Toby Martin, an organizer of the expedition, said the kayaking team will paddle some 3,300 kilometers from the coasts of Sarangani towards Ilocos Norte for the “longest kayak expedition” ever in the country.
Dubbed “Friendship Kayak Expedition,” the team is composed of Singapore’s leading adventurer Khoo Swee Chiow and two of the Philippine’s finest kayakers Erwin “Buzzy” Budlong of Cebu and Arnel Gabutero of Davao City.
Khoo is an extreme outdoor adventurer who has climbed Mt. Everest twice, and the North and South Poles and holds the world records for the longest scuba dive and longest journey on inline skates.
Supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the expedition also commemorates the 40th anniversary of Singaporean-Philippine friendship as well as to promote kayaking as a sport in the country.
Martin, who keeps track of the expedition, said the team initial paddle off the mainland of Glan hit a snag after Khoo and Budlong capsized once.
But he said the team has gone back to its normal course and was joined by some kayakers in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur who will accompany them up to Samal Island.
He said a bigger group is awaiting the team in Cebu City and is expected to kayak with them for a couple of days.
Khoo earlier described the expedition as “about having a dream and making it happen.”
“A lot of people see Everest and say it’s too hard, too difficult (to climb), but if you look at my history, I started with small mountains. They should start with where they are and slowly climb higher and higher as your dreams will get bigger and bigger as you gain more experience,” he said.
The “Friendship Kayak Expedition” was initially planned during Khoo’s visit to the country in September last year.
Khoo said he immediately went on eight-month training in Singapore for the expedition.
On the other hand, Budlong said they have earlier studied the route of their expedition as part of their preparations.
He said they are being guided by a global positioning system or GPS equipment and a supported boat that has a crew of medics and dive masters.
(Story courtesy of PNA and Goodnews Pilipinas)
0 comments:
Post a Comment