Ride a wake in dreamland
There are days when you sorely need an adrenaline rush. With “been-there-and-done-that” moments, being stuck in an adventure rut can leave a lull in your so-called life. Well, as Marianne Faithfull sings in the Rolling Stones’ Rock and Roll Circus flick, you know there’s “gotta be something better.”
Indeed, there is.
For the ultimate high in something new like — say, wakeboarding, a combination of skiing, snowboarding and surfing — head over to the southeastern part of
Dig this: CWC is designed to give adventurers the ride of their life — above water, of course. The six-hectare complex features a six-point Sesitec cable system where they can wakeboard, wake-skate, kneeboard and even go water skiing. Cool, huh?
High-fives go out to Gov. Luis Villafuerte Jr. of Camarines
Since then, CWC has been featured in
Villafuerte enthuses, “Our expectations have already been exceeded with that recognition. Here, local and foreign travelers can wakeboard anytime of the year at an affordable price.”
Even celebrities are addicted to this craze — like Aga Muhlach, who celebrated his birthday at CWC. Other celebrities into this sport include Bayani Agbayani and Paolo Paraiso. Sam Milby and Say Alonzo also visited the place during the Feast of Peñafrancia.
My sister Tash tagged along on my recent trip to
If it weren’t for Australian wakeboarder and current CWC manager Reuben Buchanan, I wouldn’t have enjoyed this experience at all. By the way, Reuben Buchanan — not related at all to Mitch Buchanan of Baywatch — placed second in the Australian nationals in 2004 and 2005. Well, he is the most patient instructor I’ve ever met in my life, and it’s just so cool that his three-year-old daughter Takiah Lani is the youngest wakeboarder ever.
“If I ride on the water, not only does it makes me feel healthier but there’s a certain buzz I get, especially when I learn new tricks,” explains Buchanan. Perhaps this is exactly what everyone feels when they skim across the water — wild as the wind.
Buchanan is so hands-on while teaching first-timers how to kneeboard. He taught me the initial position and how to turn once I hit the corners. Helmet: check… Life-vest: check… Ready to go...
My first try was a complete disaster. My heart was beating so fast because I didn’t know what to expect. When the cable pulled me, I let go after 20 meters. Pathetic, huh? I really thought everyone was going to laugh at me. But it turned out to be the opposite because they were all very encouraging — as if we were one big, happy family.
“Never give up,” says Buchanan. “People just crash on the water a lot of times. I have to convince them that they can do it and eventually they can. To get good quick, just listen to the instructor and you’ll be fine.”
With those words and my competitive spirit, I decided to try again. The second time was a big improvement because I fell halfway through the course. The good thing was that when I swam to the shore, the lifeguard told me what I did wrong before taking me to the jeep to start again. That’s what you call service deluxe for falling.
When I finally realized my mistakes, I didn’t give up until I got it right. Finishing the lap was one of my biggest achievements ever. I was brave enough to go to the next level: the water skis.
If someone filmed my takeoff, I would’ve been on YouTube by now. I hate to admit it but my first water ski attempt was an even bigger failure. I took off and left my skis. Yes, I could’ve been part of The World’s Funniest Videos — Extreme Edition.
When I landed on the water, I couldn’t help but laugh at my pathetic attempt to water ski like a pro. Buchanan said encouraging words to me before my second go — that it wouldn’t happen again and I wouldn’t make a fool out of myself. Amazingly, I was able to do it and it was such a rush. Wakeboarding is really something everyone should try before the end of the world.
My sister Tash is probably the most determined woman ever. She must have fallen a hundred times in days. Buchanan never gave up on her. On the last night of our trip, she finally stood up on the wakeboard until the first corner. We are planning to spend a week in Cam Sur soon during which we will become wakeboarding wonder women in this male-dominated sport.
As for accommodations at CWC, it all depends on the budget. Newlyweds could stay at the Villa del Rey Villas with private Jacuzzi. If they want somewhere nearer to CWC, Villa del Rey Cabannas is the place to stay, while the Trailer Homes have a unique twist. The Mansion Suites used to be the governor’s guesthouse, which was transformed to a hotel. Budget-conscious, hippie-type travelers will enjoy The EcoVillage with its laid-back atmosphere.
The great thing about CWC is that visitors can do loads of activities. Have one of the best massages ever. Use the free WiFi service. Buy the cheapest Hyperlite and Liquid Force wakeboarding gear. Swim or lounge around at the beach area. Play in the game room with friends. Drink ice-cold San Miguel beer. Eat the to-die-for laing pizza. Bike around and skate at the park. Bounce around on the huge trampoline. Enough said.
What’s next for Camarines Sur? Villafuerte concludes: “We are currently developing Caramoan, a stretch of white beach a couple of hours away from CWC. This is like a virgin
So, as the surfer dude in each of us philosophizes, we should all live loud and proud as if there’s no tomorrow — let go of fear, embrace new experiences. That, dear readers, is a wakeboarding call.
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The second Philippine Cable Wakeboard Nationals will be held from Oct. 26 to 28 at the CWC in Camarines
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E-mail love-hate whatever things to becca_rodriguez@yahoo.com or visit www.myspace.com/beccacrodriguez.
