Ketinting Boat Race Enlivens 2026 Kelumpang Lake Festival in East Kalimantan

RRI.CO.ID, Sendawar - The 2026 Kelumpang Lake Festival grew more vibrant with a 230cc ketinting boat race. The event took place in Kelumpang Hamlet, Mook Manaar Bulatn Subdistrict, West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan Province on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

The competition attracted ketinting racers and clubs from West Kutai, racers came from Tenggarong, Penyinggahan, Muara Muntai, Jantur, and even Sulawesi. Ketinting is a type of small motorized wooden boat widely used across the archipelago of Indonesia.

West Kutai Regent, Frederick Edwin, said the festival must deliver direct benefits to the community, particularly through local economic development. “This festival must be optimally utilized by the local community to increase income. One way is by strengthening the role of BUMKamp (Village-Owned Enterprises) and MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in this area,” Edwin.

He expressed hope that the Kelumpang Lake Festival could develop into one of West Kutai’s leading tourism attractions and draw visitors from within and outside the region.

“Each village has its own potential and distinctive characteristics. A festival like this becomes a venue to showcase the diversity and cultural wealth that we possess,” he said.

Head of the West Kutai Tourism Agency, FX Sumardi, said his office is targeting the Kelumpang Lake Festival to be included in the national event calendar next year.

“Every time the Kelumpang Lake Festival is held, it is attended by regencies outside West Kutai. Last year, in 2025, the event was attended by Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan, and North Penajam Paser Regency,” said Sumardi on Thursday.

According to Sumardi, the area’s geographical uniqueness, community diversity, cultural wealth, and fish resource potential constitute important capital for developing the Kelumpang Lake Festival while boosting local MSME activity.

Meanwhile, the participation of competitors from multiple areas made the contest on the waters of Kelumpang Lake increasingly lively. Racers competed in speed and skill in maneuvering ketinting boats to emerge as the best in the 230cc class.

The involvement of racers from several regions demonstrates that the Kelumpang Lake Festival is not only a water sports event, but also a gathering space for communities and a platform for promoting local potential. (Annaila Azzahra-EN)