PADAWAN: The Padawan Raft Safari 2026 has crossed the 100-team mark, with 101 teams already registered ahead of the event on October 3 and 4.
Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Chairman, Tan Kai, said this year’s edition would also introduce the Rafting Experience Day, or Fun Ride, on October 3 to open the rafting experience to a wider group of participants.
He said the non-competitive activity would allow families, corporate groups, first-time rafters, adventure enthusiasts and visitors from outside Sarawak to experience rafting without the pressure of competition.
The Fun Ride will start from Kampung Danu and finish at Kampung Git.
“We hope this will open up rafting and river tourism to a much wider audience.
“For MPP, Padawan Raft Safari is more than a rafting event. It is a platform to showcase Padawan’s natural beauty, culture and community, and to position Padawan as a destination for adventure, nature and community-based tourism.
“Through this event, participants will have the opportunity to experience these assets first-hand as they travel through communities along the Sungai Sarawak Kiri,” he said.
He said this at a press conference on Padawan Raft Safari 2026 at Dewan Majlis, MPP here today.
Meanwhile, organising committee chairman, Tito Grabo Teyok, said the official race on October 4 would feature five categories covering distances ranging from 15km to 40km.
While the categories will start from different locations, all participants will finish at Kampung Git.
The 40km Kayak Category will flag off from Kampung Annah Rais, while the 32km Raft Open Category will start from Kampung Temurang.
The 22km Raft Government Category and 22km Raft Hotel, Tour and NGO Category will start from Kampung Danu, while the 15km Raft Women Category will begin from Kampung Semadang.
The total prize pool this year is RM20,300, including trophies.
Tito said Padawan Raft Safari 2026 was also part of the Borneo Raft Safari League, giving eligible competitors the opportunity to earn league points.
The event will also serve as the final event of the league.
Registration remains open until September 2, with interested teams able to register through the Borneo Raft Safari website.
On preparations, he said safety remained the organisers’ top priority given the long-distance river routes and several starting locations.
“As the race involves long-distance river routes and several starting locations, our preparation covers road management, river safety, marshal communication, emergency response and coordination with relevant agencies and local communities.
“We are committed to ensuring that the event is conducted in a safe, professional and well-coordinated manner,” he said.
