SCHOOL’S OUT and summer is here, and that means everyone is heading to the beach to get their tan, and silently praying that their diet and work out that began last January for that beach-ready body compares to everyone else’s in the sandy white paradise of Boracay.

While everyone is excited to go wake-boarding and kite surfing, I’m actually excited for the annual Dragon Boat race. Last year, more than a race, it was one big party of over a thousand racers from different countries. But don’t get me wrong, there was plenty of action in the water as well.

From April 30-May 2, the beachfront of Boracay Regency will be filled with over 1,500 paddlers from Australia, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States, and the Philippines for the Third Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival.

If it’s anything like last year’s competition, there’s bound to be great fun choosing a team, sitting on the beach and cheering them on. And of course, there will be wild parties in the evening because, as I discovered last year, paddlers just love to drink, get together and have an awesome time—even if they are competing against one another.

The 2009 Dragon Boat Festival is presented by the Department of Tourism, Smart Communications and Havaianas. It is organized by the Boracay International Paddlers Association with the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation. Sponsors are ZestAir, Yellowcab Pizza, Malayan Insurance, Mentos Ice Gum, Tomato Swimwear, and Coconut of the Body.

For more information, visit www.boracaydragonboat.ph.

Highlights of the 2008 Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival

• Team Liechtenstein Princely Navy (Hong Kong) said that they had two competitions—one in the water and the other in Cocomangas (15 shots and still standing).

• The Aqua Aero Fortis Dragons (Hong Kong) and the Manila Dragons (Philippines) clashed in the water when their boats collided and crew members exchanged blows.

• The SNP Fair Dinkum (Hong Kong) team began to do an interpretative dance during the opening ceremonies and they were cheered on by their competitors.

• In the exciting championships in the Men’s 500-meter Open, the Wann Sea Dragons came out victorious. Prior to the race, they marched toward their boats in gold robes and Queen’s “We are the champions” blaring from the speakers.

• Every team hoped that the Tribu Camarines Sur, considered a strong team, was not going to win. But it ended up winning the 300-meter Mixed Open and the 300-meter Men’s Open.