just like in college

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

pull

In line with Soc's updated blog, I'd like to update this here blog of mine with a new entry. I just came back from a long weekend of wakeboarding in CWC!

I enjoyed the trip thoroughly, the place was wonderful! Really world class facilities, food was good, and the prices were just right. I highly commend Governor Lray Villafuerte on his initiative on this endeavor.

I had initially set some personal goals regarding the trip. I knew that we had to kneeboard for the first few runs to get a feel of how the cable systems work, but I was confident I would be able to do a whole lap on a kneeboard. (Luckily I was not humiliated in this regard) Then it was on to the wakeboard.

We only tried the simple boards they had for rent (not LiquidForce boards), which was pretty much a simple wakeboard with slip on straps (not actual bindings, which are like boots). Naturally the first few runs I fell flat on my face... or on my side or on my back, I was all over the place. After a few spills (right in front of professional wakeboarders I might add), I was able to get my balance and stand up for a brief moment. I then progressed to reaching the first set of obstacles , which I duely avoided by the way.

I initially figured it was a fluke and kept my head down on trying to get the wakeboarding thing down. I got another good ride and reached halfway to the second set of obstacles, and then the cable operator told us it was our last ride (on the 1 hour session). I got myself composed and took off. At least I did not waste the last ride wiping out, I thought... then I got halfway to the second obstables figuring I was going to wipe out big time. I was a bit suprised I went further, way further.

The corner was coming up, I thought "Shit, I'm going down for sure". I kept to the right, and got past the corner! Nice! That was quite easy, I thought. Then bam! Down I went halway to the second corner. I had a big smile on my face.

Last ride, best ride.

My second day was similar in some ways. A few wipe outs and a few good rides, I think I managed to get past the second corner once. I was satisfied, despite not reaching my goal of riding one of the obstacle hehehe. I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to do a whole lap on a wakeboard so I resorted to riding an obstacle (twisted logic eh?). Alas I didn't have the balls to do it. I don't blame myself either, it was scary as hell... and dangerous too. I'm just glad to have gotten a few good rides.

ending a day of wakeboarding fun

surferdude.blogspot.com

I have found my calling... surfing, it seems, is in my blood. After only 3 surfing trips, and around 12 hours of surfing under my belt, I am hooked.

My first surfing trip was in La Union, our introduction to the wonders of surfing. I found it fairly easy to catch a wave, with the help of Manong surfer who pushed us so we can ride the fairly easy waves (1-footers). Although I knew I had a long way to go in terms of skills, I felt I had the basics covered which, as far as I was concerned, was standing up and keep standing up until the wave died out. The following day, this time with no help from Manong surfer, we failed to catch some waves as there weren't as many good ones as the previous day. I, however, was not deterred.... me and my friends vowed to come back.

Brgy. Pundakit in Zambales was entirely a different story. We enrolled in a surf camp offered by Stonemoney Surf and 'trained' by surf-master Joe Villatora (a real surf pro from Hawaii). The waves here where much much bigger... 5 footers I believe, since a typhoon has passed by recently. We never caught any waves, but this was the real eye opener for me into the surfing lifestyle. As Joe said, 90% of surfing is paddling and I was okay with that. I loved the notion of paddling into the line up and waiting for the right wave to come. And the feeling of the wave just when it catches you.... heaven.

Finally, before the surfing season ended, Tots invited us back to Zambales for a final surf trip this time in San Narciso. Everyone was excited and really stoked to catch some waves, but disappointment greated us as we approached the beach... no waves. So we ended up playing frisbee and hanging out for the rest of the day. The following day, I woke up to my friends saying "Let's head off to the beach, there are waves! Time to surf!". And so we did... after some time of trying to catch one, I finally did it. I caught my own wave, and from then on I pretty much caught wave after wave... such is the life of a surfer.

goodbye wardude....

.... hello surferdude