Anilao Windsurf Regatta returns for 17th year
ANILAO – For the 17th straight year, windsurfing aficionados once again converged at Janao Bay in Mabini, Batangas as the 2016 Anilao Windsurf Regatta kicked off on Saturday.
The two-day event showcased the talents of local windsurfers and also drew foreign competitors with the scenic mountains providing the backdrop.
“It’s our way of saying that the sport is here,” said Gabriel Santos, one of the event’s co-head organizers.
Though the event has been a staple of Janao Bay since 1999, Santos’ group has helped in staging these events since 2013, all for the benefit of the Philippine Windsurfing Association (PWA).
“Most of the members of the national team are based here in Anilao,” he said, as the group are all optimistic of finding able athletes who can represent the country in windsurfing in the future.
“We want to spread more camps all over the archipelago because I think there are still more talents who can represent us really well,” he said, pointing at other windsurfing destinations like Caliraya and Boracay.
One of the regulars in Anilao Regatta is Geylord Coveta, who has already won numerous medals in international competitions for the Philippines.
Coveta and the other locals went head-to-head against foreign windsurfers in the event, something which, he noted, has greatly improved the level of competition.
“Maganda na nakakasali sila kasi mas nae-expose din yung mga locals doon sa mga tiga-ibang bansa,” he said.
Coveta, however, was firm in his stand when he said, “Ganun man, world class pa rin ang mga Pilipino.”
Santos welcomed the foreign participants with open arms and said that this is also testament to the great camaraderie the Philippine windsurfing community has.
“For them, they see that the windsurfing community here has a certain vibe, a certain aura that they all exchange with each other. We all have the same attitude in encouraging people to learn, share the knowledge, and push each other. The competition is there, but it’s more of sharing the experience with each other,” he said.
“Like any other sport, you get to find some kind of satisfaction when you get to do windsurfing. The experience of sharing the sport with other people who can relate to the feeling you have when you sail is the reason why we flock to this area every weekend. The sport draws us to be part of nature, at the same time, just hanging with other people who enjoy being near the water.”
Photo by Noy Morcoso
