Mindanao to Luzon kayak enroute to Davao City

By Beverly Paoyon and Macky Macavinta

GUMASA, Sarangani (September 1, 2009) – The Friendship Kayak expedition team that left the white sands of Gumasa in Glan Monday (August 31) was expected to reach Davao City, their first major rest stop, around Sunday or Monday.

“We will be organizing a grand welcome for the paddlers,” said Toby Martin, who keeps track of the expedition.

However, the Friendship Kayak support boat anchored at Tinaca Point Tuesday (September 1) to prepare lunch for paddlers following behind was hit by sudden squall, smashing the boat against rocks resulting in a four inches diameter hole in the hull.

“Support boatmen have started repairs with an emergency supply of marine epoxy they have stocked,” Martin said.

Singapore’s leading adventurer Khoo Swee Chiow with two of the Philippine’s finest kayakers Erwin “Buzzy” Budlong of Cebu and Arnel Gabutero of Davao City were on the first-ever attempt to kayak the entire length of the Philippines from Glan, Sarangani that will end 3,300 km. away in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte in a span of 100 days.

Members of the team claimed “this is the longest kayak expedition” they will ever attempt.

The team camped in Margus, Glan Monday evening after Khoo and Budlong capsized once, while Gabutero in his less stable racing kayak suffered more capsizes forcing them to beach at one point to bail water. Tuesday's planned mileage was approximately 30 km. to Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur.

Supported by the Department of Tourism, the expedition also commemorates the 40th anniversary of Singaporean-Philippine friendship as well as to promote kayaking as a sport in the country.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."It's about having a dream and making it happen," Khoo explained in a pre-departure interview. "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."

Khoo said the “Friendship Kayak Expedition” was planned out with some comrades during his previous visit in the country in September 2008.

Khoo said this is “a good angle to promote friendship and a new challenge” for him physically and mentally. “What is more challenging,” he said, “is that the waves here are much bigger.”

Khoo went through eight months of training in Singapore for this expedition.

Budlong said they have considered the risks but he is not hesitant as long as they “work as a team and (we) do not go against the flow of the shore.”

“Every 15 minutes the waves change,” Budlong said. “Partly we have studied the route but we cannot really predict the weather.”

Besides route planning, a GPS will guide the team especially in tight situations, Khoo said. There is also a support crew with medics and dive master who know especially what to do in coastal areas.

“We rely very much on the boatmen,” Khoo said of the support crew. They are “very experienced and know how to navigate. They will help a lot,” he added. The team will not navigate at night.

Khoo said the 100 days estimate for the expedition includes rest days but typhoon or strong waves might cause delay.

Gabutero will disengage in Davao City but Khoo said he and Budlong will make it all the way to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

In Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, some kayakers were expected to join them up to Samal Island while a bigger group awaits in Cebu City to kayak with them for a couple of days.

Khoo said expeditions like “is a unique way of meeting people and of exploring the world.” (Beverly Paoyon and Macky Macavinta/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)