The "Paddle Forward Cebu" expedition, a remarkable five-day sail journey around the southern part of Cebu, reached its halfway point, showcasing the potential of paddling as a tourism attraction for the island. The expedition, led by the Philippine Outrigger Canoe Club, successfully reached Oslob, where they encountered the famous whale sharks, a renowned tourist attraction.
Renowned Cebuano photographer Budots Media captured awe-inspiring images of the Paddle Forward Cebu expedition arriving in Oslob, with whale sharks surrounding their six-man canoe.
The expedition team, consisting of thirteen paddlers, including distinguished paddlers Buzzy Budlong and Faye Jimiera, led the group. Buzzy Budlong held the record as the only Filipino to have paddled 3,025 kilometers from Sarangani to Pagudpod in 88 days, while Faye Jimiera was an experienced ocean paddler.
This ambitious journey, covering 200 kilometers, began on June 12 in Cebu City's Il Corso at the South Road Properties and concluded on June 16 at Club Serena Resort in Moalboal.
The expedition passed through several major municipalities on its way, including:
Cebu CityTalisayMinglanillaAlcoyOslobMoalboal
This expedition aligned with the Department of Tourism's "Balik Turismo" initiative, promoting sustainable tourism. It also coincided with the 123rd Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12.
The provincial government expressed its support for the initiative, provided it complied with safety requirements and permits to protect the marine and tourism activities in the province's waters.
The expedition not only showcased the natural beauty of Cebu but also aimed to promote the island as a potential paddling destination. Cebu's coastal geography made it an ideal location for water sports.
The team utilized a six-man single outrigger canoe, and the 13-member expedition team took turns paddling every day throughout their five-day journey.
Furthermore, after the successful completion of this expedition, the Philippine Outrigger Canoe Club planned to build more canoes to raise awareness among Cebuanos and promote Cebu as the Paddle Sports Capital of the Philippines. They aimed to invite more people from abroad and hold additional expeditions to further their cause.
The Paddle Forward Cebu expedition highlighted the potential for paddling as a unique tourism attraction in Cebu, showcasing its stunning coastline and rich marine environment, including encounters with whale sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, and pilot whales in their natural habitats.
list of the participants in the expedition:
Buzzy Budlong (Expedition Leader)Faye Jimiera (Expedition Leader)Ludivino Alvez Jr.Josephine BaqueroRain Del SocorroShiela Solana-AlvezAlberto SaavedraArnold BoniaoAi LustreNat BorromeoCarlo De AsisCharlie SutcliffeRyan Capuno
These thirteen paddlers, under the leadership of Buzzy Budlong and Faye Jimiera, embarked on this challenging expedition, showcasing their skills and determination throughout the journey.
During the "Paddle Forward Cebu" expedition, the crew had the opportunity to witness a variety of marine animals and wildlife along their route. Some of the remarkable animals they encountered on their journey included:
Whale Sharks in Oslob: The crew had the privilege of encountering the famous whale sharks, a renowned tourist attraction in Oslob.Dolphins in Oslob: They also witnessed dolphins in their natural habitat as they paddled through Oslob's waters.Sea Turtles in Alcoy: The expedition provided the crew with the chance to observe sea turtles in the pristine waters of Alcoy.Pilot Whales in Moalboal: As they approached Moalboal, the crew had an exciting encounter with pilot whales, adding to the adventure of their expedition.
These encounters with marine life added to the expedition's allure and showcased the rich biodiversity of the Cebu coastline.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Outrigger_Canoe_Club
