THIS HIGH ENOUGH?: A participant grabs the prize in a competition called ‘ang pau’ grabbing contest at Wong Nai Siong Historical Corridor, Sungei Merah Bazaar in Sibu. The event, held on Wednesday, was one of the many activities organised to celebrate Christmas. — Photo by Peter Boon
GOTCHA: Edward leaps and grabs the ‘ang pow’.
DIVING DUCKS: Revellers jump en masse into the Seduan River to catch the 100 ducks released into the river.
STEADY NOW: Revellers putting their catch onto a boat before going back to the water to catch more ducks.
HOW FAST CAN DUCKS SWIM?: Ducks outpacing the participants, leaving them grasping for air.
FEATHERY END: Edward shows his prized catch to The Borneo Post.
ONE FOR THE ALBUM: A Santa Claus and Santarina take time off to pose for a photo session.
Chung Ngiok Kwong
SIBU: Some 1,000 people had an adrenalin rush on Christmas Day as dozens of revellers took the leap to plunge some 20 feet into Seduan River here.
The acrobatic stunt at Wong Nai Siong Historical Corridor in Sungei Merah bazaar filled the satellite town with frenzied cheer and thunderous applause.
The revellers were trying their luck to grab an ‘ang pow’ (red packet) dangled from a hoisted metal pole, upping the ‘ante’ for Christmas revelry.
The contenders, mostly clad in shorts, walked along the suspended narrow and slippery wooden pole towards the target.
Many were spotted losing their balance upon reaching the tip of the pole and fell into the river.
Two boats were on stand-by to pick them up from the water.
Stoutly built Edward Lai, 26, was among the few participants making the grade.
Edward skilfully balanced along the pole before jumping into the air like a panther to rip off the red packet before plunging into the river.
The fun-filled event was the brainchild of a local businessman, Chung Ngiok Kwong, to add a skip, and jump, the Yuletide celebration here.
Chung, 68, disclosed that there were 20 red packets up for grabs.
The drizzle did not dampen the mood as crowds gathered there as early as 8.30am, and by 10am, the crowd had swelled to a mammoth size.
The programme started at 10.30am with a duck-catching competition.
Pandemonium broke loose as dozens of participants suddenly emerged from the crowd and jumped into the Seduan river.
Some 100 ducks were released into the water. Edward had a ‘windfall’ as he caught several ducks besides winning the red packet.
“I participated in this event last year and also won some prizes,” recalled the spunky lad, who hails from a longhouse in Kanowit.
He had been resident here for many years, working as a labourer.
Meanwhile, Chung, 68, told The Borneo Post at the scene that the event would be organised again next year.
“It was first organised some four years ago as I wanted to further excite the Christmas celebration here,” he said.
“Besides the 100 ducks, I also gave out 4,000 ‘kei nui koh’ (mini baked egg cakes),” he added.
Santa Claus and Santarinas went around giving out goodies to the crowd.
Many spectators gave the thumbs-up to the event, calling it to be made an annual affair.
“This will certainly liven up the Christmas mood here,” a spectator, surnamed Lau, enthused.