Serayu River fitting site for white-water rafting

By Mulkan Salmona

BANJARNEGARA (JP): The Serayu is the longest river in Central Java but has no visitors to speak of at most times of the year. That all changed last month as young people from throughout the country descended on its waters for the first national white- water rafting competition.

Teams from Jakarta, Bogor, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Malang, Medan, Manado, Padang, Jambi and Toraja arrived not to fish, do their washing or bathe, the river's usual uses. They wanted to befriend the Serayu, to ride rapids and to master its strong currents.

During the National White-water Rafting Championship 1997 from Nov. 23 to Nov. 27, hundreds of people living along the riverbank came out to watch the teams set off in their rubber rafts, battling natural and manmade challenges.

Teams representing their provinces, nature clubs, university alumni and sponsors showed their skills in riding the rapids, steering their crafts, resisting currents and traveling as far as eight kilometers from Tunggoro village in Wonosobo regency to Singomerto in Banjarnegara.

Spectators greeted them with a raucous reception along the way.

The competition was organized by the Indonesian White-water Rafting Federation and the Marine Corps, in conjunction with the 52nd anniversary of the corps' founding.

Teams were judged in slalom, speed and rescue classes.

Arwana from the Marines triumphed in the amateur category from 48 teams.

They won the Indonesian Arung Jeram Cup and a cash prize of Rp 2 million.

Victorious from the eight professional teams was the Arus Liar from Kompas daily. It received the Marine Corps Cup and Rp 2 million.

The other Arus Liar team sponsored by The Jakarta Post, seeded and considered among the favorites, finished fourth after being disqualified in the rescue event.

It nevertheless attracted special attention from locals because one of its members was teleserial actor and commercial model, Ajie Massaid.

Despite heavy rain in the final stages, the competition was a success, providing a great attraction for the communities in Wonosobo and Banjarnegara.

Delayed in the past by financial and permit problems, the competition was well-organized and did much to further the federation's goal of popularizing the sport among young people.

The event also showed that the Serayu, previously only used for irrigation and hydroelectric projects, has potential for water sports and adventure tourism.