TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Sea Kayak Expedition rows the boat towards economy growth
As an archipelago, Indonesia’s vast maritime wealth is arguably larger than most countries, rivaled by its equally untapped potential.
Change Size
A
s an archipelago, Indonesia’s vast maritime wealth is arguably larger than most countries, rivaled by its equally untapped potential. The country and its many hidden paradise are a special attraction for the wider community, both just to enjoy the beauty of nature and to make it a prime attraction for activities with the community.
Over the next two months, a new kayak route will be opened in the beautiful Flores by the Indonesian Expeditionary Team Wanita Alam Pembela Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (WANADRI), Rumah Nusantara, and the Association of Jungle Walkers and Mountaineers. The new route was created through the Archipelago Rowing Sustainable Expedition Program (JDN).
The team plans to start their expedition from the western tip of Flores, the famed holiday destination Labuan Bajo, and make their way to Larantuka, located on the Eastern tip of the island. Along the way, the team is expected to stop at 38 coastal points, and the expedition is one of the potentials of sport tourism that can be developed elevate the tourism industry in the island.
The implementation of this expedition will be marked by the first raft, titled “Flores Sea Kayak Expedition.” The JDN expedition crew will consist of six rowers known as “Segara Team,” and four support teams who will be on standby on land. The Segara team will paddle around the island of Flores, which is 1,045 km away, for a duration of up to 50 days in the period August to September 2023.
“For Dayung Jelajah Nusantara itself, we are looking for islands in Indonesia with a track length of 1,000 km and based on the results of our survey on several islands in Indonesia, Flores is one of them. In addition, we also chose Flores to strengthen the promotion of Flores as one of the leading marine tourism destinations in Indonesia,” said Yoppi Rikson, Head of the Expedition Team and a member of the Segara Team.
He also expressed his appreciation for the support he has had from several parties and attribute the success of organizing the adventure to the united desire to introduce a wider Indonesia to be recognized worldwide.
Main Director of the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF), Shana Fatina said that the potential for sport tourism in the maritime area of Labuan Bajo in particular and Flores is very large, and has been notable for some time. There have been Labuan Bajo Marathons held by Indonesia Financial Group (IFG) in 2022, Mountain Walk in Ngada, Tour de Flores, and Jelajah Timur: Run for Equality, but this is the first time for kayak.
"This is very interesting because finally there is an Expedition Team that will explore the Flores Sea with kayaks. It is interesting because it is the nation's own children who will open the Flores Sea kayak route. Apart from that, this will also help us add points to the route in preparing the maritime map of the island. Flores, so that special interest tourists who will later go to Flores Island already have more complete references for sea kayaking routes," said Shana.
The expedition is aimed to redefine Indonesia's identity as an archipelagic country, introduce the potential for marine tourism, and restore the maritime spirit of the nation's younger generation.
To establish Indonesia’s reputation as the best tropical adventure location, the expedition will show the beauty of nature in the coastal area, and attest how people in these areas face global changes, in terms climate, welfare, and pollution.
Secondly, it is organized to reaffirm and deepen the art of rowing as a cultural heritage of the Indonesian culture, as well as provide proof for kayaking activity activists in the world that Indonesia is starting to study Sea Kayaking or Cruise Kayaking activities professionally. The sport is the perfect blend of traditional and contemporary values of the country.
Moreover, this expedition is a marker of the start of a series of Exploring Rowing the Archipelago (DJN) series which will circle the major islands in Indonesia.
It is hoped that the expedition will attract and inspire more people to follow, whether in other areas of the country, or in Flores. Future expeditions are also expected to provide benefits to the community in terms of economic, socio-cultural and environmental sustainability, especially considering that the Labuan Bajo area is well noted for its tourism potential that can encourage and drive regional economic growth.
During the expedition, everyone will be able to follow the journey through various content on social media; ranging from expedition preparation and travel, including knowledge related to the science of exploring tropical coasts by sea kayaking. Publication of documentation in the form of the Flores Sea Kayak Expedition Book; Sea Kayaking on Tropical Waters book; photo exhibition, and several other activities will be the target of publication from the expedition team.
