Indonesian Child's Viral Fame Draws Tourists To Boat Race

Rayyan Arkan Dikha, an 11-year-old boy who went viral for his calm dance on the bow of a traditional longboat, performs during the Pacu Jalur race festival (Credit: AFP)

Armed with colourful oars, rowers pack into long boats in western Indonesia, paddling furiously in front of race crowds swelled by the viral success of a young boy famous for his dancing at the front of the traditional vessels.

The annual Pacu Jalur race on Sumatra island culminates on Sunday, with officials estimating as many as 100,000 more spectators this year because of 11-year-old Rayyan Arkan Dikha's dance moves on the fast-moving boats.