Tradisi lumba bot adalah warisan masyarakat Seletar, Johor

Masyarakat Seletar yang kebanyakkannya tinggal di sepanjang Selat Johor terkenal dengan kehidupan mereka yang berasaskan laut. Pada asalnya, mereka bergantung kepada hasil tangkapan ikan, udang dan ketam serta kupang. Kini kehidupan mereka adalah lebih moden dan ramai yang terlibat di dalam restoran makanan dan pelancongan. Disebabkan kehidupan mereka yang berasaskan laut, mereka gemar terlibat di dalam perlumbaan bot. Pada masa silam, generasi terdahulu menggunakan bot kayu untuk berlumba sesama sendiri. Tradisi berlumba bot kini sudah pun berubah dengan peredaran zaman. Apabila pesta sukan laut dianjurkan eetiap kampung Seletar pasti akan menghantar pasukan untuk mengambil bahagian di dalam acara perlumbaan bot laju. Pasukan-pasukan ini membina bot laju mereka dengan gentian kaca (fibreglass) dan menggunakan enjin 15 kuasa kuda (15hp). Bot-bot ini mencapai kelajuan sehingga 50 batu sejam yang kadang-kadang menyebabkan bot tersebut seolah-olah terapung di permukaan laut. ----------------------- The Orang Asli Seletar are a small community living along Johor's southern coast facing the Straits of Johor and on the banks of rivers that flow into it. They rely solely on fishing for fish, crabs, and prawns and the farming of mussels. Some with the appropriate boats take anglers to fishing spots on the Straits and rivers. Being coastal and riverine people, they love participating in sports and games on water and frequently participate and compete in 'Sukan Laut' or sea sports organized by villages that dot the coast of southern Johor. One of their most passionate sports is powerboat racing which they almost routinely take top honours whenever they compete, and they take every opportunity to compete. The fibreglass racing boats are powered by modified 15hp engines and built by racers. At full tilt, the boats churn the waters of the Straits at up to 50mph, which takes the hull rising and hitting the water quite violently from the speed and raging swirls and waves kicked up by the other speeding boats. Quite a sight.