TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) – Calbayog City’s Hibatang Paddlers successfully defended the ultimate dragon boat paddling bragging rights for the Sandugo Festival in Bohol, during a two-day festival type of race that featured non-stop seven heat endurance races.
Held at Miramar Wharf in Dauis and racing along Tagbilaran City Strait, the Bohol Sandugo Ultimate Dragon Boat Festival is a first time in the Philippine Dragon Boat circuit which pits paddling teams against each other in non-stop seven heat endurance races.
Offered for the 2nd time this year, the Hibatang Paddlers came in and defended their 2023 paddling trophy.
Trained and coached by Jun Guades and supported by the city government of Calbayog under the leadership of Mayor Raymund C. Uy through the City Sports Commission headed by Jaynard Monterona, the team has been both an inspiration and a mission for Boholano paddlers who were first introduced to dragon boating in 2013.
Timed for the annual Sandugo Festival, Bohol’s premier tourism event, dragon boating has been among the most recent sports tourism offers to promote Bohol as a wholesome tourism destination.
Then ruled by homegrown paddlers from workshops and training handled by the Bohol Paddlers Association Incorporated (BPAI), dragon boating in Bohol has since expanded, accepting competitors in standard and long boat competitions.
Grabbing the 2024 Sandugo Ultimate Dragon Boat championship for the Hibatang paddlers however was no cruise.
The team from Calbayog City also placed 1st in the Masters mixed small boat competition, 1st in the Open Small boat competition, 2nd in the Masters Open Small Boat, 3rd in the Mixed standard Boat, and 3rd in the Women Small Boat categories.
Making waves to grab the 1st Runner Up is Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City Dragon Boat Team.
The Mindanao team flew in full mast with their 1st place finish in the Women’s Small Boat, 2nd place in the Mixed Standard Boat, 3rd in the Masters Open Small Boat, 3rd in the Open Small Boat, and 4th in the Masters Mixed Small Boat.
Winning 2nd Runner Up is a team from across the sea in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
Dumaguete City Yellow Fins ruled the Masters Open Small Boat, Mixed Standard Boat, to bag 2nd place for the Masters Mixed Small Boat and 2nd place in the Women’s Small Boat.
Boholano paddlers placed 3rd Runner up, putting only competing teams in a few events.
The hosts claimed 2nd fastest time in the Open Small Boat, 3rd in the masters Mixed Small Boat, and 4th in the Masters Open Small Boat.
Another ultimate race participating team from Dumaguete City is the Arko Drakon that bagged 4th Runner Up while a Mero Manila team, Sag1, went home with the 5th Runner Up trophy. (RAHC/PIA-7 Bohol)
