Rowing Heritage to Victory: APRIL’s Continuous Support for Pacu Jalur

Every year, the Kuantan River in Kuantan Singingi, Riau Province, Indonesia, becomes the stage for one of Indonesia’s cherished cultural traditions. Thousands of spectators gather along the riverbanks to watch Pacu Jalur, a longboat race that combines skills, teamwork and centuries of cultural heritage.

More than a boat race, Pacu Jalur is the annual festival is a celebration of community identity and tradition carried through generations, bringing people from across the region together to race for victory and bring pride home to their communities.

Months of preparation go into building and maintaining the boats, training rowers, and rallying local support, making the festival a powerful expression of collective pride in the community.

Pacu Jalur has deep historical roots in Riau Province. The tradition dates back centuries, and since becoming an annual event in 1903. The word jalur refers to the traditional long wooden boats used in the race. Each boat carries dozens of rowers who must work in perfect rhythm to navigate the river at high speed. A distinctive feature of the race is the young dancer positioned at the front of the boat, whose energetic performance has attracted global attention through social media, introducing Pacu Jalur to audiences around the world.

Supporting Culture and Community

APRIL Group has been supporting Pacu Jalur since 1994, collaborating with the local communities and local government to preserve this important tradition and support the people who keep the culture alive.

Through this longstanding support, APRIL contributes to the continued celebration of Pacu Jalur, helping communities carry forward a tradition that is deeply rooted in Riau’s cultural heritage. 

In 2026, APRIL supported three jalurs taking part in the festival, including Jalur Alam Cahayo Tuah Nagoghi from Sikakak Village, Cerenti District, Riau Province.

This year brought an especially memorable result, as Jalur Alam Cahayo Tuah Nagoghi emerged as the 2026 Pacu Jalur champion — making history as the first team from Cerenti District to win the prestigious title.

The victory was about more than crossing the finish line first. It represented the culmination of months of preparation, collective effort and teamwork, with each member playing a part in bringing their jalur to the river and competing for their home. Throughout this journey, APRIL supported the tam alongside the wider community, contributing to an achievement built on collective effort and shared pride.

While the race takes place over only a few days, the spirit behind Pacu Jalur runs much deeper. It lives in the communities that come together to prepare for the annual festival, in the generations who pass down the tradition, and in the pride of seeing their jalur to the river.  As new generations embrace the tradition, Pacu Jalur continues to connect the past with the future, ensuring its legacy endures for years to come.