20th Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari to be a grander affair

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Fedrick (right) chairing the committee meeting. At second right is Kapit Deputy Resident Zul Usop.

KAPIT: The 20th edition of the Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari on April 10-12 is expected to be a grander affair.

Kapit Resident Fedrick John George said for the men’s open category, the top six cash prizes are RM3,000, RM2,500, RM1,500, RM800, RM700 and RM600 respectively, while those who come in seventh to 10th will receive RM500 each.

For the men’s closed, freestyle, women’s closed and paddle boat categories, the top six cash prizes are RM2,000, RM1,500, RM1,000, RM700, RM600 and RM500 respectively, while those who come in seventh to 10th will receive RM400 each.

The prize for the best decorated raft will be decided later.

“This year the first leg of the Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari is from Rumah Alan, Sungai Sekeroh Oyan, Mujong on April 11 and on the second day, the flag-off is from Rumah Weng, Nanga Sempurau, Sungai Mujong, Baleh River to the Kapit express passenger terminal,” he said during a recent meeting on the race here.

Side events planned include the Kapit Fest, mini regatta, traditional games, exhibition booths and the sale of handicrafts, as well as mountain bike challenge and big bike show.

The mini regatta under the Kapit Division Power Boat Association will involve 18hp tunnel boats, 30hp tunnel boats and 40hp tunnel boats.

Fedrick added that the international rafting competition was initially planned for April 3-5 but this was postponed due to Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

A major tourism for this town, the three-day event offers participants the rare opportunity to stay overnight in two Iban longhouses.

Organised by the Kapit Resident’s Office in collaboration with the Kapit Tourism Taskforce, all government agencies and selected non-governmental organisations, it is supported by the Tourism Ministry, Sarawak Tourism Board, Social Development Ministry and Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board.

The deadline to submit entries is noon on April 3.

Entry forms are available from the Kapit Resident’s Office.

Contact the secretariat on 084-796230 / 084-796445, or via www.kapitro.sarawak.gov.my.