MANILA, Nov. 3 — The Philippine Kayaking Association, in cooperation with Sun and Sea Sports Systems and the Bohol Extreme Outdoors, will stage the Red Bull Cebu-Bohol Crossing Series 3 to the Visayas on Dec. 3 to 6.

Considered as the final and longest leg of the series, the three-leg, 125 kayak marathon, starts at the Tambuli East Beach Resort in Cebu City and will pass through Punta Engano en route to Tubigon Bohol, race organizer Val Camara said.

The second leg will take the racers from Tubigon to Maribojoc for another 29-km paddle, while the final day will run from Maribojoc to Bohol Beach Club in Panglao, Bohol.

Camara said 5-km novice races and kayaking clinics will be held at each leg.

The series started with the 25-km Hundred Island Summer Eco-Challenge in Alaminos, Pangasinan last summer and was followed up with the 42-km Cavite-Corregider Crossing last September.

“We are establishing trails for the Philippines to become a kayaking destination,” said Camara at the Tuesday PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue Branch in Manila.

“We are connecting the dots,” added Camara in the Forum backed by Accel, Outlast Battery and Pagcor.

Meanwhile, Red Bull top gun Ric Mercado announced in the same forum that his firm is backing extreme games being the kayak marathon's main sponsor.

"This is our first time to sponsor a tournament of this magnitude and definitely, we're not talking about basketball," said Mercado.

The Department of Tourism (DoT), through the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) has identified kayaking as among the emerging sports adventures to be promoted to the international market.

In fact, the DoT-PCVC has recently published a book titled "Kayak Philippines" containing validated trails in the country which the Series hopes to continue every year.

Kayaking in the Philippines

MANILA, Sept. 8 — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has recently launched its newest tourism product that features kayaking around the Philippines.

Introduced to major foreign buyers attending the Philippine Travel Exchange ’09 (PHITEX), the new tourism product highlights kayaking adventure in beaches, lagoons, rivers, lakes, and springs.

DOT Secretary Joseph 'Ace' Durano, said “In a country of 7,107 islands, one can only imagine the infinite possibilities of kayaking adventure. Exploring the span of our clear waters surely opens travelers to the unique splendor of our country."

A short video on kayaking in the Philippines was presented to top travel buyers from Asia and Europe, with delegates comprised of tour operators, travel agencies, retailers, corporate planners, alternative tours companies, and incentive travel firms.

“Kayaking allows tourists inside secret coves, inlets, channels that lead to stunning views of our mangrove forests, limestone cliffs, unspoiled coastlines and other exciting mysteries around our islands,” said Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions.

A book entitled, Kayak Philippines, was also handed out to participants. Apart from kayaking tips and basic paddling symbols, the book showed top sites and trails, which include, Pinacanauan River, Hundred Islands, Cavite-Corregidor-Bataan, Caramoan Peninsula, Northern Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Siargao Island, and Samal Island.

The Cavite-Corregidor-Bataan features a historic kayaking trail, starting at the entrance of the Manila Bay, passing Cavite, and then Corregidor Island which bore witness to World War II.

Tourists can opt to disembark on the island and enjoy a walking tour of sites in Bataan including Mt. Samat, the Shrine of Valor.

The Caramoan Peninsula offers a view of limestones, rugged coastlines, and white sand-ringed islands, complemented by a stunning view of underwater marine life by snorkeling around shallow waters.

For the high-spending market, the DOT offers luxury kayaking in Palawan. Known for its idyllic beaches, lagoons and caves, Palawan enjoins travelers to kayak in El Nido and Coron.

Cebu draws attention to paddling in Hilutungan Island and Marine Sanctuary, Sulpa Island, Olango Island and Mactan Island for moonlight kayaking.

Bohol, the frontier of ecotourism, lists several sites for kayaking which include, Banacon Island, Pandanon Island, Dumog and Ubay Islands, Abatan River, and Punta Cruz, which teem with mangrove forest and sandbars. Lagoon moonlight paddling is also offered in Panglao Island.

In Samar, the unspoiled waters of Marabut, and Sohoton Natural Bridge Park are featured, while Siargao has Guyam Island, Sohoton Cove, and Del Carmen Lagoon.

Samal Island in Davao is likewise a kayak site, promising reefs, mountains and caves along the way.

Stanie Soriano, Corporate Relations Manager of Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation, (PCVC) DOT's partner in the project, added that, "These paddling spots can be availed through several tour packages such as the New Adventure-Kayak Hundred Islands, Historic Manila Bay Kayaking Adventures; Luxury Kayaking Safari in Bacuit Bay, Palawan, and Bohol Extreme Packages: Kayamping (Kayak and Camping)."

KENNETHMAN