A National Skimboarding Competition is all set to take place in the jet-black volcanic sand beaches of Arimbay, Legazpi City on April 26 to 28, 2010. Skimboarding is a boardsport wherein a skimboard (a smaller, sleeker version of a surfboard) is used to ride on an incoming wave.

Source: Albay Tourism

Unlike surfing, skimboarding begins on the beach, with skimboarders running and dropping the board onto the thin wash of previous waves. They use their momentum to ‘skim’ out to breaking waves, which they then catch back into shore in a manner similar to surfing.

Skimboarding is rising in popularity in the beaches of Albay. The fine volcanic sand is considered ideal for the sport.

Photo by Brix Borras

For more information about this event, please contact the Albay Tourism Office at the following details:

Telephone: (52) 481-0250
Fax: (52) 481-0250
e-mail: albaytourism@gmail.com

Challenge the odds, dare to do more, face your fears, and be the last team standing. Join the 1st Albay Eco Challenge. In celebration of the 2nd anniversary of the National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation (NCCCA). The Albay CIRCA (Center for Initiatives and Researche on Climate Adaptation) is holding the first ever Albay Eco Challenge. The event is designed to increase awareness on climate change and other important environmental issues.


The 1st Albay Eco Challenge is open to all 18-40 year old environment enthusiasts who are physically and mentally fit. Competing teams must be composed of three and applicants will be screened. Screening starts on August 24, 2009 up to October 19, 2009. If you are interested to join, registration forms are available at the Centre for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), your nearest municipal/city tourism office, or you can download at the Albay CIRCA official website.

Kindly submit your duly accomplished registration forms together with one (1) pc. 2×2 photo and birth certificate on or before October 19, 2009 to the CIRCA Office located at Albay Provincial Capitol Annex II, Legazpi City.

For inquiries, contact Mr. RYAN BOTER at 09129531515, telefax (052) 480-3649, or visit the Albay CIRCA official website and Albay Eco Challenge.

Experience one of the most grueling and physically-challenging (yet visually-rewarding) races in the Philippines when Mayon Trail Run returns this October 18, 2009! This will be the second Mayon Trail Run after the successful race held last year just in time for Legazpi’s Ibalong Festival. The race is designed to help in the awareness campaign for environmental issues such as global warming and climate change.

The Mayon Trail Run is organized by the Junior Chamber International, worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs whose members are more popularly known as Jaycees.

Last year’s race took over 150 participants from the Philippines and even abroad through a challenging 18 kilometer trail. The 18k run started from the Peñaranda Park in the heart of Legazpi City then proceeded to the 156-meter Ligñon Hill. Runners then navigated their way through brush, sand, boulders and rocks in a newly created back trail traversing the Yawa river to the Bonga gully, one of the main pathways of volcanic debris from the mighty Mayon Volcano.

Reaching the lava front (created during the most recent eruption of Mayon in 2006) the racers made a U-turn and climbed back to the Ligñon Hill for the final leg of the race. The 2008 Mayon Trail Run was won by Elmer Sabal.

This year’s Mayon Trail Run promises to be bigger, better and definitely more exciting. The organizers have created a new 21-kilometer race route that will take runners first to the hills of Estanza in Legazpi City, where they will regaled with a sweeping 360 degree view of the city, Mayon Volcano, the Albay Gulf and surrounding areas.

The race will then proceed to Ligñon Hill, with it’s challenging Kapit-Tuko Trail and Wisdom Paths, down to the Yawa River and onwards to the Bonga gulley on the slopes of Mayon.  Click here for more photos of the new trail.

Mayon Trail Run also has bigger prizes at stake with the winner of the Open Trail Run (also dubbed King of Mayon) taking home $2,000. A unique Finisher’s medal, made from volcanic debris from Mayon with the mold designed by local artist Rolando Binaday, will be awarded to the first 500 runners who makes it to the finish line within the cut off time of 4hrs. Click here to view the other prizes that await this year’s winners.

Mayon Trail Run 2009 Finisher’s medal

For information regarding registration for the Mayon Trail Run 2009, please visit the official website (still under construction) at Mayontrailrun.com. Sponsorships and other important details are still being finalized so make sure you check the site. You may also get in touch with Mr. Yves Eli Yu, one of the organizers of the Mayon Trail Run, at his website: Becoolrunner.com

The province of Albay offers a wide range of terrain perfect for extreme mountain biking. Whether you are looking for rough, steep and rocky terrain or tracks winding through rain forests, streams and fields – the intrepid mountain biker can find it in Albay. For instance, there’s nothing like mountain biking on the slopes of the most active volcano in the country – the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Looking for boulders, rocks, dirt, sand, streams, thick canopies, and lots of big drops through gulleys of hardened lava? This is it!

