Stand up paddlers a boon to Lapu-Lapu sports tourism

CEBU, Philippines - Huge impact and a potential attraction on the business tourism side.

This was the assessment of Lapu-Lapu City Tourism office chief Hembler Mendoza regarding the historic feat of the six stand up paddlers who made the Camotes Sea-Hilutongan Channel crossing during the “Extreme SUP 2015” last January 15 starting at the Santiago Bay Resort in Camotes Island and ending at the Be Resorts in Lapu-Lapu City.

The group was composed of Cebuano stand up paddler Buzzy Budlong, German national Johannes Leib, female stand up paddler Jade Abellana, Epos Falcone, Jovil Villamor and Alain Jacquez.

Mendoza said the event, which was part of an awareness-raising campaign of Let’s Do It Philippines Movement initiated by the Sustainable Energy and Enterprise Development for Communities (SEED4COM), has a very big potential to attract tourist specially in Mactan Island, which is groomed by the local government unit to become a premier tourist destination in the country.

"We are very impressed with the event today and we hope that it will be repeated again next year," said Mendoza, who was among those who welcomed back the paddlers at the shores of Be Resorts.

The 42-year-old Budlong, the Island Philippines CEO, and Germany’s Johannes Leib of Island Buzz Philippines SUP and Kayak Guide, came out as the only two paddlers who conquered the challenging 45-kilometer stretch between Mactan and Camotes in moderately rough seas without let up in a little bit more than eight hours.

The rest of their companions also finished the route but have to sometimes rest in the pumpboat that was escorting them.

Mendoza was so impressed with the event that they will try to find more corporate sponsors so that it can be staged again next year.

Budlong, for his part, said if the event pushes through next year, it will be an international competition featuring different categories like the beginners and experts. It will also offer more race divisions like the marathon, dash, relay and sprint SUPs.

Upon their arrival, the paddlers were greeted by cheers from the waiting spectators led by SEED4COM executive director Dann Diez, Be Resorts sales and event officer Jin Marollano and Mendoza.

When asked how he finds the ride, Budlong remarked that it was long and tough.

“It was very long and very tough. We learned a lot from this route today. Although Amihan na karon, the fact that a Low Pressure Area (LPA) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) just as we were beginning to paddle made the crossing very difficult,” said Budlong. (PR) (FREEMAN)