The Water Festival is currently in full swing in Phnom Penh. The capital has seen its population double since the beginning of the week with the massive influx of people from the provinces. The main attractions during these festive days are the boat races on the Tonle Sap, where teams from all Khmer regions compete. One might think that the rowers always wear the colors of their own region… However, this is not the case for Kosal. The young navigator comes from the village of Khum Meanchey in the Kompong Thom province, located in central Cambodia. He trains on the surrounding river but this year, he is representing the province of Stung Treng, located at the Laos border, as they did not have enough rowers.

Do you prepare all year round for the Water Festival regatta?

Our boat and paddles are ready 15 days before the Water Festival. From that point on, we train 20 minutes per day as a team on a river near our village, with 85 people in the boat. For the rest of the year, I train using a barrel and a stick as a paddle.

(Kosal and his teammates representing Stung Treng)

How important is the regatta for your city?

The race is like a job for us; we are here to win! The people of Stung Treng province recruited us to row for them.

What are the rewards for these regattas?

We participate in two boat races during the Water Festival. Each one can earn our boat 250 dollars. If we win, we share the money among all the rowers. But we want to win for the honor and to prove that we are good at this sport.

So it's a real competition?

Yes, for the race itself, but we also enjoy coming back to Phnom Penh. It’s been a tradition for generations during the Water Festival, and we never come to the capital except for this event. It’s our only opportunity.

Who financially supports your preparation for the competition?

A Phnom Penh donor helped Stung Treng province, providing us with transportation from Kompong Thom. They also provide accommodation and meals for us here in the capital.

What equipment do you personally bring?

I simply brought my paddle and the uniform of Stung Treng province. We wear orange and blue.