As world famous mountain bikers Brian Lopes and Hans Rey have discovered, Legazpi City has world class mountain biking trails with a breathtaking view to match! Being able to ascend from sea level up to almost 3000 feet in a mountain bike and ride hard and fast back down through the most challenging terrain with an active volcano staring down from above – this is a life changing experience.

For more info regarding mountain Biking Mayon Volcano please contact Ricky Serra 09178621007 or Roman 09175117722

Bike shipping to and from Legazpi from Metro Manila is available for less than P300 via Prieto forwarders +63 2-5228505; +63 2-3030278; +63 52 4805506 or Daily Overland +63 52 4806138

More photos, courtesy of Ricky Sierra:

Get ready for an action-packed weekend on April 18-19, 2009 with the Albay Seige II: Invitational Airsoft Competition. The 2nd Airsoft Speedball Competition is one of the most anticipated events, not only for airsoft enthusiasts, but also for everyone who loves to watch a good combat game. The battle erupts at the Bicol University Football Field. For the uninitiated, airsoft is a game in which participants eliminate opponents by hitting each other with spherical non-metallic pellets fired from a compressed-air gun (or airsoft gun) powered by gas, manual spring-load, or electrically powered gearbox.

FPS: 450FPS/.20bbs
TYPE: speedball / single roundrobin
COMPOSITION: 12 MAN TEAM
REGISTRATION: 2500/team with free lunch
TIME: 5MINUTES/GAME

EXHIBITION GAME:
NORTH V SOUTH: ALL WOMEN’S OPERATIVE
12 WOMEN TEAM

Prizes:
CHAMPION: 15000
1ST RUNNER UP : 10000
2ND RUNNER UP : 5000

For more information, contact the following:

MattHitman- 639167800768
Gen. McArthur- 639102272757
Diablo- 639162159831

The Magayon Fest Amazing Race is an adventure race highlighting many of our community’s unique features and heritage. Teams of two individuals will race around the Province of Albay in competition with other teams. Teams strive to complete challenges in three different categories to win major cash prizes. Challenge categories include: Arts & Culture and Hands-on, Fun and Festivals, and Adventure & Sports.


The race starts in the City of Legazpi. Teams must then follow clues and instructions and make their way to checkpoints in places around the province, eventually racing back to the finish line in Legazpi City. Along the way they perform tasks that represent the culture of the present city or municipality.

Contestants travel to and within multiple municipalities/cities in a variety of transportation modes, including PUJ’s, PUV’s, bus, and tri-mobile. Teammates must race the entire race together; they cannot split up (except when instructed to do so by a clue, albeit temporarily) or continue on without each other.

Race Legs

Leg Structure

Each leg of the race shall consist of initial Route Marker, pointing the team to where they must go and directing the teams to the Check-in Mat at the Pit Stop. Teams are required to complete each task in order

The Check-in Mat

When teams arrive at the Pit Stop, they must step on the Check-in Mat – the official finish line for that leg – in front of the assigned YA overseer and a local greeter that represents the community they are presently in. If the team has incurred any penalties or failed to complete a task, the YA overseer will tell the team their arrival position and instead of checking them in, they will be ask to return to the missed task.

Pit Stops

Pit Stops are the final destination in each leg of the race, and where teams go after checking in at the mat. Each Pit Stop has a Mandatory Rest Period which allows teams to “eat, sleep, and mingle” with each other. During Pit Stops, teams will also interview to provide commentary and voice-overs for the completed leg. While teams are restricted to where they can go, teams are free to use the remaining time for any purpose as they see fit. During the Pit Stops, racers are required to relinquish Race – provided material from the previous legs, including clues, maps, and additional instructions.

Final leg

The first part of the leg includes intermediate destination(s) where the teams must travel to complete a task. The second part of the leg has teams traveling to a final destination where they will check in (final pit stop). The first team to reach the finish line wins the race and the top cash prize.

Route Marker: are the flags that mark the places where teams must go in order to complete a tasks
Route Information: clues that provides the name of the team’s next destination; it is up to the team to figure out how to get there, however, the clue may make specifications about how the teams have to travel

Pit Stop: The end destination for each leg of a race, at which point a Team must “clock in.”

