Brunei-Muara - The Serasa beach was thick with festivities yesterday morning, with large crowds gathering on the beach to watch various activities held to mark the Water Taxi Boat and Speed Boat Race Festival, organised in conjunction with His Majesty‘s 61st birthday celebrations.
The annual festival took place at the Serasa Water Sports Complex, where Minister of the Ministry of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohd Yusof was the guest of honour.
Organisers of the traditional festival included government agencies and private sector.
The first race, which was the Traditional Boat Race with 10 peddlers, was flagged off by Brunei Muara District Officer, Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yussof bin Bakar, to mark the officially opening the festival.
The guest of honour also flagged off the Fibreglass Boat Race between ministries, consisting of 20 peddlers.
Adding to the festival ambience was a Karaoke Competition. This year, the festival saw participants from Kuching and Miri.
The boat race comprised two events, namely the Traditional Open Boat Race and the Fibreglass Boat Race for various ministries.
The Traditional Open Boat Race was split into five categories, depending on the number‘- of peddlers ranging from 10 to 30 peddlers, whereas the Fibreglass Boat Race consisted of two categories of 10 and 15 peddlers.
The event also featured six categories of the Open Speed Boat Race, which ranged from speed boats with 30 to 60 horsepower and Formula 2 speed boats.
Crowds from Kampong Ayer came all the way down to Serasa, braving traffic and heat, to watch the Water Taxi Boat Race which was opened for boats ranging from 30 to 85 horsepower.
One of the most anticipated races was the Jet Ski Race, which featured jet skis with speed powers ranging from 650cc to 1200cc. Another popular race for the crowd was the Kayak Race, which was opened to individuals in the K1 and K2 categories, and for ministries in the TK1 and TK2 categories.
The annual festival is one of the most traditional and anticipated events of the year. Over the years, the festival has only grown bigger in terms of participants, races and crowds.
Participation in the races used to require a fee. However, in efforts to attract more people, registration for the races is now free of charge.
Formerly held at the Brunei River, in those days, Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa‘adul Khairi Waddien took part in the boat races. The change in venue was mainly due to security, logistics and safety reasons.
"I hope this event will continue as a traditional event that will be carried on from generation to generation," said chairman and organiser, Haji Maidin bin Haji Ahmad.
He added that he would also like to see an increase in participation from neighbouring countries in near future.
Tiah Eng Beng, a participant in the Speed Boat Race for boats with 40 horsepower, is a regular participant. He was racing in his own power boat, No. 37.
Winner of last year‘s Speed Boat Race for boats with 50 horsepower, Ismail Haji Kabon, 41, said that he had had seven years of experience in these races with an Fl driving licence for driving his boat named Seri Laila 889.
"The festival provides a venue for people of all ages and all over Brunei to come together to interact and socialise," said spectator Kassim bin Haji Musli who came down to Serasa Beach with his family, especially to watch the races and enjoy the crowded atmosphere.
The festival day ended with a prize giving presentation to the winners of each category by the guest of honour.
Ismail Hj Kabon, the defending champion for last year‘s Speed Boat Race for 50 horsepower boats, won the title again this year for the same race. For his efforts, he was given cash prize of $350 and a trophy.
The Prime Minister‘s Office won first place and cash prize of $255 and trophy for the Fibreglass Boat Race among ministries for 15 peddlers.
For the 1200cc Jet Ski Race, Christopher Keasberry emerged as winner and received cash prize of $250 and a trophy.
Source: www.brudirect.com (16 Agustus 2007)
