Image courtesy Martyn Willes

The impending opening of a new marina on Samal Island confirms that the island is maturing into an all-round water sports destination. The all new Holiday Oceanview Marina will open its pontoons for visiting yachts from August, 2010.

GetWet has been watching the development of the Holiday Oceanview Marina since it first came onto our radar three years ago. As with most things on Samal Island, it has taken a lot longer than originally envisaged to reach a stage of functionality. Along with the adjacent property development and sub-division, the new marina is an integral part of a water sports vacation destination, about 30-minutes from Davao International Airport.

Image courtesy Rodney Hegerty

Game fishing tournaments in the Philippines are monthly affairs organized by various angling groups around the country. To find out about what is going on and who to talk to about getting involved is a challenging. Characteristic of the sport no doubt, even when you find “the right person” you need to apply constant prodding to finally gaff and disgorge the desired information.

Despite the obstacles, we have finally obtained the schedule of the Philippine Game Fishing Foundation's (PGFF) calendar for this year, albeit a little late. The 2010 game fishing tournament schedule was published a couple of weeks ago on MyCam-Asia.tv's website under the Game Fishing In The Philippines section.

Image courtesy Busuanga Yacht Club

Finally, a new yacht club has opened in the Philippines: Busuanga Yacht Club. Located on Busuanga Island, Palawan, the Busuanga Yacht Club is attached to the Puerto Del Sol Resort, in the municipality of Conception, on the southwest corner of Busuanga.

If you are sailing, the Busuanga Yacht Club offers a perfect stopover on routes leading to either, the East or West coast Palawan passage to/from East Malaysia or, cruising the beautiful waters of the Palawan archipelago.

Image courtesy Girlie Cervantes

The Philippine Independence Day Anniversary Regatta in Subic Bay started as a very local sailing affair organised by and for members of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailors (SAGS) – a motley band of sailing enthusiasts who wanted to sail in Subic Bay despite the challenges posed by fickle yacht club rules and the weather. They just went out and did it.

Significantly supported by Jun Avecilla's Lighthouse Marina Resort Hotel, the Philippine Independence Day Regatta is now the best off-season competitive sailing event in the Philippines, and possibly the best in Asia in June.