ibnchannel.id – Balige, one of the strategic areas within the Lake Toba Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP), is set to become the center of global attention with the staging of The Lake Toba GP, two prestigious international water sports events: the UIM-ABP Aquabike Endurance & Class Pro Circuit World Championship and the UIM F1H2O World Championship – Grand Prix of Indonesia 2025. These two world championships will be held consecutively in August 2025. The UIM-ABP Aquabike Endurance & Class Pro Circuit World Championship will take place on August 13–15, 2025, featuring 53 riders from 24 countries. Meanwhile, the UIM F1H2O World Championship – Grand Prix of Indonesia will be held on August 22–24, 2025, with the participation of 24 international racers.
As the local organizer, InJourney Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) plays a role in ensuring infrastructure readiness, technical smoothness, and cross-stakeholder coordination, including with the local government. Both events are under the auspices of the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) and are globally promoted by H2O Racing as the official license holder and main international organizer. By early August 2025, a total of 26 containers carrying racing equipment and supporting facilities had arrived in Balige after traveling thousands of kilometers from various participating countries, consisting of 15 F1 Powerboat containers, 1 VIP container, and 10 Aquabike containers. The unloading process was carried out with strict coordination to ensure all equipment arrived on time and was ready for use.
Organizing Committee Chairman of The Lake Toba GP / ITDC Director of Operations, Troy Warokka, stated, “The renewed trust given to Indonesia, especially the Lake Toba area, reflects the strategic position of this destination on the international sport tourism map. As part of InJourney, ITDC is committed to supporting world-class events that not only have a positive impact on destination promotion but also drive sustainable local economic growth.”
Balige, which has previously hosted the UIM F1H2O World Championship – Grand Prix of Indonesia, will once again be the stage for world-class racing this year with increasingly integrated facilities. “The presence of two world championships in a single series at Lake Toba is a major momentum, not only for destination branding but also for directly stimulating the local economy, from accommodation, culinary services, and transportation, to the MSME sector,” Troy added.
Assistant for Economic Affairs & Development of North Sumatra, Ir. Muhammad Armand Effendy Pohan, M.Si, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration of all parties in preparing for the event. “The hosting of Aquabike and F1H2O at Lake Toba is a golden opportunity to promote North Sumatra’s tourism potential to the world stage. We hope this event runs smoothly, safely, and delivers significant positive impacts on the regional economy and the welfare of the community,” he said.
With experience managing tourism areas such as The Nusa Dua, The Mandalika, and The Golo Mori, ITDC ensures that every international event held leaves sustainable benefits. “For us, the success of The Lake Toba GP is not only measured by the quality of the races but also by the positive legacy such as economic growth. This event is expected to be a starting point for Lake Toba to further establish itself as a world-class tourism magnet, while reaffirming Indonesia’s role as a capable host for international events with the highest standards,” Troy concluded.***
