I’d completely missed this story of the 17th May 2008, Saturday in the local paper, The Borneo Post! It’s a good thing that I spoke to Dennis Leong who asked me if I have read about it.
Now I’ll have to track down this Abang Kamaluddin Abang Ahmad and have a good chat and paddle with him. Here’s proof once again that “old” guys like us rocks! Right Geoff and Mel?
Well done Abang and I think Huey‘ll be glad to know that he’s not the only insane person in Asia!
Baleh to Kuching solo by kayak
By Ting Tieng Hee
KUCHING: Abang Kamaluddin Abang Ahmad paddled for two weeks on a kayak, overcome all challenges and obstacles on the way from Nanga Banyau Baleh before sailing safely into Kuching yesterday.
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It was an historic journey on water via a kayak … a solo expedition that was a teacher’s best way of celebrating Teachers’ Day yesterday.
The 49-year-old teacher also created a history of sort by becoming the first person in Sarawak to kayak from Balleh to Kuching in a 15-day journey covering more than 1,200 kilometres.
He arrived at the Kuching Waterfront at 2.10pm yesterday.
His achievement was shared by family members and officers from Sarawak Education Department’s Co-curriculum Division at Santubong, who were waiting for him at the waterfront.
Kamaluddin, who looked tired as he talked to reporters about his challenging feat, said he made 14 stops during the two-week journey from Nanga Banyau Baleh-Kapit, Kapit-Song, Song-Kanowit, Kanowit-Sibu, Sibu-Bitangor, Bitangor-Sarikei, Sarikei-Gerigat, Gerigat-Kabong, Kabong-Meludan, Meludan-Sebuyau. Sebuyau-Pendam, Pendam-Sambir, Sambir-Muara Tebas, Muara Tebas-Sejingkat and Sejingkat-Kuching Waterfront.
“During the journey, I faced various challenges such as strong currents, strong winds, swirling river currents, sea waves and came across crocodiles on four occasions in shallow river waters.
“However, I managed to overcome all challenges and obstacles to arrive safely in Kuching today,” said Kamaluddin yesterday.
He said although he had only five years of experience in kayaking, that did not deter him from proving his ability to kayak from Kapit to Kuching.
“My success is a special present for the teaching fraternity who celebrates Teachers’ Day today.
“I am also doing it for SK Abang Abdul Rahman Alumni and for Sarawak,” he said.
The father of five said he paddled for about five to eight hours daily, stopping only at night.
He is very grateful to the kampung folk at the stopovers for helping him and giving him words of encouragement.
“The longest time I paddled was nine hours, from Sarikei to Gerigat along the Rajang River.
“I must thank Saratok MP Jelaing Mersat for personally sponsoring my expedition and state assemblyman for Kalaka Abdul Wahab Aziz for their encouragement throughout the whole journey, my colleagues and superiors from Sarawak Education Department’s Co-Curriculum Division, family members, friends and relatives for their moral support,” said Kamaluddin.
Kamaluddin, who teaches at SK Abang Abdul Rahman in Saratok and is temporary attached with the Sarawak Education Department’s Co-Curriculum Division at Santubong, said he was not accompanied by anyone during the journey.
Throughout the trip he took only light food such as dry salty biscuits, chocolates and drinking water.
He said he had prepared for the expedition since 2005, and kayaked for three days to boost his confidence and stamina prior to commencing the trip in Kapit.
Kamaluddin had cycled solo from Limbang to Kuching before his latest feat and said this success had spurred him to dream of kayaking solo from Kota Kinabalu to Kuching and around Semenanjung Malaysia.
He had also gone kayaking in Padas in Sabah and Kedah.
“If there is a sponsorship, I would like to do this expedition (Kapit-Kuching) again and complete it in 11 days to break my own record of 15 days,” he said.
The co-curriculum trainer revealed that he might be taking on another challenge thrown by Jelaing to kayak from Kuching to Saratok this November.
“That will be the toughest challenge for me because by then it will be the Landas season when the seas will be very rough,” he admitted.
Asked whether he wants to register his record feat in the Malaysia Guinness Book of Records, Kamaluddin said: “No, because I didn’t inform the committee about my expedition and there are many procedures to follow.”
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