Quirino is the Philippines’ new wakeboarding mecca – BusinessWorld Online

THE PROVINCE of Quirino emerged as the country’s newest wakeboarding haven with the successful staging of the recent 1st Invitational Wakeboarding Competition at the world-class Quirino Watersports Complex in the capital town of Cabarroguis.

More than 80 players from the country’s top wakeparks took part in the inaugural tournament of the facility as part of the Panagdadapun Festival marking the 48th provincial founding anniversary.

Jet Brigance of Decawake Clark Cable Park topped the Open Men Wakeboard category, followed by Larry Sacabon of Quirino and Jon Dimacali of Republic Wakepark who bagged second and third places, respectively.

JP Canuto of CamSur Watersports Complex ruled the Open Men Wakeskate, with Regi Causing and Renan Turiano, both from Republic Wakepark, capturing second and third spots, respectively.

In the Advance Wakeboard, Jerome Javaluyas of Lago De Oro Wakepark captured the men’s division, while Shaina Alva of Pradera Verde dominating the women’s division.

Meanwhile, Charles Villegas Pradera Verde and Justine Buendia of Republic Wakepark conquered the Advance Wakeboard, men’s and women’s divisions.

The Philippine wakeboard team to the 30th Southeast Asian Games also demonstrated exhibition runs and were impressed by the tournament-quality and tension of the cables.

In the overall medal tally, Republic Wakepark of Nuvali, Laguna made a 7-medal haul, followed by the Quirino host park with five medals, Pradera Verde and Deca Wakepark with two each, and Lago de Oro and CamSur, with one apiece.

Started in 2007 by then governor Dakila Carlo Cua, the Quirino WaterSports Complex is a 9.5-hectare full-size cable park, and boasts of 450-meter wakeboard cable, a 2.5-hectare lagoon, and a deck area of 251 square meters.

It also has a winchpark for beginners with a 100-meter cable and 3,000-sq.m. lagoon.

Owned and managed by the provincial government, the sprawling property also has a two-story pavilion, function rooms, a multi-purpose hall, an infinity pool, an adjunct hostel, and guest villas under construction.

Once fully completed, it is expected to boost the positioning of the province as an adventure and sports tourism destination in the Cagayan Valley.