Kayaking to Highlight Zambales Multi-Sports Festival Nov 9-11

A three-day multi-sports event will begin in Zambales Nov. 9, the second leg of the longest running kayaking series in the third Zambales Multi-Sports Festival.

Organizers have arranged 5k and 10k foot races combined with an eco-adventure sport of open water swimming, kayaking, running, biking and other activities like learning how to paddle and eco-touring in lake venues.

The activities include a 32-km kayak marathon from Candelaria, only 42 kms from the provincial capital of Iba, to Masinloc, and the 18k tri-plus-one event featuring a 1.5k open water swim, 5k kayak, 10k bike and 2k beach run.

Candelaria is a 3rd class town known for its Uacon Lake, the cleanest lake in Central Luzon, and for its beach resorts.

According to organizers, a 60k duathlon race is also part of the weekend activities, part of concerted efforts to make this coastal province a key kayaking destination in the region.

Organized by Sun and Sea/Kayak Philippines, the provincial government of Zambales, supported by the Dept. of Tourism–Region III, the event covers eco-adventure sports of open-water swimming, kayaking, running and biking as a shout out to the universal quest of conserving planet Earth.

On the day of competition, participants will witness different water and outdoor sports kickoffs.

The 32k kayak marathon will be launched from the Uacon Cove in this town with a turnaround at the Petron Jetty in Masinloc and back into Uacon Lake.

Kayakers will go through the mouth of the river to reach the finish line in Uacon Lake. After an hour, an 18k kayak relay follows with a 1.5k open water swim from the shoreline to Potipot Island, 2k beach run around the scenic island, a 5k kayak dash to the boardwalk of Uacon Lake and a 10k trail bike around the lake.

A team of four, with a minimum of one female member, can compete in the 18k multi-sports relay.

Aspiring kayakers are treated to a kayaking clinic and a 3k Novice Race round the lake perimeter. The Governor’s Night by Gov. Jun Ebdane features an array of Zambal music and dance capped by prizes and trophies awarded to top three winners of the marathons.

The Dept. of Tourism–Region III led by Regional Director Ronaldo Tiotuico will host lunch for the participants on Nov 10.

A sedate eco-touring of kayaking, bird-watching and mangrove planting after a challenging 60k run bike duathlon starting from the foot of the Zambales Mountain Ranges, transitioning at the Zambales Sports Complex in Iba for a 56k bike run to Uacon Lake boardwalk, will be in store for day three.

The awarding for duathlon winners will cap the festival. Other events include: taekwondo, swimming competition, chess and boxing.

Prime mover of the event Didi Camara said the multi-sports festival is beginning to shape up as a major sports activity in the region and is expected to draw about 4,000 participants. (Azer N. Parrocha/PNA/hbc)