MANILA, Philippines ? Everyone?s favorite summer destination was all wet during the long Labor Day weekend. Sure, you?d expect water on the beach but not falling from the sky, as it did in the third annual international Boracay Dragon Boat race.
Over 40 teams from Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United States, and the Philippines competed for the gold.
The sky was dark, gray and gloomy, and the rains never let up but paddlers?always the fun-loving bunch?wouldn?t let a little weather malfunction spoil the fun. If there is anything to know about dragon boat paddlers, they love to paddle?and party.
The beachfront of the Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Convention Center was transformed to give a bleacher?s view of the rough sea arena?the nautical race that tests endurance, strength, stamina, and tenacity.
The weather didn?t dampen much the mood as the vibes of fun and play pervaded the air. Non-competing teams swam, did water fights and formed pyramids in the water. Hong Kong?s Lama Dragons lent color to the grey recalcitrant weather?their neon pink uniforms and flotation devices. The high-spirited UP Dragon Boat Team cheered and began most of the water games.
The rain did cause a few problems. It sank the first set of dragon boats at the beginning of the race, prodding the decision to reduce the number of paddlers from nine pairs to six for the competition.
Also, many of the Hong Kong and Singapore paddlers, trained on calm rivers, found themselves out of their comfort zone.
Indeed Boracay?s choppy waters made the race even harder than it already was.
Dragon-hearted
Without doubt, however, it was the Camarines Sur Rowing Team that took everyone?s breath away again as it took four gold spots and led the pack in every race.
Team captain Ruben Brazal attributes this solid achievement to the team?s ?training, discipline and unity.? Most of the team is young, whose livelihood, Brazal explains, requires them to be in the water. Many are fishermen.
The team has a respectable standing abroad, having competed in Singapore, China, and the World Championships in Penang, Malaysia. Team Cam Sur is the fiery dragon this whole year round.
Absent from last year?s competition but present this year was the UP Dragon Boat Team. While they failed to make it to the grand finals, they were strong contenders. But this team had strong esprit d corps, as one of the organizers noted. Out of the race, the team expended energy goading the other teams into water games and into cheering. And as the rains fell hard during the finals of the mixed and men?s 500-meter race, this team didn?t leave the water and continued to dance and cheer for other paddlers. That was the spirit.
Dancing with dragons
This care-free and party-hard spirit is clearly evident among all the teams on May 2 at the ballroom of the Boracay Regency. As people sat down to dinner, a Latin-inspired band sang to rouse the crowd. The ladies of the Lamma Dragons didn?t need much revving up?all dressed in pink, with boas and wigs, they danced on their chairs and later on up the table. The women of Stormy Dragons (Hong Kong), Singapore Barbarians and Bugsay Boracay Blades joined in the revelry. Before long, the crowd had formed up onstage and this was all before the awarding.
The Camarines Sur Rowing Team won the gold medal in the 500 meters Mixed Open and Men?s Open and the 300 meters Mixed Open and Men?s Open races. The 500 meters Women?s Open was won by Singapore Paddler?s Club. The ladies of the Philippine National Police won the 300 meters Women?s Open.
The third Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival is presented by the The Department of Tourism, powered by Smart Communications, and co-presented by Havaianas. Zest Air was the official carrier. For more information, visit www.boracaydragonboat.ph.
