Riding the wind in Boracay

LANGYAW #3
Trave l , H e r i t ag e , Cultur e & P ho to graphy
February 2011
Riding the wind
in Boracay
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Published, National Geographic Magazine (May 2010),
Exhibited, International Orange Photography Festival,
Changsha, China (October 2010),
from the series “A Ritual of Faith”
Est a n C a bi ga s Ph o t o g r a p h y
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e s t a ncabigas.com +6391894 56962
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contact@estancabigas.com
Ang Langyaw
My name is Estan
I have traded the comforts of the corporate life to
Cabigas and I am a
pursue my interests. Right now, I’m a documentary
traveler, photographer
and freelance photographer focusing on architecture,
and blogger.
travel, and sports. My work has been exhibited
locally and abroad, published two coffeetable books,
My ethnicity is a
and attended local and international photography
mixture of Filipino,
workshops.
Chinese and a minority,
the Subanen tribe of
My blogs have also won in the Philippine Blog
Western Mindanao.
Awards, wrote for CNN Go and images published in
I call Cebu as my
the National Geographic Magazine and Geo.
permanent home,
studied in Manila,
worked in the cities of Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao
Check my photo portfolio at
www.estancabigas.com.
and Makati, where I’m now based.
I make meaningful photo stories. If you’re interested
An inveterate traveler, I have gone to almost all
with my images, articles or want to hire me for work
corners of the Philippines as well as forayed abroad.
or for Photography talks and workshops, contact me
I enjoy the freedom that going to places entails,
at estancabigas@gmail.com or via my mobile at
both the trip itself and the destination, reveling in
+63 918 945 6962.
the many things that the act of travel offers: the
sounds, the sights, the people and the flavors. I’m
My other websites:
more into going off the beaten path but am equally
www.langyaw.com
www.simbahan.net
comfortable in tourist traps too.
www.fitandrun.info
www.salagubang.net
www.aninag.org
All images and text by the author. All rights reserved.
©2011
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Riding the Wind
Windsurfing and Kiteboarding in Boracay
T e xt and Ph otos by
E s tan C a bi ga s
estancabigas. com
S imbah an.net
langyaw.com
It was like riding the wind.
A good way to de-stress.
T
hus, a Filipino lady
recreational windsurfer
told me in between sips of her
beverage and I was finishing
my plate of spaghetti, roast
chicken and calamares during
one of the night parties of the
22nd Boracay International
Funboard Cup (22-29 January
2011).
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When I wrote about this international water
sports event for CNN Go last year, I didn’t
have much of an idea of what the funboard
cup or windsurfing is about. This year, I was
there, witnessing first hand the riders with
their windsurfing or kite boarding gear doing
stunts and jumps and splashes and racing
across the shallow waters off Bulabog Beach
in Boracay.
I was enthralled and wide eyed that this is
one of the best things to do in Boracay from
December to February with strong winds
at 25 – 40 knots blowing because of the
amihan , the northeast monsoon. So much
better that I didn’t take a dip at White Beach
but stood my ground at the windy platform at
sea and having myself burnt under the sun. It
was just great fun.
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But it can also be enjoyed all year round even
when the habagat , the southwest monsoon,
hits.
But what does it take to ride the wind? Does
one have to be strung tight and strapped
to a board and pulled by the oversized kite
with kevlar strings? Or just let the wind blow
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on the sail when windsurfing? Of course
not. One has to master how to handle and
manoeuvre the gear. To fall and drink sea
water. To fail but not be frustrated.
One can actually learn how. Green Yard
Funboard Center offer courses that in no
time, one can head to the waters and just
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have the time of one’s life enjoying the sea
and the adrenaline surging. And, oh boy,
what a rush! I can almost feel the heart
pumping as the board just slide and skim
off the water. Or knowing when to turn and
jive to change directions. It’s like mastering
to tame the wind and go where one wants to
head to.
What I do like about the whole stuff,
especially with kiteboarding, which, they say
is much easer to master than windsurfing, is
learning how to jump. With the right wind,
switch from eleven to one, pull and off you
go. Simply said than done. But a whole lot
exciting.
What makes Boracay a good venue for this
in the country and in Asia is the constant
howling wind creating just the ideal
conditions that windsurfers and kiteboarders
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love. But it also depends on the tides. When
it is low, expect the latter to be there first.
When the tide starts to rise, the windsurfers
make their appearance.
a reef and it can just be fun. For those
wanting a good challenge and waves, the area
beyond the reef is great. There were even
kiteboarders far off at sea.
Couple this with the shallow waters off
Bulabog Beach which is actually part of
As night falls, parties can just be awesome, a
good way to end the day. And the best thing?
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Windsurfers and kiteboarders are a fun lot to
hang out with regardless of the nationality.
There were Estonians, Swedes, Germans,
Koreans, and those from Guam. There was
even a Kazahk who is based in Moscow.
Never underestimate the ladies though.
They can be as formidable and competitive
as the men, aggressive and impressive too.
Beautiful to look, keen and with drive.
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For spectators, the long line of Bulabog’s
beach strewn with algae is a good vantage
point affording good views of the competition
and those who are just enjoying the sea. Sea
spray and sand can sometimes get into one’s
eyes, shades is advisable, but sand can get
into one’s hair.
But the best vantage point? One of a series of
media and timer’s platforms at sea which is
just awesome especially at the start when the
horde of competitors come closer and closer,
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then in a few minutes, pass you by. Wow!
But if you’re in these areas, be ready with
your sunblock, hat, longsleeves and water for
hydration.
Another attraction is the carnival which
closes the competition. Here, participants
wear funny costumes and hit the waves.
Most men wear wigs and skirts but the more
colorful the better it is.
What impressed me with this internationally
recognized competition is the performance
of the Filipinos. I’m proud to say that we do
have a talent pool who can compete with the
best in the world. It’s not only the men, but
the women also gave a strong showing!
Windsurfing and kite boarding in Boracay
is really a good alternative than just going
ATV, ziplining, zorbing or frolicking at White
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Beach. Unfortunately, less people know
about this considering that it’s just a few
minutes ride (or walk) to the other side, way
past the bars and crowd.
The next time you go to Boracay? Head to
Bulabog Beach and just learn to ride and
master the wind.
With gratitude to Nenette Graf of Boracay Beach
Resort who invited me to cover the 22nd Boracay
International Funboard Cup,
www.boracaywindsurfing.com
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let me photograph and blog
about your place
La n g ya w .c o m
Winner, C ulture and Heritage,
( W a ndering Juan Travel Blog Contest 2010)
B e s t T r avel Blog (Ph ilipine Blog A w ards 2009)
B e s t S i ngl e P o s t - T ravel (Ph ilippine Blog A w ards 2008 )
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+6391894 56962
contact@estancabigas.com
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