Red Bull Kayak Explore Cebu-Bohol Island Crossing3rd and final leg of the 2009 Philippine Kayaking series December 4 to 6The third and final leg of the Philippine Kayaking Series was a Cebu-Bohol channel crossing that featured a 3-legged 125K marathon and a novice race.
Entitled Kayak Explore Cebu-Bohol crossing, the 3rd run held last December 4 - 6, 2009 followed the route of Mactan Island to Bohol, where paddlers crossed the 125-km scenic route passing through a motley of islets, coves, mangroves and river deltas.
With more than 100 participants who attended the three-day event, Kayak Explore Cebu and Bohol began from Punta Engano following a 5-km coastal run along Mactan Island passing through resorts and other sites, then on to Olango, down to Getafe, Bohol. The race moved eastward towards Panglao passing through coastwise and municipal waters; stopping by at designated control points where local packages and tours are introduced. Coastal municipalities participated with their local cuisine, products and cultural presentation.
The kayak marathon had three classes, the sit-in tandem, the sit-on-top tandem and the Singles Open. However, the number of entries was limited to 30 teams in the tandem class and 10 in the singles open to compensate for the number of kayaks provided by the organizers. Entry fee for participants was pegged at P900 per person.
Apart from the kayak marathon, the event also conducted kayaking clinics, 5-km novice races, eco-touring flotilla, island hopping, moonlight paddling. The flotilla was for pre-booked tourists, sight seers and race supporters who will be riding bancas following the route of the paddlers and stopping at eco-cultural tourism sites and attractions in the coastal communities along the way.
A mini fair of eco-tour packages such as the New Adventure-Kayak Hundred Islands, Historic Manila Bay Kayaking Adventures; Luxury Kayaking Safari in Bacuit Bay, Palawan, and Bohol Extreme Packages: Kayamping (Kayak and Camping) were also held on site.
The three-day event had overnight sleep-overs at locations in Tubigon and Maribojoc. Finish line was set at the Bohol Beach Club, while awarding ceremonies and a victory party was conducted at the Dumaluan Beach in Bolod.
Cousins German Paz (National Windsurfing Team) and Johnder Austria, who hail from Anilao, Batangas, won against local teams in the 125-km race tandem division clocking in a total time of 11 hours, 33 minutes, and 13 seconds.
Bohol’s Jerome Abuyador and Jerwin Castro, meanwhile, managed to finish second despite incurring a 30-minute penalty, while Irene Quisido and Lito Lapure, the only mixed duo in the field, finished third place.
In the singles division, Doyet Dumaluan topped with a total time of 13 hours, 11 minutes, and 58 seconds despite being slapped with a 30-minute penalty. Dumaluan, a doctor by profession who owns 50 kayaks, initiated kayaking in Bohol.
Cebuano engineer Dondon Dimpas came in second at 14:04:10, while Buzzy Budlong of Team Habagat finished third at 14:17:10.
Aside from trophies and other major prizes from sponsors, champions in the tandem categories were given P20,000 while the second and third finishers received P15,000 and P10,000, respectively. First prize in the singles category was P10,000 while the second and third finishers got P7,500 and P5,000, respectively.
The
DOT together with the
Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) supported the event. Business sector representatives who pledged their support for the event are: Rommel Aquino of Montanara, Allan Santos of
Bohol Beach Club,
Tambuli resorts, Ric Mercado of
Red Bull, Shake Valerio of
Cebu Pacific, Anton Bautista of
Cord Chemicals and Robert Rezalde of
Mojo.
Major sponsors are
Cord Chemicals;
Cebu Pacific; Bugsay Kayaks; Montanara Sports Gear; Mojo
Sandals and Slippers;
Habagat Outdoor Equipment;
David's Salon; and Union Jack.
Prize donors are Jump Off Point and
Waterfront Airport Hotel; Conquest Sports Equipment;
Dunkin Donuts;
Islands Souvenirs; Headware; Casa Francis Rey;
Image Marketing; One Tagaytay Place; Le Bistro and Bohol Limestone Corporation.
Media partners are
Inquirer;
Business Mirror;
Action Asia;
MTV-Phils;
Studio 23; justgo.ph;
Decisive Moments;
Monster Radio 105.9 Cebu;
Bohol Chronicle and
DYRD;
102.3 Kiss and DYZD Bohol stations.
The Philippine Kayaking Series, promoted by the
Department of Tourism and organized by the Philippine Kayaking Association, aims to identify kayaking trails in the country. Aside from promoting kayaking as an adventure sport, the event also aims to establish sustainable eco-tourism programs in different provinces.
For inquiries or more information on Kayak Philippines and its events, call 4687091; 8725478; 0915-435-9321; email
philkayaking@yahoo.com or visit
http://www.kayakphilippines.com.
