EXPECT the country’s best paddlers here as the 3rd Leg of the Philippine Kayak Challenge rows to the region’s eco-tourism capital this November.
The leg comprises a marathon kayak crossing from Cebu to Bohol, organizers said during the recent Provincial Tourism Council Meeting last week.
According to Val Camara, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) brings to the Visayas the Adventure Philippines Kayaking Campaign to generate a new consciousness for the sport.
The racing event, open for single and tandem, sit in and sit-on kayak enthusiasts would take off from an area somewhere near Punta Engaño in Cebu.
Then it would take paddlers to the coasts of Cordova and then cross to Olango island in Cebu.
From there, the race shifts to a dangerous crossing to Getafe Bohol through the islets and tide flats to complete the 24-kilometer crossing distance.
Then from Getafe town, the racers take their boats to the coasts of Buenavista, Inabanga, Clarin and then for a short stop at a sandbar off Tubigon town.
Then the race continues to Calape, take the Moalong River and the out to PuntaCruz point in Maribojoc before crossing the Maribojoc Bay for the final dash to Panglao island.
“This is exactly the activity that would open up another niche market for tourism in Bohol,” asserts Camara.
He said kayak ideally fits into Bohol because the sport is supportive of the eco-cultural tourism dream here and allows coastal communities to come up with future plans to make kayak a part of their environmental tourism options.
It all started when Secretary Ace Durano personally took on a kayak and explored Wahig River in Danao town, and everything just happened, commented Gil Ocena of local kayak outfitter Bugsay and Bohol Outdoor Explorers.
BOEX coordinates for the DOT the preparations for the Bohol Cebu segment of the “paddle the country” campaign.
The secretary’s love for the sport may have been a big motivation for the country’s second look at the potential of the sport as a tourism activity here, Ocena said.
The site is ideal for the challenge as Bohol ranks first in the country’s kayaking destinations, Camara said.
More than that, race organizers said the coastal areas between Getafe to Panglao in Bohol would be hosts to amateur kayak enthusiasts as they paddle their way to Panglao in this segment of the race.
The activity boosts Bohol’s as a model for eco-tourism. (PIA)
