Participants in action in last year’s Baram White Water Rafting Challenge.
KUCHING: The Baram White Water Rafting Challenge is still open to entries until Nov 28 – the eve of the competition – its organisers announced yesterday.
The challenge, which is organised by the Social Development Ministry and Miri Resident’s Office, will be held at Sungai Tinjar, Baram in Miri on Nov 29 with its route mapped from Long Aton to Long Luyang.
Those interested can contact Baram White Water Rafting Challenge secretariat at 082-440441/082-472573 or fax to 082-446360.
Apart from that, the Long Lama sub-district office can also be contacted via 085-771204/085-771203 or 013-8224501 (Louis Michael Balau).
According to the ministry’s principle assistant secretary Mering Wan, who contacted The Borneo Post yesterday, raft enthusiasts would not want to miss participating or watching this extreme sport as it would be packed with action, spills and thrills.
“Two categories will be contested for the challenge, namely the Men’s Team Open category and the Women’s Team Open category. Each team must have six members,” he added.
He also revealed that the total prize offered for the challenge is RM16,200 as participants of both the Men’s and Women’s Team Open stand a chance to walk away with RM2,000 in cash prize, a challenge trophy and medals — should they be crowned champions.
First and second runners-up for both categories, will be awarded with a RM1,500 cash prize (plus trophies and medals) and RM1,000 (plus trophies and medals) respectively.
“Entrance fee for this challenge is only RM50 while fee is non-refundable. All teams have until Nov 28 to register for this challenge,” said Mering.
All rafts competing in the challenge should be made from bamboo or wood or a combination of materials allowed.
“Please note that the design and construction of rafts should conform as close as possible to their intended use. Specification must be drawn up as these rafts may be subjected to withstand the demands of going through rapids of up to at least Grade 4, as raft failures can become a source of disaster,” he commented.
Meanwhile, organisers of the challenge also announced that rafts are also available for sale at RM300 apiece and those interested can contact Jarau Braim at 019-4899339 for more details.