embers of the Philippine Outrigger Canoe Club pose for the cameras during the launching of their 200-kilometer open water paddling expedition dubbed as “Paddle Forward Cebu.” CDN Digital photo | Dale Rosal
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Thirteen paddlers will brave the open sea in a five-day outrigger canoeing expedition dubbed “Paddle Forward Cebu Expedition” from June 12 to June 16, 2021.
The 200-kilometer outrigger canoe paddling expedition around southern Cebu will start at seas off the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City and end in the southwestern Cebu town of Moalboal. The team is expected to finish the expedition in five days.
“We’ve been planning this since mid last year, but it didn’t push through because of the pandemic. This is supposed to help the recovery of tourism in Cebu after it was badly affected by the pandemic,” said Buzzy Budlong, the founder and president of the Philippine Outrigger Canoe Club (POCC), during the official launching of the event on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at the Diamond Suites Hotel in Cebu City.
Budlong will lead the group that will also include Faye Jimiera, Ludivino Alvez Jr., Josephine Baquero, Rain Del Socorro, Shiela Solana-Alvez, Alberto Saavedra, Arnold Boniao, Ai Lustre, Nat Borromeo, Carlo De Asis, Charlie Sutcliffe, and Ryan Capuno.
The group will be using a 6-man single outrigger canoe in the expedition. The 13-man expedition team will be divided into several groups that will take turns on the canoe every day for five days.
The team is expected to cover around 50 kilometers each day until they complete the expedition on June 16 in Moalboal.
They will make stops in every town they pass along the way.
“The biggest challenge for us is the changing winds and the weather condition considering that we’re already entering the Habagat from the Amihan season. Also, it will also be challenging to coordinate with the LGU in each town,” added Budlong.
On June 14, 2021, they will hold a paddling clinic in Oslob town for the youth. This first outrigger canoe expedition is part of the Department of Tourism’s “Balik Turismo” initiative to promote sustainable tourism.
The event is held in line with the 123rd Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12.
/bmjo
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