13 Pinoys set out for five-day, 200km ocean paddling journey

CEBU, Philippines —  It’s all systems go for the Paddle Forward Cebu Expedition, a five-day long distance ocean paddling journey from the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City to Moalboal that will commence on June 12 in commemoration of the 123rd Philippine Independence Day.

A group of 13 Filipino paddlers led by the renowned Visayan paddler Buzzy Budlong will set out for a 200-kilometer expedition spearheaded by the Philippine Outrigger Canoe Club (POCC).

Under the able leadership of Budlong, POCC aims to promote paddling in all islands of the country. It has also been very active in pursuing its 3C goals that is community development; conservation of marine life; and culture and sports promotion.

“Paddling is a way for us to build sports tourism, support the local “Balik Turismo” initiative to help bounce back sustainable tourism without marine disruption and environmental impact,” said Budlong in a statement.

Budlong, who holds the record as the only Filipino to have paddled the entire 3,025km of the Philippines from Sarangani to Pagudpod in 88 days, will be one of the captains to steer the only six-man, free-energy outrigger canoe that he himself built for the Filipino paddlers to experience.

The other captain is Faye Jimiera, an experienced ocean paddler of Singapore Paddler Club. The former skipper of the Spanish Armada Dragon Singapore is now back in the country and has been coaching OC paddling to fellow enthusiasts.

Budlong and Jimiera will joined by a team who had been training rigorously for this epic feat.  They are Ludivino Alvez Jr, Josephine Baquero, Rain del Socorro, Shiela Solana-Alvez, Alberto Saavedra, and Arnold Boniao from the Sugbu Mighty Dragons, SEA Games bronze medalist  Ai Lustre, Nat Borromeo, Carlo de Asis, Charlie Sutcliffe, and Ryan Capuno.

From the SRP, they will pass through the waters of Argao, Oslob and Alegria before winding up in Moalboal, showcasing the beauty of Cebu islands that can only be much appreciated through paddling.