Mandatory Rest Period: allows teams to “eat, sleep, and mingle” with each other; it is up to the organizers to decide whether the rest period begins when all teams arrived, thus keeping the same time gap between each other

Check-in Mat: a large rectangular mat where the teams will check in every after completing a task in every leg of the race

Contact Details

Inquire about the Magayon Festival Amazing Race 2009 at the following contact numbers:

09213108270
09203843646
09217203569

The province of Albay has a wealth of wonders that’s just waiting to be discovered and experienced by the intrepid adventurer. The group of outlying islands composed of Cagraray, Rapu-rapu, Batan and San Miguel (collectively known as CRABS) that straddles the Albay and Lagonoy Gulfs offer some of the province’s best beaches, coral reefs, secluded coves, centuries-old shipwrecks, mangrove swamps and even an underground river.

View of Mayon from San Miguel Island | Photo by ~MVI~

Itinerary

Day 1:

Assemby: City Hall Tabaco

Depart Tabaco City via motorcycle

Arrive at Mayon Skyline Park

Film Showing @ Mayon Planetarium

Other activities: Rappelling, Zipline & Wall climbing

SNACKS

Continuation of Activities

LUNCH

Depart Mayon Skyline Park back to Tabaci City

Arrive @ Tabaco City for brief city tour (Cutlery making @ Cobo, Tabaco Church

Shopping for souvenirs

Depart for Tabaco Port

Arrive @Punta, Brgy. Rawis, San Miguel Island.

Activities: Camping, mountain biking, sightseeing, brgy. visit and swimming)

DINNER

Bonfire with Cultural show

LIGHTS OFF

Day 2:

Wake up call

Resume mountain biking at Campsite

BREAKFAST

Orientation

Depart Brgy. Rawis on motor bike going to neighboring barangays up to Brgy. Buang, Cagraray Island

Depart Brgy. Buang, Cagraray Island and off to Brgy Vinisitahan passing along scenic views of Pacific Ocean

LUNCH @ Brgy. Vinisitahan

Orientation on Agri-tourism

Visit Sanchez and Bermundo’s Farm

Boat ride to Uson.

Activities: Mangrove tour at Fish santuary

Fishing

SNACKS

Back to Campsite @ Brgy Uson

FREE TIME

Dinner

Cultural presentation & Bonfire

Lights off

Day 3:

Wake up call

BREAKFAST

Depart Brgy. Uson

Tour around Cagraray Island

LUNCH @ Brgy. Sula

Orientation on Kayaking

Hands-on kayaking

Depart Sula

Arrive @ Embarcadero

Dinner

Awarding of Certificates

Sula Channel | Source

The Mayon Trail Run is a 5-kilometer fun run and 18-kilometer adventure foot race organized by the Junior Chamber International and Northface, an international brand of sports apparel and outdoor equipment. This event is part of an awareness campaign against global warming. It was first held last October 2008 just in time for the annual Ibalong Festival in Legazpi City.

Mayon Trail Run Start

Trekking up Ligñon Hill

The race starts from the Peñaranda Park in the Old Albay District then proceeds to the summit of the 156-meter high Ligñon Hill then down again to a newly created back trail traversing the Yawa River up to the Bonga Gully, one of the major pathways of volcanic debris from Mayon Volcano. With this, the Mayon Trail Run has been described as one of the most grueling and unusual races by even the most experienced racers who hold national and international titles. Yves Eli Yu, project chair and vice president of JCI-Legazpi said the run seeks to promote awareness of climate change.

Crossing Yawa River

He also said that JCI-Legazpi is happy that the first MTR took place just one day after 10 lawmakers from Asia, Europe, Africa and South America signed the Manila Declaration on Climate Change, which calls on rich nations to create a global fund to help reduce disaster risks brought by rising sea temperatures.The five-page document, titled “The Manila Call for Action of Parliamentarians on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation,” was issued at the close of a two-day consultative meeting at Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

More than 150 runners participated in last year’s Mayon Trail Run. The winners were:

Male:

1st, Elmer Sabal (1:09:30)
2nd, Allan Ballester (1:10:08)
3rd, Cresenciano Sabal (1:10:35)

Female:

1st, Leszl Gitarueles (1:32:26)
2nd, Merlita Arias (1:45:07)
3rd. Ellen Tolentino (1:49:08).

City Councilor Chan at the Lava Rock Wall

The Mayon Trail Run is another exciting activity to look forward to in Legazpi City every year, not only for racers and athletes but also for folks who run for fun and for people who care for the environment.

Mayon Trail Run Finish Line

Mayon Trail Run Map

Sources:

“Mayon trail tackles global warming” by Ephraim Aguilar, Philippine Daily Inquirer, October 20, 2008
Photo Credit: Yves Eli Yu and Martin Reynoso, Mayon Trail Run Official Site

Climbing up to the summit of the Philippines’s most active volcano is truly an experience of a lifetime.  Climbing up to the level close to the summit or an area commonly referred to as the knife’s edge is for the intermediate-expert climber or for one who is very fit.  It normally takes two days and one night to reach the summit and it is essential that one have a competent and knowledgeable local guide.

