INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines--The Philippine Kayaking Series attempts to set the longest kayaking marathon in the country in its third leg, which crosses from Cebu to Bohol in the Visayas.

Dubbed the Red Bull Kayak Explore Cebu-Bohol Crossing, it covers a distance of 120 kilometers and takes place from December 4 to 6.

?It is about linking each and every destination to augment the Philippine Kayaking Trail project of the Department of Tourism,? said Val Camara, president of the Philippine Kayaking Association (PKA).

The PKS, which began in 1997, was re-launched last year in Taal, Batangas.

This year the series began with a 25-kilometer race in Hundred Islands, Pangasinan last April followed by the 42-kilometer Cavite-Corregidor-Bataan stretch in September. The series ends with the 120-kilometer Cebu-Bohol leg.

?For this third leg, logistics was complicated because we need to change boats in every leg as we pass by different municipalities,? said Camara.

Participants can join either in tandem kayaks or in singles kayak. Forty tandem kayak participants and 10 singles are expected.

?Aside from locals, we?re also expecting some Asians to join. Those who have their own boats can register on the day itself but those who don?t have kayaks should register until November 29,? said Camara.

For three days and two nights, about 90 paddlers composed of locals and expatriates would brave the waters amidst lush greens of mangroves in the Visayas region. Registration for the kayak marathon costs P900.

On the first day, paddlers would cover 50 kilometers as they begin their adventure from Tambuli Beach Club in Maribago, Mactan Island, passing Pandanon, Banacon, Buenavista until they reach Tubigon Island in Bohol, where they would spend the night to rest.

The second leg of the race would start as early as 6a.m. and would cover 40 kilometers from Tubigon Island until they reach the historic Punta Cruz watchtower. For the third leg, 30 kilometers would be covered from Maribojoc up to the finish line at the Bohol Beach Club.

The first tandem to cross the finish line will receive P20,000 while the second and third placers will get P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.

Alongside the marathon, beginners may join a five-kilometer novice race or the flotilla eco-tour, which involves kayaking, island hopping, moonlight paddling, and cultural presentation. The PKA also encourages participation from the local community.

?Kayaking is more of a recreational sport rather than a discipline sport. It had been the advocacy of the association to uplift and empower the local community by holding kayak races and eco-touring.,? said Camara.

?In this way, we also train them so that they can sustain tourism in their area,? added Camara.

The PKA eyes El Nido, Baler, and Davao as venues for the 2010 kayaking series. Interested participants can check www.kayakphilippines.com or contact 0915-4359321 for more details.