Members of the public admire the boats on display.
KAPIT: Crowds have thronged the Kapit Waterfront to attend the power boat races and exhibition held in conjunction with the Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari.
Kapit Division Power Boat Association chairman Koh Kumbong said the two days of racing from yesterday involved 16 events from pump engine to 18hp, 30hp, as well as 50hp and below.
“Power boat racing has always been the focus of attraction and a crowd-puller. There are teams from Brunei, Miri, Limbang, Bintulu, Sibu, Mukah, Bintangor, Kanowit, Song and Kapit competing,” he said during the power boat exhibition of over 60 locally designed boats.
“Power boat racing is an extreme water sport that requires great enthusiasm and skill to navigate the boat. In Kapit, locals have shown great enthusiasm from the young to the old.”
Meanwhile, Team Gelima Racing manager Jacob Baleng said power boat racing is an expensive sport.
“Each boat costs more than RM15,000. Just to modify the propeller it’s more than RM3,000, then to modify the engine another RM5,000. How about the boat design and building?
“Regardless of financial commitment, we keep on because of the enthusiasm and sporting spirit. There’s great satisfaction and we thrive on the racing not only to win the trophy and the prize money but more on the satisfaction and the pride of participating,” he said.