By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 3: The Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta 2025 has set a new record with 2,143 paddlers from 22 countries, making it the largest turnout in the history of the annual event.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the strong response this year reflected the regatta’s growing reputation and its positive spillover to the local economy.
“In terms of numbers, this is the most we have ever seen. Last year it was below 2,000, but this year we exceeded that.
“With some teams bringing along their families, partners and supporters, the multiplier effect for tourism is very good,” he told a press conference after officiating the Sarawak Regatta Presentation of Sponsorship Mock Cheques at the Waterfront Hotel here today.
Abdul Karim highlighted that the surge in participation will fill up hotels across Kuching during the two festival weekends.
“You can check around all the hotels within Kuching’s Golden Triangle area, whether there is any room left. Harbour View Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, you name it, even the budget hotels and AirBNBs—they are all fully booked. So it’s good for everybody,” he added.
The 11th Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta will be held from Oct 24 to 26 at Kuching Waterfront as the first weekend highlight of the Sarawak Regatta–Kuching Waterfront Festival 2025.
According to the official fact sheet, over 60 teams will compete across seven categories including International Premier Open 20’s, International Premier Open 12’s, International Premier Mixed 12’s, International Premier Women 12’s, International Masters Open 12’s (40 years and above), International Cancer Survivors Open and the newly introduced ‘Battle of the Dragons’ (Dragon Tug) 6’s.
This year also sees participation from several new countries such as England, Ireland, Canada, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Macao and Mongolia.
Other countries returning to the regatta include America, Spain, Japan, Iran, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Cyprus, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia (Sarawak, Sabah, Penang and Kuala Lumpur).
The regatta offers a total prize purse of RM100,000, along with trophies and medals.
The Sarawak Regatta–Kuching Waterfront Festival 2025 will continue on the second weekend (Oct 31–Nov 2) with the Sarawak Regatta races, culminating in the Raja Sungai title on Nov 2, to be witnessed by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar. – DayakDaily
