Dragon Boat Regatta Brings 80 Teams from 22 Countries to Kuching Waterfront
KUCHING, 23 October 2026 – Kuching Waterfront came alive today as the 12th Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta opened with a traditional eye-dotting ceremony attended by Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim bin Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, and Perlis Menteri Besar YAB Tuan Abu Bakar bin Hamzah, who also took part.
The regatta, running from 23 to 25 October, has drawn a record 80 teams from 22 countries, bringing approximately 2,450 paddlers to the Sarawak River for three days of international competition.
Also present at the ceremony were Princess Dana Firas of ICOMOS, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Datu Felicia Tan and other dignitaries and guests.
The eye-dotting ceremony is a longstanding dragon boat tradition symbolising the awakening of the dragon and wishing good fortune and success to the competing teams. It marked the start of the races, as paddlers prepared to take to the water in a test of strength, coordination and teamwork.
This year's line-up marks the event's most international edition yet, with seven countries making their debut: Liechtenstein, Vietnam, Cambodia, Argentina, Fiji, Moldova and Mexico. The growing international participation reflects dragon boat racing's appeal as a sport that brings people and cultures together through competition and camaraderie.
The 2026 regatta features seven race categories, including the Malaysia Closed Men 12's and International Senior Bs Open 12's for paddlers aged 50 and above. With the total cash prize doubled to RM200,000, the stakes are higher this year, promising plenty of action on the river.
Beyond the races, visitors can also explore the Sarawak Borneo Craft Festival, running from 23 October to 1 November, from 10am to 10pm. Launched alongside the regatta, the festival brings Borneo's creative heritage to the waterfront, with local crafts and handmade creations offering a cultural experience beyond the sporting action.
With dragon boat racing taking place over three days and the craft festival continuing into November, Kuching Waterfront is a lively destination for locals and visitors looking for a mix of sport, culture and community.
Come down to Kuching Waterfront from 23 to 25 October to cheer on the competing teams, soak in the excitement along the Sarawak River and browse the Borneo Craft Festival. Whether you're there for the races or to discover local crafts, there's plenty to enjoy by the waterfront.
