Kayak Explore Anvaya Cove-Zambales, First Leg (Morong, Bataan)

Row of tandem sit-on recreational kayaks

Winners German Paz and Reneric Moreno

The first leg of the Kayak Explore Anvaya Cove-Zambales, an endurance recreational competition in the open waters of South China Sea, featured a 32-km., non-stop kayak marathon from Anvaya Cove to marine-rich Silanguin Bay in San Antonio (Zambales) and back.

Held at Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club, it featured 17 competing teams including first-time kayakers from DOT Region 3 and staffers from the Zambales Provincial Government. 

The first tandem to make it to Anvaya’s Ilingan Cove were Mr. German Paz and Mr. Reneric Moreno of Team Outdoor Concept who clocked an impressive 4:10:47.  

They were followed by Mr. Arnold Mendoza and Mr. Mark Roncales of Team Anvaya with a time of 4:14:14 and coming in third were Mr. A. John Reyes and Mr. Harold Madrigal of Team Anilao with a time of 4:40:30. Mr. Doyet Dumaluan and Mr. Buzzy Budlong of Team Bohol Bugsay came in fourth with a time of 4:44:29 while Mr. Alexis Atotubo and Mr. Romeo Castro of Team Manila Extreme, last year’s winner, came in fifth with a time of 4:50:11.

Galunggong with mayo

The teams and the invited guests were then treated to a unique galunggong (mackerel scad)-themed lunch hosted by DOT Region 3 Director Mr. Ronnie Tiotuico and prepared by Brgy. Sabang's (Morong) Kapisanan ng mga Mangingisda and Bagong Pagasa Homemakers Club.

The menu fare consisted of sweet and sour fish balls, galunggong with alagao leaves,  kalderetang galunggong, lumpiang shanghai, galunggong with mayo and kilawing galunggong, all complemented by talbos ng kamote salad and pako (fiddlehead fern) salad and washed down with buko juice.

Crazy 8s Fun Slalom

Kayaking clinic conducted by Mr. Val Camara

After this unique lunch experience and a short rest, it was now time for the Crazy 8s Fun Slalom. This slalom involves twisting and turning the 12 or 15-ft. long tandem recreational sit-on kayak around a 3-buoyed course along Ilingan Cove.

Team Anvaya swept the first two spots with the tandem of Mr. John John Torres and Mr. Tomas Torres coming in first with a time of 00:00:59, followed by Mr. Javier Torres and Mr. Joaquin Torres with 00:01:01.  Mr. Emmanuel Relos and Mr. Thaddeus Festin came in third with a time of 00:01:14. 

Next came the 3-km. Novice Race which was participated in by 41 teams.  But first, participants had to be initiated into the sport via a clinic conducted by Sun and Sea Sports Systems, Inc. (the Philippines’ foremost kayak manufacturer) president and co-event organizer (the other is the Philippine Kayaking Association) Mr. Valentino “Val” L. Camara illustrating the fundamentals of kayaking.  

Then it was off to their kayaks and the race.  A local elementary school's drum and lyre band added to the festive atmosphere of the event. Top finishers were Mr. Emmanuel Torres and Mr. Thaddeus Festin with a time of 00:10:33, followed by Mr. RJ Mariscotes and Mr. Lester Quimlat of Team Anvaya with a time of 00:10:42, and third was Mr. Giolo Cadhit and Mr. Dondon Corbito, also of Team Anvaya, with a time of 00:11:03.  

Come evening, a sumptuous Victory Dinner and Barrio Fiesta Awards Night capped the event.  The top finisher of the 32-km. kayak marathon received a trophy and a Stingray tandem sit-on kayak, the first runner-up a trophy and two round trip Cebu Pacific Air plane tickets to Bangkok (Thailand) via Clark and the second runner up a trophy and a Blade single sit-on kayak.