The road to the Bohol PDBF International Crew Challenge
By Rey Anthony H. Chiu
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol March 8 (PIA) – In less than a month,
expect the beating of drums, not the rumble and roll, but a steady booming as
tempo for the methodical and fluid movements of paddlers breaking water in the
first tune-up races for the Bohol Philippine Dragon Boat Festival International
Crew Challenge in April.
The tune up races set on March 22-23 will gather the paddlers who have been into training with international paddler and dragonboat coach Annabell Tario, said Charlie Holganza, race director and Bohol festival executive key person.
Holganza said all competitions will be held at the Dauis Promenade and is visible across Tagbilaran City Strait.
Dubbed the “Inato – First Bohol Dragon Boat Club Crew Challenge,” the tune-up races will use 12 man-teams.
Holganza said people who think they can come up and stage a serious challenge could join and possibly paddle their way to the international challenge set on April 26-30.
“All they need to do is come up with 12-man-team which should be composed of 10 paddlers, one steerer and one drummer. Two reserves are optional,” according to Holganza, a retired navy serviceman.
The teams who underwent trainings paid P4,000 as registration fee, which includes the training and boat rentals, according to Bohol Paddlers Association president Dr. Doyet Dumaluan.
Open for competitions are categories for men, women and mixed men and women on a 60/40 male-female ratio, competing in 200, 500 and 2,000 meters, Holganza said.
Holganza said locals can actually excel in the paddling contest, as proven by the Philippine Team which competed in the US international race.
“Dragonboating, a sport now slowly paddling its way to the Olympics was inspired by an ancient Chinese statesman and poet who was an adviser of the Chinese emperor,” he shared.
Today, dragon boat racing is held globally. It is a water sport that is embraced by the modern world, Holganza said.
Bohol’s hosting of the event can add to the province’s image as a tourism destination and something that Boholanos are looking forward to not only because it impacts largely on its tourism industry but also for youth and sports development.
Holganza said the Bohol Philippine Dragon Boat Festival International Crew Challenge in the last days of April is close to the fiesta season giving it an added value as the fiesta crowd and the dragon boat festival crowd are likely to feed on each other's activities and offerings. (FCR/RAHC/PIA Bohol)
The tune up races set on March 22-23 will gather the paddlers who have been into training with international paddler and dragonboat coach Annabell Tario, said Charlie Holganza, race director and Bohol festival executive key person.
Holganza said all competitions will be held at the Dauis Promenade and is visible across Tagbilaran City Strait.
Dubbed the “Inato – First Bohol Dragon Boat Club Crew Challenge,” the tune-up races will use 12 man-teams.
Holganza said people who think they can come up and stage a serious challenge could join and possibly paddle their way to the international challenge set on April 26-30.
“All they need to do is come up with 12-man-team which should be composed of 10 paddlers, one steerer and one drummer. Two reserves are optional,” according to Holganza, a retired navy serviceman.
The teams who underwent trainings paid P4,000 as registration fee, which includes the training and boat rentals, according to Bohol Paddlers Association president Dr. Doyet Dumaluan.
Open for competitions are categories for men, women and mixed men and women on a 60/40 male-female ratio, competing in 200, 500 and 2,000 meters, Holganza said.
Holganza said locals can actually excel in the paddling contest, as proven by the Philippine Team which competed in the US international race.
“Dragonboating, a sport now slowly paddling its way to the Olympics was inspired by an ancient Chinese statesman and poet who was an adviser of the Chinese emperor,” he shared.
Today, dragon boat racing is held globally. It is a water sport that is embraced by the modern world, Holganza said.
Bohol’s hosting of the event can add to the province’s image as a tourism destination and something that Boholanos are looking forward to not only because it impacts largely on its tourism industry but also for youth and sports development.
Holganza said the Bohol Philippine Dragon Boat Festival International Crew Challenge in the last days of April is close to the fiesta season giving it an added value as the fiesta crowd and the dragon boat festival crowd are likely to feed on each other's activities and offerings. (FCR/RAHC/PIA Bohol)