Cobra Dragon Boat Regatta 2013 - Leg 4

Late post: It has been more than a month when we had the Final Leg for Cobra Dragon Boat Regatta 2013 and now finally I was able to post about the event. It was held last December 8, 2013 in Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard.  

Cobra Dragon Boat Regatta Finals is the most anticipated event for the year wherein all total scores from Leg 1, Leg 2, Leg 3 and Leg 4 will be sum up to determine the overall winners. I am so proud to say that my team, Onslaught Racing Dragons, was victorious for the year 2013. Our men's crew was able to capture  4th on overall rankings with Buhi Cam Sur, Philippine Army, and Philippine Coastguard. It was a great year for us again to be upstage and receive our award. It was such a great feeling wherein all the hard works and strong determination of our team was paid off.  

The proud ORDs Men's Paddler

The Fierce ORDs Women's Paddler

TV5 News Reporter, Renzie Ongkiko, got to cover the event and interviewed our team. Luckily, my sub-group was chosen to represent our team: Mel, Chzar, Paula, Edz, Jordan and me. Great to know that Renzie was also a paddler during his college days. Go check out our pictures with him.     

With TV5 News Reporter: Renzie Ongkiko :)

Photo crazy team with Renzie :)

Looking great and excited after the interview before the race starts. Loading area was busy and all teams are all excited as the race heats up. Heat 1, Heat 2, Heat 3 and so forth. Then Repechage 1, Repechage 2 and so forth. Semis and the most awaited race, Finals. We all had the chance to be at the semis this last leg. 

The loading area!

ORDs Men's Crew

ORDs Women's Crew

ORDs Mixed Crew

We were eliminated that early, after the semis, we were just waiting for the overall results to know if what is our stand for the year. While waiting off course, taking pictures is what keeps us busy when not on the boat competing. Well my team loves to take as many pictures as we can. Pose here and there. Also, we always remember God's guidance before and after the race.  

Dimples, Tess, Ai and friends with co-paddlers Rai, Glenn and Aggy!

Solemnly Praying as ONE!

So proud that I was one of the men's crew who were able to receive a medal. I completed the 4 Legs and that made me eligible to have one. It was such a great achievement for me that I need to sacrifice my love for running just to train hard and paddle hard for the team. It was all worth it. Still looking forward for more races to come. I am so proud, I Am Onslaught. 

My first ever medal for dragon boat :)

Onslaught Racing Dragons Men's Crew Rock!!!

With my batchmate: Jerumel

Cobra Dragon Boat Regatta 2013 - Leg 2

Another trophy for ORD

Riding on Boat 2

3rd-man Bow Side

Chilling with my team mates!

WE ARE: ONSLAUGHT!!!

2nd Cobra PDBF International Club Crew Challenge - Bohol Edition 2013

Who would have thought that one day I can join an international dragon boat race? This never came to my mind until my first experience for international race happened last April 27-30, 2013 in Bohol. It was barely two weeks after the 2nd Zambales Dragon Boat Festival wherein my team entries (open and women) landed both on semis. Zambales Race served as a great preparation for my team for this next race. It was a two weeks of hardcore training, aiming to beat our previous records. It needs dedication, passion and motivation to each and every member of the team to reach our goal.

We are: Onslaught Racing Dragons!

I just can't explain how excited I am for my first ever international race. Aside from that race excitement, it was also my first time to visit the province of Bohol, that adds up the excitement, is it not?! Paddlers are very much welcome for the race because there were tarpaulin greetings everywhere. Boholano's hospitality was surprisingly amazing. 

The race was set for 2-day activity. My team got entries for Open and Mixed Categories. Right after having our lunch at the resort, we visited the race location and tested the water for more or less than an hour training in preparation for the race. Tired from air to sea to land travel plus training, we ended up going back to the resort and took some rest for the race the following day.

Race day was great! It was great to see dragon boat teams from all over the country to compete. As they say "matira ang matibay". The pressure is on! Every time our team was being called to be at the loading area, I got nervous. Whhheww! I have been to this sport for couple of months now but still those nerves in me are shaking, I guess every race it has different feelings. 

Race on Motion

Is was a friendly competition! Well in any race, there is always a winner and there is always a loser. That's when the so-called spirit of sportsmanship is running into the veins of every athlete. Enjoy the race and that's it, whether you win or loss. Races like this will also help improve each member of the team. It is also a great time to meet and make some friends with new paddlers. Off course, taking pictures here, there and everywhere is so much fun!

posing with other teams

Awards Night was enjoyable. You'll see how energetic paddlers are even if we were tired for the two days activity. Got free dinner and got lot of beer and drinks! Some were drunk I guess. So proud that my team, Onslaught Racing Dragons was able to capture 4th Place for the 2000M Open Category and 3rd Runner-Up for Smart 250M. I've got the unexplained feeling of going up to the center stage with my team to get our trophies and medals! So proud to be Onslaught.

Onslaught Racing Dragons onstage!

3rd Runner-up!

Priceless experience. Now I think I will be addicted to paddling, not just the sport itself but what keeps me going is the people around me, my team, who is always ready for the challenge. I am looking forward for more races in the future and who knows I will be able to represent my country abroad. With constant training, motivation and discipline, that is possible. 

Bonding with batch mate paddlers: Jerumel and Mel

Holding our Trophies!

2nd Zambales Dragon Boat Festival

The 2nd Zambales Dragon Boat Festival was held last April 13-14, 2013 in Uacon Lake, Candelaria, Zambales. It was two years ago when the 1st Zambales Dragon Boat Festival was held with twelve dragon boat teams competed for the event. This year, different teams from the country competed for the 2-day event which was hosted by the local government of Zambales. 

  

The 1st day of the 2-day event started with 400m open, mixed and women's categories while on the 2nd day it was for a shorter distance of 250m with the same categories. My team Onslaught Racing Dragons participated in both Open and Women's Categories.   

It was my first time to attend the festival in the province because I was not yet a paddler when the 1st edition of the Festival was held. I just started paddling last January (that's barely less than 4 months). It was such a great experience for my first out of town race. New places and new experiences to cherish. Also, to mingle with my team mates and fellow paddlers from the other teams. Experiences that can never be bought.  

With my team mates: Mylovelle, Lovely and Rose

Having some jump shot!

Now sharing some pictures while during the race. I was the 3rd man on the Bow Side (left-side of the boat). Onslaught Racing Dragons (ORDs) on the 4th lane competing with Philippine Army and Philippine Coast Guard, 3rd and 2nd lane respectively. The heat was a race for the finals slots: first two to finals. The heat was loudly cheered by the crowd as if it was the final race of the event. 

Chilling with Rose, our drummer.

At the end of the 2-day event, we landed at the semis (both open and women). I am proud to say that most of the paddlers on our boat were newbies who only started paddling few months ago. This was also a great preparation for our team for the upcoming International Dragon Boat Race to be held in Bohol.

With my ORDs Family