HULU BERANG: Strong currents, winding bends and shallow stretches put 46 paddlers to the test at the inaugural Little Amazon of Terengganu River Challenge (LARC), where competitors battled over a 10km course along Sungai Berang on Sunday.
The event drew national-level athletes, former national paddlers and competitors from Johor, Negeri Sembilan and the Klang Valley, with four categories contested in the debut edition.
Organised by Jenoba Outdoor, the race used sit-on-top double kayaks (SOT Double), with competitors starting at Jenoba Camp Site in Belukar Bukit before finishing at CBT Kalang Rengas.
A Demanding Course on a Class 1 River
Race director Mohd Najib Alias said the river, classified as a Class 1 river, presented a demanding course despite its classification, requiring participants to combine physical endurance with technical paddling skills.
“Completing the 10km course was no easy feat. Apart from physical endurance, participants had to deal with strong currents, winding bends and natural obstacles. Shallow sections at certain points also required additional effort to reach the finish line,” he said.
Building Malaysia’s Competitive Kayaking Scene
Former national coach Muhammad Hakimi Abdullah, who finished runner-up in the Elite Mixed category alongside Nur Sarah Adiba Suhaimi, said events such as LARC could help strengthen Malaysia’s competitive kayaking scene.
He said the country had the potential to achieve podium finishes at Asian-level competitions and the Olympic Games, but more opportunities were needed for athletes to develop their abilities through grassroots programmes and domestic competition.
“Malaysia has the potential to produce athletes capable of competing at a higher level. However, development programmes and opportunities to compete locally need to be expanded to help athletes improve their performance.
“Hulu Berang has the logistical access and facilities needed to host such events, while offering a distinctive challenge for kayak racing. The venue deserves a place on the national competition calendar,” he said.
Hakimi previously served as coach of the national canoeing squad at the 2011, 2013 and 2015 SEA Games.
Little Amazon of Terengganu River Challenge Results
In the Elite Men’s category, Hassan Al Basri Ali and Muhammad Mustakim Zulkarnain secured the title in 1 hour, 15 minutes and 53 seconds. The pair had previously won silver at the 2024 International Canoe Federation (ICF) World Championships in the Philippines. The host team finished second, while Kamikaze Buga took third place.
Mohammad Zulhaiqal Mohd Nasri and Muhammad Aizat Ishak won the Men’s Open category in 1 hour, 16 minutes and two seconds.
In the Elite Mixed category, Tuan Muhammad Hidzam Tuan Dolah and Nur Sarah Adiba Suhaimi claimed the title in 1 hour, 15 minutes and four seconds.
Nur Aina Natasha Riduan and Ahmad Haziman Ahmad Rozi emerged champions in the Mixed Open category.
Strong Local Support Paves the Way for 2027
Away from the start line, local residents gathered along the riverbank with handmade signs to cheer on passing crews.
Prizes were presented at the closing ceremony at Dewan FELCRA In-Situ, with the Elite Men’s champions taking home RM1,200.
Najib said the encouraging response to the inaugural event had prompted organisers to consider introducing additional categories for next year’s edition.
