142nd Sarawak Regatta comes to a close

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Paddlers from Enraz Cahaya Zen celebrating their win.

KUCHING: The four-day 142nd edition of the Sarawak Regatta ended yesterday as thousands of spectators gathered on both sides of Sarawak River throughout the day to view the races, a strong sign of how the event will continue for the longer run.

Enraz Cahaya Zen won the much coveted King of the River (Raja Sungai) title after beating 14 other boats in the Men’s 30 paddler category.

The win enabled the team to grab the Head of State Challenge Trophy from last year’s winning team ‘Jang Karaton’.

In second place was Landas 6 while trailing closely behind was Yayasan Sarawak.

Present to give away the prizes was Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, who was accompanied by Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Assistant Minister of Resource Planning Datuk Naroden Majais and Pantai Damai assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.

A total of eight categories had their finals yesterday, among them the 1km Men’s 30 paddler, Men’s 15 paddler and Men’s 20 paddler.

The Sarawak Regatta this year was held on a larger scale as it included side events such as the Dragon Boat Race which attracted paddlers from Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Brunei, Taiwan and Indonesia.

The grounds of Kuching Waterfront were also filled with other programmes such as the Malaysian Crafts Promotion and Food Festival, Eatof Food Festival and the ‘Gendang Melayu’ competition.

The annual event saw various teams participating.

It is en route to being an international event in the coming years as hinted by Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem during his speech at the launch of the event on Saturday.

The finale of the Sarawak Regatta or Dragon Boat Race made the whole Kuching Waterfront area jam-packed with spectators.

Around 10,000 people attended.

The event was graced by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the morning session.

Among other VVIPs present were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib, Adenan and wife Puan Sri Dato Jamilah Anu, Jabu, Abang Johari, Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan and Naroden.

The morning session also featured river swimming or Brooke Swim and Duck Catching Competition.

Visitors appeared thrilled and grateful that the weather was fine as it had been a very wet week. In fact, it was so hot that many were seen fanning themselves with paper fans, newspapers and even the day’s programmes (for those who are lucky enough to get a hold of them).

The swimming competition had an interesting twist as one of the participants swam in the wrong direction before turning back to the right way. It was hilarious as the crowd cheered him on.

The Duck Catching on the other hand had the crowd in stitches as the participants tried to out-swim and catch the ducks which obviously did not want to be caught.

The first 10 who caught the ducks emerged as winners and even got to keep the ducks. The ducks that eluded capture during the competition had to be recaptured with nets after the event, to make way for the boat races.

Guests of honour viewing the regatta from the ship ‘Sayang Sarawak’. — Photos by Muhd Rais Sanusi

(From left) Abang Johari, Taib, Ragad (partially hidden), Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Adenan and Jamilah waving from the boat during the race. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung

Members of Team Enraz Cahaya Zen celebrate after they were crowned the winner.

 

Paddlers rowing to the finishing line.

Jabu (left) presenting the challenge trophy to a representative of Enraz Cahaya Zen as Abang Johari (right) and others look on.

Participants trying their best to catch the ducks during the competition.