Tag: Sarawak Regatta

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Sarawak Regatta 2016

Sarawak Regatta 2016

December 23, 2016

The Kuching Waterfront has been thronged with so many people for two weeks by having the International Dragon Boat 2016 and Sarawak Regatta 2016, from 11 – 13th, 18 – 20th November!  This event is only open for countries in the Borneo islands, which has such a long history of 145 years, started from 1872 under the rule of the James Brooke. What is the difference between Dragon Boat and Regatta? Dragon Boat is a race of 800m, and Regatta is either 1000 or 1500m. Also, Dragon Boat consists of 12 members including 1 drummer per team, and Regatta, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30 paddlers with no dreamer.  Although we were caught in a heavy rain halfway, the paddlers still performed greatly together with no flinching, and that exactly embodied “The Race for Harmony”, the theme of the event. This year’s Raja Sungai (The King of the River) is Cahaya Zen!

At first, we were only thinking of taking pictures and videos of the race from the bank of Sarawak River but actually, the staff were kind enough to let us do it on the motor boat which was very close to the race! Lucky for us! It was much more exciting than watching from the river bank. The performance of paddlers rowing a boat was really powerful with good team spirit. Moreover, they invited us to join one of the boats which then formed a line at the starting point. It was just a few minutes before the race begun, it demonstrated the broad-mindedness of the paddlers. We would love to come again to watch another great race next year!  Thanks to all teams, event organizers, and everyone who came to watch Sarawak Regatta 2016 and see you in 2017!

【Sarawak Regatta 2016】

クチンのウォーターフロントでは、11月11～13日のサラワク・インターナショナル・ドラゴンボートレースに引き続き、18～20日はサラワク・レガッタが開催されました！こちらの大会は、ボルネオ島内の国のチームのみの参加となっており、なんとホワイトラジャの支配下にあった1872年から145年も続いている歴史ある大会です。ドラゴンボートとの違いは何なのでしょう？ドラゴンボートは距離が800メートルなのに対し、レガッタは1キロまたは1.5キロの距離を競争します。また、ドラゴンボートは1人のドラマーを含めた12人構成で、レガッタはドラマー抜きの、7，10，15，20，30人と様々な構成があります。途中豪雨に見舞われることもありましたが、それにも負けずに息の合ったパフォーマンスを見せる選手たちの姿は、まさにテーマである”レース・フォー・ハーモニー”を体現化してくれました！今年のラジャ・スンガイ（キング・オブ・ザ・リバー）はチームCahaya Zen！

最初は川の岸辺からレースの様子を写真・動画撮影するつもりでしたが…なんとラッキーなことに、運営スタッフのみなさんのご厚意でモーターボートに同乗させていただき、間近で観戦・撮影することができました！あれほど至近距離でレースを見られるとは思ってもいなかったので、とても興奮しました。ボートを漕ぐ選手たちの動きはチームワーク抜群で息ぴったり！！近くから見るボートレースは、川の岸辺から見るよりも迫力満点で圧倒されました。更に、スタートラインで待機している選手が乗っているボートにまで乗せてもらいました。試合直前にも関わらず、選手たちの心の余裕と優しさを感じました。来年もまた見に来たいと思います！選手の皆さん、スタッフの皆さん、そしてお越しいただいたすべての皆さんに感謝しています。本当にありがとうございました！

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Written by

Kazumi Matsuo
Kanon Ushio
Japanese Intern in Sarawak Tourism Board

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Tourism Malaysia

Sarawak Regatta 2011

September 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Many civilisations are associated to rivers, from the mighty Mesopotamia, with the twin rivers of the Euphrates and Tigris, to Egypt, and the Nile River. Rivers served as the main method of transportation, linking towns, cities and countries together. Though the importance of rivers may have waned with the advent of air transport, there are many festivals and rituals that celebrate the importance of rivers in the development of human civilisation.

Sarawak is a state of rivers, and is home to the longest river in the country, the Rejang River. Rivers still play an important role in transportation in Sarawak, and also its capital city, Kuching. As such, it comes as no surprise that the city has a traditional regatta that celebrates the Sarawak River that dates back to the founding of the Sarawak Kingdom by Captain James Brooke, the White Rajah.

Sarawak Regatta

Sarawak Regatta 2011

This traditional regatta continues to be celebrated, and this year, the Sarawak Regatta 2011 will take place between 15th and 18th September at the Kuching Waterfront, Kuching. In addition to the various boat races, including the King of the River competition, this year’s edition will also feature the Wakeboard World Cup, a sporting activity that is akin to surfboarding, albeit with smaller surfs and smaller boards. All throughout the four days, there will also be several side events, from the usual trade and food fair and cultural shows, to more interesting fare like a Malaysian craft exhibition and the Sarawak Regatta 2011 Kebaya Queen beauty pageant.

For further information, visit the Sarawak Regatta 2011 website at www.sarawakregatta.com

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Tourism Malaysia

Sarawak Regatta

Sarawak Regatta has been a premier event with a distinct historical and cultural significant. It was held as early as before 1872 and was organized as an annual event taking place during the New Year. Sarawak Gazette had recorded in 1872, that the annual Regatta that year was held, on 29th February 1872 at the Sarawak River infront of the Astana. The European community in Sarawak and in the neighboring countries were invited to the Astana – for breakfast – before the race. Keen competition were also recorded for the Rajah Cup.

The boat ‘Sri Matu’ built and manned by the Melanaus, was reported as the winning boat. The Gazette records provided the indication that Regatta had been an important social event organized annually for social integration and goodwill for the people of Sarawak. Prominent Political figure, the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Ong Kee Hui, recorded that Raja Charles Brooke used to send his yacht “Maimunah1 to outstation to bring in the various “Tuan Residents” to join in the social event.

The tradition of holding the annual Regatta in the Sarawak River continued through the Colonial period and into the post-Malaysia period. During these periods the Regatta was organized by Resident and District Office with funds from the Government while the rest of the fund was raised through public donations.

The day programme include races for traditional longboats, dragon boats and other activities, like the running of totolizers, climbing greasing poles, catching ducks and “pillow fights”. Racing boats from outstations made it a grand affair and also a great occasion for families from outside the State Capital to visit Kuching town.

The 2011 event is made more significant as the regatta concides with the Malaysia Day Celebration; 16th September, the day when Sarawak and Sabah came together with the states of Malaya to form the Federation of Malaysia.

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Tourism Malaysia

Sarawak Wakeboard World Cup 2011

The 2011 Sarawak Wakeboard World Cup is held in conjunction with the 2011 Sarawak Regatta for the first time this year with the Regatta being run from Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 of September and the Wakeboard World Cup from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 September.  The total number of spectators expected over the 4 days of the water festival is expected to exceed 100,000.

This international event will include Wakeboard, Waterski Slalom, Shortboard and Jump. The spectacular Stars of Florida Show Team will also be involved. MasterCraft will again provide both the boats and critical back-up service required to make this a very special World Cup season !