BY NURIN PATRA & NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS
KUCHING: The annual Padawan Raft Safari which will kick off on Oct 20 promises a thrilling adventure river safari on a raft.
Additionally, this 21st edition of the Padawan Raft Safari will also dole out total cash prizes and trophies worth RM19,000 to all the participants.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stated the significant prize pool underscores the competitive spirit and recognition of strength and skills of all the participants.
“After years of observing the safari, it is clear that participants seek more than just the prize and money. They want to enjoy themselves and connect with the kampung folks and meeting up old friends,” he said during the press conference held at Baitul Makmur II Building yesterday (August 6).
Attractive prizes await participants for different categories. For the Open Category, the kayak champion will receive RM500 with trophy, while Government Agency, Hotel, Tour Agency, Non-Govermental Organisations (NGO) and Women Open will each receive RM1,000 with a trophy. As for the Open Category rafting, the champion will take home the highest cash prize of RM1,500 and a trophy,” he said.
He recommended that this event would nurture the passion for water sports competition among the participants and visitors alike, whilst they would also enjoy and appreciate nature.
“To facilitate parking issues and avoid traffic congestion, transportation will be provided from Kampung Bawang to the finishing point at Kampung Git, where the grand closing ceremony will be held at 3.00 pm,” Karim said.
The event will start at various locations and at different timing to accommodate all the different categories.
For the Kayak Category (40KM), it will start at 7.30am at Kampung Annah, meanwhile for the Open Category (32KM) it starts at 8.30 am at Kampung.
As for the Government Agency, Hotel, Tour Agency & NGO categories (22KM), it will start at 9.30 am at Kampung Danu.
And lastly for the Women Open Category (15KM), it commences at 10.30 am at Kampung Semedang.
For more information about the Padawan Raft Safari 2024, visit www.padawanraft.com.
Registration is now open and on-going on its website from July 31 to September 20.
