ANGYAW #3 February 2011 Travel, Heritage, Culture & Photography Riding the wind in Boracay Riding the Wind in Boracay 1
Published, National Geographic Magazine (May 2010), Exhibited, International Orange Photography Festival, Changsha, China (October 2010), from the series A Ritual of Faith Estan Cabigas Photography estancabigas.com +639189456962 contact@estancabigas.com 2 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 3
Ang Langyaw My name is Estan Cabigas and I am a traveler, photographer and blogger. My ethnicity is a mixture of Filipino, Chinese and a minority, the Subanen tribe of Western Mindanao. I call Cebu as my permanent home, studied in Manila, worked in the cities of Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Makati, where I m now based. An inveterate traveler, I have gone to almost all corners of the Philippines as well as forayed abroad. I enjoy the freedom that going to places entails, both the trip itself and the destination, reveling in the many things that the act of travel offers: the sounds, the sights, the people and the flavors. I m more into going off the beaten path but am equally comfortable in tourist traps too. I have traded the comforts of the corporate life to pursue my interests. Right now, I m a documentary and freelance photographer focusing on architecture, travel, and sports. My work has been exhibited locally and abroad, published two coffeetable books, and attended local and international photography workshops. My blogs have also won in the Philippine Blog Awards, wrote for CNN Go and images published in the National Geographic Magazine and Geo. Check my photo portfolio at www.estancabigas.com. I make meaningful photo stories. If you re interested with my images, articles or want to hire me for work or for Photography talks and workshops, contact me at estancabigas@gmail.com or via my mobile at +63 918 945 6962. My other websites: www.langyaw.com www.simbahan.net www.fitandrun.info www.salagubang.net www.aninag.org All images and text by the author. All rights reserved. 2011 4 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 5
Riding the Wind Windsurfing and Kiteboarding in Boracay Text and Photos by Estan Cabigas estancabigas.com Simbahan.net langyaw.com It was like riding the wind. A good way to de-stress. Thus, a Filipino lady recreational windsurfer told me in between sips of her beverage and I was finishing my plate of spaghetti, roast chicken and calamares during one of the night parties of the 22nd Boracay International Funboard Cup (22-29 January 2011). 6 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 7
When I wrote about this international water sports event for CNN Go last year, I didn t have much of an idea of what the funboard cup or windsurfing is about. This year, I was there, witnessing first hand the riders with their windsurfing or kite boarding gear doing stunts and jumps and splashes and racing across the shallow waters off Bulabog Beach in Boracay. I was enthralled and wide eyed that this is one of the best things to do in Boracay from December to February with strong winds at 25 40 knots blowing because of the amihan, the northeast monsoon. So much better that I didn t take a dip at White Beach but stood my ground at the windy platform at sea and having myself burnt under the sun. It was just great fun. 8 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 9
But it can also be enjoyed all year round even when the habagat, the southwest monsoon, hits. But what does it take to ride the wind? Does one have to be strung tight and strapped to a board and pulled by the oversized kite with kevlar strings? Or just let the wind blow on the sail when windsurfing? Of course not. One has to master how to handle and manoeuvre the gear. To fall and drink sea water. To fail but not be frustrated. One can actually learn how. Green Yard Funboard Center offer courses that in no time, one can head to the waters and just 10 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 11
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have the time of one s life enjoying the sea and the adrenaline surging. And, oh boy, what a rush! I can almost feel the heart pumping as the board just slide and skim off the water. Or knowing when to turn and jive to change directions. It s like mastering to tame the wind and go where one wants to head to. What I do like about the whole stuff, especially with kiteboarding, which, they say is much easer to master than windsurfing, is learning how to jump. With the right wind, switch from eleven to one, pull and off you go. Simply said than done. But a whole lot exciting. What makes Boracay a good venue for this in the country and in Asia is the constant howling wind creating just the ideal conditions that windsurfers and kiteboarders 14 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 15
love. But it also depends on the tides. When it is low, expect the latter to be there first. When the tide starts to rise, the windsurfers make their appearance. a reef and it can just be fun. For those wanting a good challenge and waves, the area beyond the reef is great. There were even kiteboarders far off at sea. Couple this with the shallow waters off Bulabog Beach which is actually part of As night falls, parties can just be awesome, a good way to end the day. And the best thing? 16 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 17
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Windsurfers and kiteboarders are a fun lot to hang out with regardless of the nationality. There were Estonians, Swedes, Germans, Koreans, and those from Guam. There was even a Kazahk who is based in Moscow. Never underestimate the ladies though. They can be as formidable and competitive as the men, aggressive and impressive too. Beautiful to look, keen and with drive. 20 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 21
For spectators, the long line of Bulabog s beach strewn with algae is a good vantage point affording good views of the competition and those who are just enjoying the sea. Sea spray and sand can sometimes get into one s eyes, shades is advisable, but sand can get into one s hair. But the best vantage point? One of a series of media and timer s platforms at sea which is just awesome especially at the start when the horde of competitors come closer and closer, 22 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 23
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then in a few minutes, pass you by. Wow! But if you re in these areas, be ready with your sunblock, hat, longsleeves and water for hydration. Another attraction is the carnival which closes the competition. Here, participants wear funny costumes and hit the waves. Most men wear wigs and skirts but the more colorful the better it is. What impressed me with this internationally recognized competition is the performance of the Filipinos. I m proud to say that we do have a talent pool who can compete with the best in the world. It s not only the men, but the women also gave a strong showing! Windsurfing and kite boarding in Boracay is really a good alternative than just going ATV, ziplining, zorbing or frolicking at White 26 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 27
Beach. Unfortunately, less people know about this considering that it s just a few minutes ride (or walk) to the other side, way past the bars and crowd. The next time you go to Boracay? Head to Bulabog Beach and just learn to ride and master the wind. With gratitude to Nenette Graf of Boracay Beach Resort who invited me to cover the 22nd Boracay International Funboard Cup, www.boracaywindsurfing.com 28 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 29
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let me photograph and blog about your place Langyaw.com Winner, Culture and Heritage, ( W a n d e r i n g J u a n T r a v e l B l o g C o n t e s t 2 0 1 0 ) Best Travel Blog (Philipine Blog Awards 2009) Best Single Post - Travel (Philippine Blog Awards 2008) +639189456962 contact@estancabigas.com 44 LANGYAW #03 February 2011 Riding the Wind in Boracay 45
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