By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 3: The iconic Sarawak Regatta-Kuching Waterfront Festival is set to make a spectacular return from Oct 24 to Nov 2, 2025, promising a 10-day extravaganza of thrilling river races, cultural performances, creative showcases and vibrant community celebrations along the Sarawak River.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the much-anticipated annual festival will once again highlight Sarawak’s rich heritage, unity and competitive spirit while boosting the local tourism and creative economy.
“The festival will kick off with the Eye-Dotting Ceremony and Paddle Presentation on Oct 24 at 3pm, officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg,” he said during the Sarawak Regatta Presentation of Sponsorship Mock Cheques and press conference at The Waterfront Hotel here today.
The first weekend will feature the 11th Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta, taking place from Oct 24 to 26, which will see teams from around the world compete in seven categories, including the newly introduced Battle of the Dragons (Dragon Tug) 6’s.
A total of 62 teams from 21 countries, including newcomers from England, Ireland, Canada, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Macau and Mongolia, will compete, bringing together 2,143 paddlers vying for a share of RM100,000 in prize money.
The second weekend will shift the spotlight to the Sarawak Regatta, running from Oct 31 to Nov 2, with 43 races across 18 categories.
The highlight will be the prestigious Raja Sungai race on Nov 2, witnessed by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and attended by the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
This year introduces new 300-metre races to encourage participation from civil servants, with safety jackets made mandatory for all participants. The overall prize pool for the regatta stands at RM433,500, with the Raja Sungai champion taking home RM30,000 and a challenge trophy.
Team registration will open on Oct 6 and close on Oct 17 at 12pm, and can be done through the Sarawak Rivers Board’s official website. A team managers’ briefing and draw will take place on Oct 22 at 9am at the SMA Seminar Room, Level 5, Yayasan Sarawak Building, Jalan Masjid, Kuching.
Beyond the water sports, the Kuching Waterfront Festival 2025 will feature Cultural Stage Performances from Oct 24 to 30, the Sarawak Entrepreneurs Showcase and Sarawak Kitchen from Oct 24 to Nov 2, the Borneo Craft Festival throughout the festival period, and the Sarawak Malay Drum Festival from Oct 30 to Nov 2.
The Borneo Craft Festival, with 42 booths, aims to attract 105,000 visitors and RM1.8 million in sales, while the Sarawak Malay Drum Festival (Oct 30–Nov 2) will feature traditional competitions and performances by artists from Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
The Sarawak Regatta–Kuching Waterfront Festival 2025 is supported by major corporate sponsors including PETROS (RM500,000, Platinum), PETRONAS (RM400,000, Gold), Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petra Energy (RM100,000 each, Silver), ENEOS Xplora Malaysia Limited and Ta Ann Holding Berhad (RM50,000 each, Bronze), with additional support from Hock Peng Realty Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Plantation Berhad, and Borneo Housing Mortgage Finance Berhad.
Also present at the press conference were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (Tourism) Datuk Sebastian Ting; Kuching Resident Dayang Joanita Azizah; Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) deputy permanent secretary Julin Aben; PETRONAS general manager Norazibah Md Rabu; PETROS Senior Vice President of Human Capital, Ismail Said; Petra Energy’s Head of Group Corporate Communication, Alicia Ann; and Sarawak Energy’s General Manager of Corporate Communication, Elaine Tan. – DayakDaily
