W’boarding fires off at Deca Park

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines takes center stage as host of the 2012 Cable Wakeboard World Championships which fires off today at Deca Wakeboard Park in Clark, Angeles, Pampanga, hoping to further develop the fast-growing sport while boosting local eco-tourism.

Hosting the prestigious tourney for the first time, the country opens its doors to over 300 riders from 32 nations, led by reigning world champions Nick Davies and Kristeen Mitchell, both of Great Britain, and the Open winners of the recent Tokyo World Cup, Angelika Shriber of Austria and Frederic von Osten of Germany, all raring to showcase their tricks at the new, world-class facility established by 8990 Housing Development Corp.

“We are looking forward to a successful event,” said J.V. Borromeo, chairman of the Waterski and Wakeboard Association of the Philippines. 

“By showcasing topnotch wakeboard action and giving local riders the chance to compete against the world’s best, we expect to sustain the steady growth of the sport in the country and help promote tourism as well,” he added.

One of the hottest board sports in the world, wakeboard has become increasingly popular among adventure-seeking Filipinos, who regularly troop to the five cable parks all over the country to ride.

This, plus the country’s eco-tourism peg makes it a fitting host for the six-day, Int. 6 Star Event (1000 points) sanctioned by the International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF).

The event is backed by Rixen Cableways, IWWF Wakeboard 2020 Vision, Smart, Gatorade, Deca Homes, Stoked Inc., RipCurl, Monster Energy Drink, Devant LED TV, Bacardi, Department of Tourism Region 3, Aktion Parks, Plus Event Marketing and organized by Eventking Corp. in cooperation with WWAP.

“We were awarded the hosting because of the popularity of the sport here and our big eco-tourism push. The Philippines has been identified as a top spot for eco-tourism. It’s not expensive and we have a lot to offer,” said Borromeo.

Although making their debut in the global wakeboard scene, Filipino riders, look to give the fancied foreigners a good fight.

“Our riders have prepared hard and their training has been continuous knowing they will be ranged against the world’s best,” said Borromeo.

Southeast Asian Games bronze medalists Samantha Bermudez, Mark Griffin, and Carlo de la Torre, who have had training and competitions in Korea and Japan, will spearhead the campaign of the Filipinos. Bermudez won a bronze in the female wakeboard event in the Indonesia SEAG and landed another podium finish in the team category alongside Griffin and Dela Torre, respectively.

The 2012 Cable Wakeboard World Championships will also showcase the newest wakeboard venue in the country, Deca Wakeboard Park in Clark. The venue boasts of a Rixen German made cable system with a five-corner design layout with all the obstacles sourced from Germany to ensure world-class and the ultimate wakeboarding park riding experience.