KIULU: Sabah has taken a step in adventure tourism with the establishment of Malaysia’s first white-water kayak school certified under the American Canoe Association (ACA), opening a new chapter in the State’s outdoor education sector.
The Riverbug Kayak School, developed by Traverse Tours Sdn Bhd and based at The Adventure Centre (T.A.C) along the Kiulu River about 1.5 hours from Kota Kinabalu was officially launched on April 8, introducing a structured, internationally recognised training model to the local paddlesports scene.
Managing Director Dares Saham said the school offers a progressive curriculum covering technical kayaking skills, safety protocols, rescue techniques, and river navigation, with participants able to obtain ACA certification that opens pathways to global paddlesports programmes.
“This represents an important step towards building a sustainable ecosystem for kayaking education in Malaysia, while reducing reliance on foreign expertise,” Dares said.
“The long-term goal is to position Sabah as a leading centre for outdoor education and certified adventure training in Southeast Asia, supported by international accreditation and locally developed expertise.”
A key milestone ahead of the launch was the completion of advanced instructor training led by ACA-affiliated expert Nik White, brought in from the United States.
The training has produced a locally based team of certified instructors capable of delivering programmes to international standards, a development Dares described as central to the school’s long-term sustainability.
Beyond recreational kayaking, Traverse Tours is expanding into professional water safety and rescue training for agencies including the Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force and Rela.
These programmes will cover swift water rescue, emergency response, and risk management in river environments, skills considered increasingly critical given changing climate conditions and the frequency of flood-related emergencies in the region.
The Riverbug Kayak School also incorporates an experiential tourism dimension, pairing kayaking instruction with glamping, camping, and expedition-style river journeys.
The integrated offering is aimed at a diverse market that includes international schools, corporate groups, universities, and adventure clubs.
The Kiulu River, long favoured for its balance of safe yet dynamic conditions, is expected to gain further recognition as a regional hub for certified outdoor programmes with the centre’s establishment.
The initiative aligns with Malaysia’s broader push to develop high-value, experience-driven tourism, and positions Sabah, already a draw for eco and adventure travellers, as a serious contender in the Southeast Asian outdoor education market.
