KAPIT: Some 29 teams have confirmed participation in this year’s Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari competition, to be held on April 7 and 8.
The five main categories for the two-day competition are Men’s Bamboo Open, Men’s Bamboo Closed (Inter Department), Women’s Bamboo Open, Free Style and the Paddle Boat category that is opened to both men and women.
This year sees an increase of three participating teams as compared to 26 participations last year.
Of the 29 teams participating in the event, nine are in the Men’s Bamboo Open, eight in the Men’s Closed (Inter Department, Local Clubs and Associations), seven in the Women’s Bamboo Open, three in the Paddle Boat and two in the Free Style.
This year’s event sees teams from outside the division, including from Sibu and Kuching, taking part. Meanwhile, several side events have been planned to coincide with the two-day competition, including a powerboat race organised by the Kapit Division Powerboat Association that will see participations from as far as Brunei, Limbang, Bintulu, Sarikei, Kanowit, Song, Kampung Bungan and KRT Kertau from Sibu.
Other side activities include the Kapit Fest that see the setting up of food stalls, games, aerobic exercise, blowpipe competition, cooking competition, Kapit Got Talent, Kapit Strong Man, Food Handler Course, concert, big bike auto show and children colouring contest.
The first flag off point for this year’s raft safari is the 23-door Rumah Naga Anak Sulok at Nanga Merating, Bena, a tributary of Sungai Sut.
The trip from Rumah Naga at Nanga Merating, Bena by longboat takes about 3-4 hours, passing along the Rajang River, Baleh River, Sungai Sut and Sungai Bena.
The rafters will be able to enjoy the pristine clear water of Sungai Bena and Sut while at the same time able to see a scenic view of the Iban longhouses along the river.
Meanwhile the second flag off point for the rafting race is at Rumah Bengau, also a 23-door longhouse located at Sungai Sut.
This year is the 23th series of the annual international rafting competition since it was introduced in 1996.
