The 41st Melaka International Dragon Boat Festival closed on Sunday with 115 teams on the water. Domestic paddlers were joined by crews from five countries for two days of racing at Jeti Quayside in Banda Hilir.
Saturday opened with an 8km endurance race, starting early in the morning. Sunday brought sprint finals across five categories: Open, Women, Mixed, Masters Open, and Corporate, with the closing ceremony held at the end of the afternoon.
Riverbanks lined with spectators
Both sides of the Melaka River filled with spectators throughout the weekend. Khairunnisa Ibno Masooda, Director of Business Development and Products at PPSPM, said the festival is more than a water sports competition.
“The presence of these participants helps further boost tourism in Melaka,” she said at the closing ceremony.
The event was organised jointly by the Tourism Promotion Division of the Melaka Chief Minister’s Office, the Melaka Dragon Boat Association, and Perbadanan Pembangunan Sungai dan Pantai Melaka (PPSPM).
Worth returning for next year
The dragon boat races take place on the Melaka River in late June each year, making them one of the most reliable fixtures on the city’s events calendar. Sunday’s sprint finals are the most spectator-friendly session, with racing from early morning through the afternoon.
For elevated views, the pedestrian bridges above the race corridor are the best spots. Waterfront cafés along the river offer shade and a clear sightline if you want to stay for several rounds.
After the racing, the Melaka River Cruise runs its regular service along the same heritage waterway. The Melaka River Festival continues through September with more events across all three districts of the state.
