Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta to welcome 2,000 rowers from 21 countries this Oct 25-27

KUCHING (Oct 16): The 10th Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta, scheduled to take place from Oct 25-27 at the Kuching Waterfront, is set to draw nearly 2,000 rowers from 61 teams representing 21 countries.

Participants will hail from nations including England, Ireland, Canada, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Guatemala, Argentina, Qatar, Japan, Cyprus, Indonesia, Taiwan, Spain, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia (with teams from Sarawak, Sabah, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur).

This year, eight newcomers — England, Ireland, Canada, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, and Taiwan — are making their debut in the competition.

A total of eight categories will be contested, including the International Premier Open 20’s, International Premier Mix 20’s, International Premier Open 12’s, International Premier Mix 12’s, International Premier Women 12’s, and the International Masters Open 12’s.

A new category, the National Costume Race 12’s, will be introduced this year, allowing participants to showcase traditional attire from their respective countries.

In addition to the regatta races, a special event titled “Race for Harmony” will feature Cancer Survivors and Para Dragon participants, underscoring the inclusive spirit of the event.

Meanwhile, 26 teams have already registered for the Sarawak Regatta, which will be held from Nov 1-3.

The highlight of the Sarawak Regatta will be the River King Cup, set to take place on Nov 3, witnessed by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.

The champion of the Rajah Sungai Race will walk away with RM30,000 and a trophy.

The Sarawak Regatta will feature 16 categories split into two divisions: the Local Category and the Open Category.

Local Category events are Perahu Bidar 10 Mixed Paddlers (8 male + 2 female), Perahu Bidar 15 Male Rowers, Perahu Bidar 20 Male Rowers, Perahu Bidar 25 Male Rowers, Perahu Bidar 30 Male Rowers (Raja Sungai – TYT Cup), Perahu Bidar 20 Male Rowers (Inter Division) and Perahu Kenyalang 20 Male Rowers (Ministry/Agency/GLC/Private).

Whereas the nine Open Category events are Perahu Bidar 15 Male Rowers, Perahu Bidar 20 Male Rowers, Perahu Bidar 25 Male Rowers, Perahu Bidar 30 Male Rowers (Borneo International Cup), Perahu Kenyalang 20 Male Paddlers (VIP), Perahu Kenyalang Mixed 20 Paddlers (15 male + 5 female), Perahu Kenyalang 20 Male Rowers (IPTA/IPTS), Perahu Kenyalang 20 Paddlers Mixed (15L+5W) IPTS/IPTS and Perahu Bidar 30 Male Paddlers International Marathon 3KM.

The total prize money for the Sarawak Regatta is RM374,000 including trophies and cash.

Meanwhile, a sponsorship presentation cum press conference for the Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival was held at a local hotel today.

Among those present were Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his deputy Datuk Sebastian Ting Chew Yew, the ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Sherina Hussaini, and Kuching Resident Dayang Joanita Azizah Abang Morshidi.