back ; 4th – 7th September 2014. The route will stretch from the start point west of the Sarawak river to the finishing point, up river at the Kuching Waterfront, 2,000 meters away.

Intense – at certain stretches of the route when the boats are closest to the river bank, one can feel the emotive efforts of the participants. A highly charged atmosphere.

Making its début is, the 1st International Dragon Boat Regatta 2014. This internationally rated event will take place on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Fifteen teams from eleven countries will battle it out in four categories for prize money. This inaugural challenge is an affiliate event of the International Dragon Boat Federation.

Not forgetting the raison d’etre for the Sarawak regatta are the longboat races with the 30-paddlers category vying for the coveted ‘Raja Sungai’ (King of the River) title. Longboats locally known as ‘perahu’ carries from seven to thirty paddlers according to the category contested in.

Depending on category, each boat can sit 7 to 30 paddlers

This iconic water sports event of Sarawak draws tens of thousands of people to the north and south bank of the Sarawak river every year to witness a regatta organised to harmonise feuding tribes in the old days. It first started in 1872. The legacy lives on till today to bond community; a global one at that, through the spirit of competition.

Mingle with the locals in the north bank of the Sarawak river. Its a lively affair! Drums, colours, cheers and fireworks!

There are plenty of view points along the Kuching Waterfront; either side of the river bank. While the south side has a city atmosphere, the north side of the river bank comes with a ‘kampung’ (village) feel. Crossing the river takes only a few minutes in one of the many traditional ‘penambang’ shuttles that ply their trade at all time of the year.

History in the modern era viewed from Kampung Panglima Seman Lama. There is a homestay in this village.

As with event of such flavour, side events such as stage show, food fair and exhibitions will held.

Kuching is easily accessible from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur via scheduled airlines and low cost carriers. They are Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Malindo Air and Silk Air (Singapore – Kuching only)

Sarawak… where adventure lives