Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Kayaking fest starts May 21
STRENGTH, endurance, skill and most of all seamanship will be tested on the waters of the South Reclamation Properties (SRP) as the Cebu Kayaking Club (CKC) invites paddlers to BUGSAY 2008: A National Kayaking Festival on May 21-25.
Bugsay 2008 is an event that aims to advocate for sea protection and to promote kayaking, one of the fastest-growing outdoor activity in the country.
The CKC was founded last 2005 to promote a paddlesports community, physical fitness and environmental awareness through kayaking. Its launching will be the main highlight of Bugsay 2008.
The festival will showcase events that capture the interest not only of the experienced athletes, but also beginners and those who are interested or willing to try out the sport. Participants from Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Manila and Davao are expected to join.
Events
The two main races of the event, the 300-meter sprint and the 3-km. marathon will be on May 24-25.
Each race will have three categories, inter-school, inter-company and the open category. Races will be for Novice-SGL, Novice- mixed tandem, Men-Tandem, Women-Tandem and the Mixed-Tandem.
It is open to all levels of paddlers and racers can join all events and categories as long as their strength still allows them to.
Each race will begin with a mass start. Racers will be forming groups and competitors will be drafting off one another. With different group strategies, the race often ends with an exciting rush to the finish line.
Aside from the races, there will be an area for manufacturers to display paddle sports products, food stalls and product demonstrations by the manufacturers and retailers to introduce those who are still unfamiliar to the sport of Kayaking.
During weekends, there will be kayaking trainings and clinics at Karancho Beach for beginners and experienced athletes. Racers are also entitled to a free practice session at the SRP before the race proper.
On May 24, a mandatory race orientation will be held at the registration tent before the start of the race.
Launching
Since the launching of the “I Love the Ocean Movement,” and the Baruto paddlers in the late 90’s, the paddling community of Cebu has been steadily growing.
Through the launching of the CKC now, the paddlers of Cebu are hoping to get not only more members, but also partnerships with local kayak owners and to increase the awareness of people of our sea conditions.
The raised funds will be used to build a paddling school in Mactan.
Registration forms should be submitted on Wednesday, May 21 and 23, or a day before the race at the Cebu Kayaking Club, c/o Jump-Off Point Inc, 124 Gorordo Ave., Lahug, Cebu City.
Forms may also be emailed to bugsay2008.cebu@yahoo.com. The fee per person per entry is P250.
For more information these numbers may be contacted 09209616680/09157877272/09065519757. (By Eva Mariue T. Gamboa/ UP MassComm Intern)
