The Borneo Rapids

Initially this journey was began with anxiety. It’s like something different from similar activities that have been carried out before. Like an expedition trip, but we run it without knowing each other.
Even though it is not a new person who does not know each other, the members of this trip are rumored to be filled with experts on the outdoors activity in Indonesia The goal is clear, exploring the potential for white water rafting as tourism in the Kapuas river, West Kalimantan.
Traveling with a mission like this, is actually not the first time done there. Decades earlier there was a story from Rully, a Mapala UI (outdoor activity club in University of Indonesia) member who had crossed the rapids in the upper of Kapuas river. Plus a report from WWF Indonesia, which once intended to conduct searches and training for local residents, in 2007.
Lody Korua from Arus Liar rafting, who was also a participant this time, had crossed the Kapuas river upstream, after going through the Mahakam in 1993. But in the past, Lody said he did not use a rubber boat, but rather with a wooden boat owned by local residents.
“Now there are many different things,” Lody said, while repeating the memory in his head.
His eyes began to turn white like looking for what used to exist, around the edge of the river crossed, starting from the city of Putussibau, to Nanga Bungan. The sweltering heat, finally only left feeling disappointed, for Lody. Because too many trees were lost, he said.
Fortunately, a drink from palm tree can calm the atmosphere. Take us back to drift on an adventure to the upper reaches of the Kapuas river. Together with the skillful motor boat captain, spurred the rhythm of the boat’s motor, going against the current and cascading upstream.
Nanga Bungan which eventually became a place to stay, was only a small village located between the confluence of the Bungan and Kapuas rivers. In fact, the village of Nanga Bungan contain Dayak Punan Hoovongan descendants. Who is known to have good concocting and gardening skills. Unfortunately they do not have the character like the Dayaks in general. So do not expect there is a long house, or a traditional tattoo here.
Different lifestyles as Dayaks also became polemic, for some people. One of it come from Hendricus Mutter, a participant from Wanadri, as one of the mountain forest experts in Indonesia.
“It’s like we miss a nuance Dayak in here,” he said.
Although the night before, we were treated to traditional dance and dinner dishes typical of the local residents.

Matahari RapidUpstreaming boat to reach the Matahari rapids in Kapuas river, West Kalimantan Indonesia. (Photo by Sulung Prasetyo)

One day after, after staying first in Nanga Bungan, the whole team made it to the point of activity target. This time our target is the Matahari rapids. Matahari mean the sun for Indonesia people. It’s the largest and most difficult rapids that must be passed.
The trip to the Matahari rapids must be taken up to three hours upstream, from Nanga Bungan. Lifting and pulling the boat against the current 0and rapids is no longer a strange thing to do. Together we had to draw four wooden boats, which contained rubber boats, kayaks and a special body board for the river.
Sometimes they have to go along the riverbank, when wooden boats cannot carry passengers against the current and rapids. Sessions along the river and lifted the boat later became a rafting scouting event, like a river rafting trip.
It’s then noted, there are three series of rapids to watch out for. There are Matahari, Pulas, and Delapan rapids. The Matahari rapids, which are now in front of the eyes, contain the blows of current on one path between two large rocks. Great risk if the boat is wrongly traversed and hit a rock. If it’s hit to the right, it will be trapped underneath. When hit by a rock to the left, we can be sure the boat will flip over perfectly.
Abo, the boat skipper from Arus Sakti rafting, which now operates on the Ae Manna river, Bengkulu, looks carefully at the possibilities. With the help of Komar, they finally became the first boat controllers to descend in the Matahari rapids.
“There is a dangerous backflow before entering rapids. The currents can make the boat go too far to the right, “Komar said, after flew that Matahari rapid.
Kiki Murdyatmoko, Chairperson of the trip, also enjoyed the sensation of crossing the Matahari rapid at the first opportunity. After passing by, Kiki said that he was worried, when the boat tilted too far to the right. It might be imagined in his head if the boat has to fall on the rocks, then the boat becomes wrapped and continues to be blown by strong currents from behind. It can broken your head, if it continues to be hit by that much water.
Luckily the first boat successfully passed the Matahari rapids. Although it looks like the entire boat and crew are lost in the water, when they are at the main point after flow in the drop at the end of the Matahari rapid.
This success raises the confidence for local residents to take part in trying. Up to five trials crossed the Matahari rapid then carried out. Each time it passes, it contains at least two local residents, which are expected to develop rafting tourism there in the future.
Sawang, one of the residents who tasted the sensation of crossing the Matahari rapid claimed to be happy with the experience. Because according to him at the first time he managed to escape death, after swimming accidentally in the Matahari rapid, he began to think not to play anymore with the river.
Unfortunately the kayak and Body Board team decided not to descend the Matahari rapid. Mamal, one of the kayakers said that the Matahari rapids are too serious to be crossed by a kayak.
“We will come again with a special rescue team,” explained Mamal, after the activity.

Pulas Rapid
The other rapids to pass are Pulas and Delapan rapids. Pulas rapid are flowed current curve between the two rock. It’s not hard to pass it. Just flow with the current.
Because there’s no drop after the curve. So, we can say this rapid are really safety to pass.A kayak try to pass the Pulas rapids in Kapuas river, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. (Photo by Sulung Prasetyo)

The other is Delapan rapid. Its more easy, because it just a three standing waves that must pass. Find the primary current in the left side of the river. We can enjoy the wave swing our boat. The biggest waves is in the end. But it can not enough to flip a rubber boat.The rapids in the downer area of Nanga Bungan in Kapuas river, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. (Photo by Sulung Prasetyo)

We can see the other rapid in the downer river area of Nanga Bungan. But its just a small rapids. We can pass it with nothing much trouble.
But from the success and delays of the team crossing the Matahari rapids and the others, in general the Kapuas river headwaters deserve to be used as a selling area for rafting tourism. Unspoiled nature, challenging rapids and friendly locals are believed to be the main menu of adventure tourism trips there. At least it can be a better business, rather than having to cut down trees of the forest. (Sulung Prasetyo)