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Warisno: Sharing his love of boating
Toto Dartoyo , Contributor , Purwakarta, West Java | Fri, 10/10/2008 10:45 AM | People
The thrill of the traditional dragon boat contest held for the first time on the Jatiluhur Reservoir was over.
The participants had returned to their homes and the attending officials had packed up and gone back to their offices, leaving the reservoir behind until next year's contest.
On the its banks one man was left tending to a boat which he regularly rented out to tourists.
The boatman, Warisno, 39, is the organizer of the traditional dragon boat contest, which was held at the Jatiluhur Reservoir on Aug. 25, 2008.
"I fell in love with boats and the reservoir has brought me up," Warisno told The Jakarta Post recently.
Warisno, born on June 5, 1969, has been surrounded by boats and the reservoir all his life. He is known in his village, Jatimekar, as "the boatman born with the ability to be a young athlete".
He was one of the top rowing athletes in Purwakarta regency and became a champion at the provincial and national levels.
From 1986 to 2006, Warisno pursued an athletic career, during which time he collected four gold medals, three silvers and four bronze.
"The last time I won a gold medal was in the dragon boat category, when the provincial sporting event was held in Serang, Banten," said the father of three.
"With my experience, and motivated by my wish to see the villagers at the Jatiluhur Reservoir united, I submitted a proposal (for a competition) to the Jatiluhur tourist office and related agencies, and it was quickly accepted," he said.
Three villages surrounding the reservoir participated in the dragon boat race: Jatimekar, Tajur Sindang and Ciganea.
The boats used were borrowed from a store owned by the Indonesian Boat Sport Association (PODSI), which is based at the reservoir.
The team from Jatimekar village ended up winning the race.
"I taught them the skills needed for rowing boats," Warisno said, who headed the contest committee.
Together with his friends, Warisno plans to hold the contest annually.
"I want the regional government of Purwakarta to respond and include this on their agenda as an annual event."
Warisno's love of boats and the reservoir sees his days filled with training children from around the area in boat skills. He charges no fees for his sessions.
"Those who truly love boating would not ask for anything in return."
He doesn't teach his skills class on Sunday as that is his main income-generating day as he can rent his boat out to tourists who come to the reservoir, Warisno said.
He can earn around Rp 800,000 (US$85) per month from renting his boat.
"Some of that money I to use for my operational costs and to teach the children. I have to give them instructions and advice on using the boats," he said.
Warisno's dedication to training the local children has begun to yield results. The children won three gold medals, two silvers and one bronze at the provincial student sporting event (POPDA) for West Java, which was held in Indramayu in 2005.
At the 2008 POPDA, which was held in Bandung, Warisno's students garnered five golds, two silvers and one bronze medal across the kayak, canoe and rowing events.
Due to his success in boosting the name of Purwakarta, the regional government decided to award Warisno.
"I was promoted to honorary staff member of Purwakarta regency, receiving an allowance of Rp 535,000 (US$55) per month," he said.
"The children I train attend school for free and were even given funding from the government to attend a student training program in Bandung."
Many people in the community now approach Warisno, asking him to teach boating skills to their children.
Waristo, 30, a resident of Jatimekar village, said he wanted his son Riswanto to be able to win a gold medal.
"I put my hopes in pak Warisno's hands," he said.
Warisno said he honored the trust the local community had in him.
"I just give my best. I do that with sincerity and all seriousness."
Warisno teaches boat skills to around 15 children. He works alone and his training sessions are free.