To plan a climb of Mt. Mayon, one must register and log at the Mayon Volcano National Park and Ecological Campsite and Ecopark located at foot slope of Mt. Mayon specifically at Brgy. Lidong, Sto. Domingo, Albay.

It is recommended that visitors contact a local tour agency (available under the establishments section of this site) or visit the Department of Tourism- Region V (Their office is at the Regional Center Site, Barangay Rawis Legazpi City), in order to arrange for logistical requirements and safety precautions.

For the outdoor enthusiast interested in Day treks, one highly recommended trek is the Camp 1 site.  A four hour climb going up under a normal pace (it is about as far as an 18 hole round of golf only steeper and going down is usually 30% faster) from the Dona Pepita Golf Course and Ecopark or the Mayon Volcano National Park, this trail takes you to Camp 1 which is a base camp used by mountaineers before their final ascent up the Volcano.

Located roughly 780 meters from sea level and situated beside a relatively dry waterfall bed, this site offers spectacular views of the countryside and ocean below.  The journey to the site will take you thru some intensely varying and beautiful terrain including a lahar flow gulley, light Agoho Pine forests, heavily covered giant fern forests, and Kugon grassland.

Again a guide is essential and can be arranged through a local tour agency (available under the establishments section of this site) or visit the Department of Tourism- Region V (Their office is at the Regional Center Site, Barangay Rawis Legazpi City.

It’s late in the afternoon in the City, and amidst the bustle you see a steady steam of youths arriving at small pathway leading to the beach.  Between their armpits they carry mini surfboard shaped pieces of decorated plywood- called Skimboards.   Coming from work or school, they start arriving on bicycles, tricycles, jeepneys, cars and even on foot and rush to the beach to hit the waves.  Sounds like Hawaii?  Nope. This is Legazpi City, and these locals are doing what they love – skimboarding.

The sport of skimboarding entails running as fast as you are willing to fall, throwing your skimboard onto a thin film of water (around an inch deep of water is best), and then hopping onto your board and sliding down the slope of the beach.  If your athletic and talented enough you can do one of three things while sliding down the sand, one is to start doing some wild tricks like handstands or 360s, or you could use the incoming wave as a makeshift ramp and launch yourself into the air (up to 3 feet if your going fast enough on a good sized wave) or do what the masters do and meet the incoming wave, turn around, and surf it back to the shore (after successfully doing this you are expected to throw a thumbs up and the biggest smile you can muster as the crowds start cheering! -There are often lots of kids on the shore who cheer on the pros or give useful tips to beginners).

It actually seems like a very easy and straightforward thing to do, but like many other sports, it is a bit harder than it looks. With a little bit of practice thou, a few wipeouts, and lots of guts (the faster you run the longer your ride!-but again remember run only as fast as your willing to fall) you can be a skimboard pro in no time.

Well before you start you will need a skimboard.  These are relatively easy to make wherein one person can make 4 skimboards from a whole piece of ½ inch marine plywood.  If you are just visiting thou you should head over to Mayon skimboards and outdoor shop at 5th street Our Lady’s Village Bitano Legazpi City and rent or purchase your own board.  Board prices vary- ranging anywhere from P600 to P1,500 depending on how cool your board looks and how much work has gone into it.

Renting is another option but beware, boards tend to break after substantial amounts of use and if they break while you are using them you are expected to pay for them.  The locals are very helpful and can help you with directions to the best beach spots and skimboarding lessons if needed.

After you have your skimboard it is time to head to the beach!  Legazpi’s loose volcanic sand beaches (loose sand makes for a softer landing if you fall) are perfect for skimboarders because they offer varying wave breaks for both amateurs and experts.  Amateurs will prefer flatter portions of the beach usually found at the mouth of small creeks and experts will usually choose the areas where wave breaks are the largest.  The beach most frequented by the locals lie between two coconut oil refineries Cosay and Legazpi Oil.  Starting from around 3pm onwards many locals start arriving to enjoy the afternoon Pacific swells.  The best time of the year is from February until early June where the waves are at their largest.

The very best part of the Legazpi skimboarding experience is being able to share the experience with friendly people from absolutely all walks of life.  Because of the affordability of the equipment and the free use of the beach, you get musicians, street vendors, bankers, waiters, business owners, tricycle drivers, students, beach bums, and kids skimboarding side by side.  When you are on the beach skimboarding, social status become irrelevant and all that matters is how much fun your having….. And how cool you look on the waves…