New event kicks off 24th edition of Kapit-Baleh Raft Safari
KAPIT: The 24th edition of Kapit- Baleh Raft Safari started yesterday along Sungai MujongSungai Baleh and will end at Kapit Express Terminal, Rajang River tomorrow (Apr 7).
A new event called Rainforest Baleh- Kapit Run was held early yesterday morning at Rumah Lugat covering between 5km and 12km depending on the categories in the competition.
The first leg of the safari today ( Apr 6) is from Rumah Lugat Anak Berain, Nanga Semawang, Sungai Majau Baleh while on the second day (Apr 7), the f lag off will be from Rumah Ekau Anak Ubong, Nanga Mujong, Baleh River to end at Kapit Express Passenger Terminal.
The trip from Rumah Lugat at Nanga Semawang, Sungai Majau to Kapit town by longboat takes between three and four hours along Sunagi Majau, Sungai Mujong, Baleh River and the mighty Batang Rajang.
The distance from Rumah Lugat to Kapit town is about 57.3km. Rafters get to enjoy pristine clear water of Sungai Majau and Iban longhouses along the rivers.
These longhouse comprising some 21 families or doors can also be accessed from a logging company’s road..
Rumah Ekau located about 28km from Kapit town on the other hand has some 15 families or doors. The journey from Rumah Ekau to Kapit town is about one and a half hour by longboat or between two and three hours by raft.
The raft safari is Kapit’s major annual tourism event held along the tributary of Baleh Rive. Participants have to paddle down Rajang River to Kapit Express Terminal which is the finishing point.
It is organised by Kapit Resident Office in collaboration with Sarawak Tourism Board, the state Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports and various government agencies in Kapit division.
Other activities planned to coincide with this year’s safari include fishing competition, powerboat competit ions in various categories such as 18hp, 30hp, and 40hp Tunnel boats.
At t r ac t ive c a sh p r i z e s amounting to RM48,200 and challenge trophies await winners of the various categories in the rafting competition, including Men’s Bamboo Open, Men’s Bamboo Closed, Free Style, Women’s Bamboo Clo s e d , Paddle Boat Category and Best Decorated Raft category.
Winners in the Men’s Open and the Paddle Boat Category ( with the f lag- of f at the first station) will take home RM3,000 cash prize and a trophy while the first and second runner- up will get RM2,500 and RM1,500 respect ively plus a trophy each.
Meanwhile, prizes for fourth to sixth placing are RM800, RM700 and RM600 respectively and those in seventh to tenth placings will receive RM500 and a trophy each.
For Men’s Bamboo Closed, Free Style and Women’s Bamboo Closed , the champion team will receive RM2,000 and a trophy whi le RM1,500 and a trophy await the second team and the team in third place wi l l get RM1,000 and a trophy.
Teams in fourth to sixth place wi l l get RM700, RM600 and RM500 respectively plus a trophy each while those in seventh to tenth places will receive RM400 and a trophy each.
The Best Decorated Raft will receive RM1,000 and a trophy, while second place and third place will receive RM800 and RM500 with a trophy.
Judging criteria include concept of traditional material used and design. In addition the raft must reach the finishing point. Participating rafts that fail to reach the finishing point will be disqualified.