High-speed thrills and global bonds

REMOTE Control (RC) boat racing, a thrilling pastime and competitive pursuit, demands adept control of radio-controlled boats on water.

From streamlined hydroplanes to scaled-down versions of high-speed vessels, these carefully crafted boats are skillfully maneuvered by pilots using remote transmitters.

Combining careful design, modern technology, and a love for the sport creates an exciting display of speed, agility, and clever tactics on the water.

Given that operators don’t require any specialised licenses, this hobby proves to be an excellent choice for those new to the experience.

In this sport, enthusiasts can experience thrilling speeds, with these meticulously crafted vessels reaching top speeds of around 115 to 120 km/h.

The Serian International Remote Control Carnival (SIRCC) 2023 emerged not just as a showcase of technical prowess in RC boat racing but also as a melting pot of international friendships, shared passions, and a commitment to the ever-evolving spirit of this extraordinary carnival.

Embarking on its sixth edition this year, the carnival draws international participants, including those from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Thailand, and many more.

While strolling through the carnival on Friday (Dec 1) for the flag-off ceremony of SIRCC 2023 by Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben, the writer had the chance to speak with some of the participants.

From the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nasser Alblooshi underlined the international bonds forged at SIRCC.

He mentioned friends joining from Kuwait and Qatar, collectively forming four teams, while his team comprised a total of 11 members and brought six boats that would be maneuvered by six pilots.

“This is my third time coming here for the carnival. Abdul Aziz al Yaqoub from Kuwait is also here for his third time. Ali is from Qatar; this is his first time here,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.

Expressing their desire to return for the next edition, Nasser also articulated the need for enhanced services, such as restaurants, to cater to the enjoyment of accompanying families.

“The event improves with each passing year. It keeps getting better each year. Looking ahead, I hope for enhanced services, particularly in areas like restaurants.

“This improvement is crucial because, when bringing our families to the event, we want to ensure they have an enjoyable experience,” Nasser added.

Meanwhile, Wivirote Puangpit, also known as Beever, from Thailand, and David Chew, representing Sabah, formed a collaborative force with fellow enthusiasts from Brunei under the banner of the Beever Extreme R/C Boat Team.

Chew said this is his third time joining the carnival, hoping to come again for the next event.

On the other hand, Zakaria Hassan, a participant from Brunei, shed light on the spontaneity surrounding their involvement in SIRCC 2023.

With less than three weeks’ notice, they confirmed their attendance within a mere 10 days.

The Brunei contingent, travelling in two groups by car and an additional group of five by flight, brought an impressive fleet of 15 boats, each skillfully manned by four pilots.

Zakaria shared his passion for the hobby, dating back to 2008, and revealed the significant financial commitment, with a single boat costing around 1,500 Brunei dollars.

The writer also met a local team from Miri, the Chasing Team, who came with full spirits and an impressive fleet of 20 boats.

One of the members, Louis Anding, shared intricate details about their 11-member strong team and their remarkable journey to SIRCC 2023.

“We drove here. So far, the journey has been okay. We managed to reach here from Miri within a day. Here, we are staying separately. Some are in hotels, others in homestays,” he said.

He also highlighted the accessibility of their boats, ranging from RM4000 to RM5000, reinforcing the ethos that passion for remote control boat racing is not bound by financial constraints.

He said getting involved in such sports is easy if one has the money. As he said, “no money, no talk.”