Rowing Competition Enlivens Jakarta's Anniversary and Promotes East Jakarta's BKT

Hundreds of students from nature lover clubs (Sispala) across various schools in Jakarta took part in a rowing competition to enliven the 499th anniversary of Jakarta. A total of 262 students participated in this event. We hope it will become a routine annual agenda and a highlight of Jakarta’s anniversary, so the public will remember that there is a rowing competition during the celebrations, said Fauzi, Assistant for Economic Development of the East Jakarta City Government, at the Banjir Kanal Timur (BKT) in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, on Friday. The competition, which runs until Sunday, 28 June 2026, serves not only as a platform for water sports competition but also as a means of environmental education and an effort to introduce the BKT as a tourist destination and public recreational space. This is not just about socialising water sports to the community, but it also carries the message that we all must love nature and preserve the beauty of the environment and water, Fauzi stated. According to him, the activity conveys an important message about environmental conservation amidst Jakarta’s preparations to welcome its five-century milestone in 2027. Since the afternoon, the BKT area was crowded with participants making preparations and practising rowing before the competition began. To ensure the safety of the activity, the committee, together with relevant agencies, deployed a rescue team from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and fire brigade personnel to anticipate emergency conditions or health issues among participants. Meanwhile, Adjie Rimbawan, Chairman of the Nature Lover Student Alumni Forum (Fasta), said that student enthusiasm for the rowing competition continues to increase compared to the previous year. In the 2025 event, the number of participants was recorded at 180, whereas in 2026 it increased to 262 participants. Actually, the enthusiasm is very high; if we had not closed registration, the number could have reached 300, Adjie revealed. The increase in participants was also accompanied by the addition of competition categories. Besides canoe, kayak, and rafting categories, the committee introduced the stand up paddle (SUP) category, a sport involving paddling while standing on a board, at this year’s event. Adjie views the BKT as having great potential to develop into a water sports-based tourism area capable of driving economic activity for the community, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) around the location.