Cebu dragon boat teams to compete in Palompon

Members of Team Kugtong EXR of Cebu

Three teams from Cebu will be competing in the Palompon Dragon Boat Exhibition Races tomorrow off the shores of the Tabuk Sanctuary in Palompon, Leyte.

The race is spearheaded by the Municipality of Palompon, in cooperation with Dragon Boat Cebu Central Philippines (DCCP) and  Habagat Outdoor Equipment.

The Cebuano teams that will be participating in the race that aims to promote dragon boat in the region are Kugtong EXR, Bogo Green City Paddlers and Team Paramount Habagat.

Team Paramount Habagat head Randy Su confirmed to Cebu Daily News that Team Hilera from Dumaguete City and two teams from Palompon will also be participating in the event.

Su also said that despite being just an exhibition race, cash prizes and merchandises will be given to the teams.

A free clinic will also be conducted today in Palompon for beginners who want to try out the sport.

LONG BOATS FOR PALOMPON

Meanwhile, Su said Leyte 4th District representative Lucy Torres-Gomez  and Palompon mayor Ramon Onate will be present to witness the event.

According to Su, teams from Palompon  are hoping that Gomez will donate a long boat for them, especially now that the sport is starting to make ripples in the town.

Su said Palompon was already offered a boat before but no one accepted it at that time since no one knew what to do with it.

DCCP will bring two long boats for the Palompon race, one each from Team Habagat and Team Bogo City.

This race will be a great way for the teams to prepare for the 1st Cebu International Dragon Boat Club Crew Championship to be held in May 2016 in Cebu.