Water Sports: Now Trending

Words by: John Lomtong
Since the beginning of time, surmounting the tides has always been an age-old challenge that has become a constant fascination and challenge to what the human will and skill can really do.

We Filipinos have always had an obsession for the waters and we’ve always had the benefit of being surrounded by many types of bodies of water across the country. Tailor-made for water activities, the Philippine archipelago was always a fitting destination for water sports enthusiasts, add to that our tropical climes and breath-taking scenery which bumps up the fun a notch. With water all around us, most Filipinos have become divers, surfers and water sports lovers.

Have a fill of extreme routes, exciting obstacles and electrifying adventures as you conquer the waves. Summer and vacation time are upon us! You don’t have to go far to make a splash because we have the best water sports events in the Philippines this 2012!

SAILING
With so many islands to explore, sailing is a must-try sport. Whether it be on the seas or lakes, there is something about it that relaxes the soul. Be it on a boat, yacht, catamaran, jet-ski or rented longtail, getting out on a body of water will always bring a smile to your face. Get off the sandy beaches and out into the blue seas, enjoy the sun, breeze and scenery of the Philippines. Here is our list of races and regattas that offer a great roundabout experience for sailing enthusiasts:

The Philippine Hobie Challenge – An international extreme sailing event for Hobie 16s, cruising yachts, keelboats and multihulls plus a cruising yacht rally that will anchor its way on the 10th to the 18th of March. It is organized by the Philippine Hobie Challenge Foundation with courses set throughout the Philippine islands.

Easter Regatta – A sailing regatta event, open to racing yachts, cruising yachts, keelboats and multihulls, and is organized during the three days leading to Easter Sunday by the Puerto Galera Yacht Club, Mindoro. Mark April 6 to 8 on your calendar.

Commodore’s Cup Regatta – A four day international sailing regatta event organized during the week following Easter to attract the finishers in the South China Sea Race & San Fernando Race. This is open to all racing yachts, cruising yachts, keelboats and multihulls. Prepare to set sail from the 11th to 14th of April.

Independence Day Regatta – This is a two day sailing regatta organized to commemorate the Philippines’ Independence Day, typically held during the weekend closest to the 12th of June.

All Souls Regatta – A sailing regatta event organized by the Puerto Galera Yacht Club during the three-day Halloween holiday weekend at the end of October or beginning of November. Racing yachts, cruising keelboats and multihulls should better prepare for this year’s largest and friendliest sailing regatta.

Punta Fuego Regatta – The regatta event organized by the Punta Fuego Yacht Club during the week following the All Souls Regatta near the beginning of November. Racing yachts, cruising multihulls and sports boats are all booked on the 11th to the 12th of November.

Iloilo Paraw Regatta – It’s a national championship for Paraw sailing regattas held every February off Iloilo City, Panay Island. Currently, the longest running sailing event in the Philippines where native paraw sailing yachts take on the sailing supremacy. Got to wait till next year.

Boracay Paraw Regatta – Another sailing regatta event featuring native paraw racing yachts with the unique outrigger yacht design held every February.

Boracay Cup Regatta – An international sailing regatta in Boracay organized every February as well following the Subic Bay Boracay Race by the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailors (SAGS) and Subic Bay Yacht Club.

SURFING & SKIMBOARDING
A sport that involves using a board to ride large breaking waves, surfing originated in Hawaii and California and has found its way to our shores. The Philippines offers large waves for surfing enthusiasts and a good training ground for beginners too.

On the other hand, skimboarding is a sport similar to surfing wherein the rider glides on the short break waves close to the shore.

The waters are waving hello for you to come and check out their events:

Mayor’s Cup – A national surfing and skimboarding championship event at the end of March or beginning of April at Dahican Beach, Mati City, Davao Oriental.

National Skimboarding Championship – A meeting of the best of the best, this national challenge usually takes place in the middle of September as part of the annual Tuna Festival in General Santos City, South Cotabato.

Siargao Surfing Festival Cloud 9 – This international surfing cup competition is usually organized during the last week of September at the World-famous Cloud 9 surf break on Siargao Island, Siargao.

WATERSKIING, WAKEBOARDING & WAKESKATING
The popular beaches and lake resorts of the Philippines have long offered facilities for waterskiing, a sport which involves being towed on skis by a motorboat or a cable. Camarines Sur is the best place for this, at the modern Camsur Watersports Complex. For outdoor waterskiing behind a boat, Anchor Bay Water Sports offers great waterskiing around the calm waters of Romblon. Similarly, wakeboarding involves riding on a board to which both feet are bound while being towed across the water by a boat or cable. By riding on the wake, the wakeboarder may fly up and perform stunts in the air. Wakeskating is comparable except the feet are not bound to the board. Destinations for wakeboarders and wakeskaters in the Philippines include Lago de Oro and Taal Lake in Batangas. Don’t miss these events:

Philippine Cable Wakeboard Nationals – Another international attraction, these games are scheduled every last two weekends of October in Camarines Sur. It is organized by the CamSur WaterSports Complex and is a crowd magnet for guest riders and masters of the sport that have graced the occasion since its inception in 2006.

Two fast and exciting months after the New Year and the action just keeps getting stronger. Of course we couldn’t ignore all those high octane gears and premium rotors that bring flare to the competition. That’s why we’re leaving you with an invitation to the Philippines’ only water sports equipment & nautical lifestyle exhibition:

Sea-Ex / Philippine Boat Show – This is an international water sports lifestyle and boat show exhibition event to be held from March 3-5 at the Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Water sports is the outdoor spectacle that continues to amaze Filipinos and tourists alike. History has watched the tides ever since, from speed to endurance challenges – many forms of these aquatic athletic activities continue to lure the human curiosity. If you want to take a cool break from the string of traditional sports, this is a refreshing way to be active and have fun.