ANILAO, Batangas— Windsurfing might just be the next big sport in the country.
Hundreds of windsurfing enthusiasts across the country joined the annual Windsurf Regatta, which took place in Anilao, Batangas on Saturday and Sunday (March 28-29).
“We have the place, we have the people, we have the know-how and (we) have the potential,” said Verge Bayani, a windsurfing enthusiast and a race officer.
The two-day event, sponsored by the Philippine Windsurfing Association (PWA), was made open to novices or beginners who are interested in the sport.
“This windsurfing regatta is for the novices. This is a nice start for the PWA to start young guys and newbies to join. That’s why we’re concentrating on the novices and the beginners,” Bayani said.
Bayani said that windsurfing, a solo sport, has been in the country since 1977.
He said the windsurfing regatta is beyond competition.
“It’s not only windsurfing as windsurfing to have fun but windsurfing to promote camaraderie especially with the new ones to entice them to continue on with the sport that’s why we have this small competition,” he said.
According to him, windsurfing enthusiasts are qualified to join the PWA.
“Here, you learn from the better guys, the basics of windsurfing especially in racing, and all the techniques you need to learn and also we will provide you with confidence,” he said.
He said the PWA enticed the youth especially the out of school youth to join but hey need to continue their studies if they want to be part of the group.
“We entice the kids to get off the streets and entice them in the sport but at the same time (encourage them to) continue studying,” he said.
He said windsurfers should love the sport if they really want to excel in the sports.
“It’s more of loving the sport. You have to develop that passion for it,” he said, citing that windsurfing is hard to learn compared to other wind sports.
He said he is optimistic with the future of windsurfing in the country “with a lot of the youth joining and learning windsurfing.”
He mentioned that the Philippine Olympic Committee have been supportive of the group.
“They provide us with equipment, support especially for the out of school youth. They provide allowances from them as long as they continue their studies. IDL
PHOTO BY NESTOR CORRALES
Winners of the windsurf regatta were the following:
Kids Girls
1 Alysa Fajermo
2 Zoe Lazaro
3 Chloe Buencamino
Kids Boys
1 Joshua Andrei Napa
2 Alvaro RDA
3 Joaquin Manuel Jimenez
Novice Female
1 Kail Kalalo
2 Nicole Dy
3 Kaye Panganiban
Novice Male
1 Eric Lejano
2 Ross Marco Berenguel
3 Chuck Severino
Class C Male
1 Alfonso RDA
2 Carlo Navarro
3 Kim Ryan “Kuya Kim” Palomo
Class B Female
1 Christel Lejano
2 Jona See
3 Tanya Yuquimpo
Class B Male
1 Edgardo “Jon” Silverio, Jr.
2 Joseph Monzon
3 Gabby Santos
Class A Female
1 Isabel “Bel” Martinez
2 Charizzanne Jewel “Bonay” Napa
3 Anna Marco
Class A Male
1 Ramon Balaguer
2 Frendling Alagos
3 Nory Hizon
Open Slalom Female
1 Angela “Barbie” Adrian
2 Margarita Lazo
3 Leah Sanchez
Open Slalom Male
1 Yancy “Tong” Kaibigan
2 Geylord “Evang” Coveta
3 Harold “Totot” Madrigal
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