MANILA, Philippines?When I got into wakeboarding at 36 years old, I knew immediately that I would love this sport. Having gone water skiing back in the ?70s and being able to ski behind someone?s boat, I developed a love for that water sport. In the late ?90s, when wakeboarding became a sport, I had been looking out for that rare opportunity to ski for free.

Then in August 2006, the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC), three months old then, started making waves in extreme sports. So I immediately planned a five-day trip with my crazy group of friends to Pili, Camarines Sur.

There were only a handful of people at the park. We all tried out our skills with the help of resident pro Reuben Buchanan. Luckily, I had experienced the Singapore wakeboarding park a few weeks before so I was able to get up easily on my first try. The next day, I tried the kicker, also known as the ramp. It?s the first step to hurdling the obstacles. I asked Reuben and Mumph Ruiz to stay on either side of it, so I would not chicken out.

I studied the process, repeating the mantra, ?Bend your legs, bend your elbows and flatten your board.? Although I was not able to land and ride away, I flew over it like a pro.

The tricks progressed to ?grabbing? or touching your board for style. Then I tried the sliders which are longer flat ramps where one can do a multitude of tricks like turns, hops and the more graceful-looking presses. It was so exciting and addicting.

The rush was incredible.

But do not be fooled?the bad landing and whiplashes can give you a neck ache for days. Just get a massage at night and ride again the next day.

Almost two years later, I won the women?s open national championships in 2007 and 2008. I watched the international pros do tricks like tootsie roll, nose press, raleys, blind judge. And I swore that one day I would do those tricks. I am still on my way to getting there but I will never stop trying. No matter how many times I smack my face, cheeks, knees, chest and back on that dense water, I will not stop trying.

Great accomplishment

Joining the first national competition and finishing third was a great accomplishment for me at 36. But that was not the end. As Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte set his sights on hosting the world championships, he also began hoping a Filipino would be on the podium with the pros. So he pushed all of us riders to get better. We joined national championships every year and international competitions.

As venue of the world championship two weeks ago, Camarines Sur was visited by hundreds of foreign riders, particularly those escaping the winter and wanting to try a new sport. There were also the top ones practising for the world tilt. I saw tricks I couldn?t even identify. I met the best of the best in Cam Sur, made friends with them, partied with and learned from them.

That?s the world competition?a gathering of friends who share the passion for wakeboarding. These international pro riders may not even remember me, yet I am proud to say I competed in the world championships with among the best in the world like Nick Taylor, No.1 wake skater; Tom Fooshe, No.1 cable rider; and Shane Watson, No.1 boat rider.

I was hoping to be in the women?s master?s division by 31 years old, but unfortunately I was the only competitor above 31, so they put me in the women 16 years and above category. After two days of training, my body already ached and I could not do too many tricks. If I was only 16, I?d be way better than I am now. But how many 38-year-old women can say that even after three kids, they can still compete in cable wakeboarding?

Secret society

It was not only I who was part of this ?secret society,? as you might call the people obsessed with wakeboarding. My son Blade, 7, was the youngest male competitor in the world championships. He couldn?t tackle going over the ramps at first but after watching the other kids and pros, he decided that for his last trick, he would try hitting the kicker.

My son hit the left corner of the kicker and rode off unscathed. He had the biggest smile on his face when he received his trophy for third place in the boys? 9-years-old-and-under category.

The best part was the take-home treats. Aside from the trinkets that prove you were a competitor, dog tags and baller IDs, the best part was sharing stories with the foreign riders. The Thais, who were the only riders from Southeast Asia, are now part of my circle of great friends. So are those from Florida, Canada, Germany.

The author placed fourth, women?s division, in the CamSur World Championship last July 4-7, the highest-ranked Filipino in the international event.