Davao Wakeboarders Prepare for Nationals @Nuvali
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Image & Words: Girlie Cervantes
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It has been a while since I last visited Deca Wakeboard Park in Davao. I usually go for a specific reason, this time at the behest of Luda Horfilla, one of the participants of the 7th Philippine National Wakeboard competition on 24th 25th August, 2013, at Republ1c Wakepark in Nuvali, Calamba, Laguna, invited me to nose around the riders practice session.
I arrived the wakepark premises about 2:30 in the afternoon with riders (see photograph) Peter Abella (Mens Pro), Luda Horfilla (Men’s 2), Allen Aportadera (Masters) and Jong Pilapil (Amateur). The afternoon was slightly overcast (perfect for the riders but not for photographers) but was made more pleasant by the warm smiles and greetings from familiar faces. I thought we came in late for practice and that the riders would be too cramped for time but, Allen said, “2-hours is enough time. What we want is to enjoy the ride and learn a few tricks but not to burn-out ourselves.”
While the boys geared up for practice, I was left talking with Obi Sembrano, who had been at the Deca wakepark since 10am, for a chit-chat. Obi, (Pro Wakeskate Men) a seasoned wakeskater, learned to ride in 2008 when no wakeboard park existed in Davao. His passion for the sport has influenced his younger sister Celina to become an accomplished rider. Obi sees himself as a free-rider where he learns his tricks at an appropriate time while enjoying the ride. “Wakeboarding is like the game of chess,” he said, “you have to strategize the moves to achieve the objective. My goal is to win by outdoing myself. I believe that my greatest competitor is myself. If we work too hard on outdoing others, then we miss the real objective of riding which is having fun. Others push themselves too hard, while we here try to relax and take things easy. We are like hermits here in Davao, we do not know what is happening outside and the people outside do not know us.” With that Obi spins off and takes his line to the water and showcased some tricks in the wake of the other boys.
While the boys ride away, I geared up to do a quick photo-shoot. For a Thursday, it is surprising to see so many riders at the park. There were Korean and German nationals as well as Filipinos waiting for their turn. Although lens challenged (my action-sports telephoto has been under repair), it was a photographers delight to see a mix of riders from beginners on knee boards to flying pros circling the cable park.
At some point, I stood by the waiting line were Allen took a breather. He shared his vision of organizing a Davao Wakeboarders Association. The Association will aim to introduce and promote wakeboarding among youth of Davao City, and ultimately develop a new breed of champions. Allen’s vision runs parallel to the current efforts of Deca Wakeboard Park Davao, General Manager, Michael Hudson, has set: to encourage more local youth to at least experience wakeboarding and maybe later become their regular water sport.
Mike Hudson confirmed, it would be of great pride for Deca Wakeboard Park Davao if these riders bring home a trophy from Nuvali.
Other Deca Wakeboard Park Davao riders competing on the 7th Philippine National Wakeboarding Competition are: Mikee Selga (Groms girls 13 below), JJ Hernandez (Groms men), Pong Panlaque (Amateur Men), Herber Carpenter (Mens 1), Albert Lehman and Zech Stephenson (Pro Mens ) and Joshoa Stephenson (Pro Wake skate)
One thing is for certain, Davao will be on the list of winners somewhere during the 7th Philippine National Wakeboarding Competition. If you want to cheer your fellow Davaoenos to victory on 24th & 25th August then come on down to the Republ1c Wakepark at Nuvali, Laguna.