Competition during the return of the Anilao Windsurf regatta to Mabini, Batangas on March 22 to March 2 – Arnel Tacson / Inquirer.net
Mabini, Batangas – Anilao Windsurffre’s regatta returned to Mabini, Batangas, on March 22 to 23, ending a five -year interruption due to the Pandemic COVID -19.
The event, which was held at Saltitude Dive and Beach Resort, attracted 51 participants who participated in 20 races this weekend.
This year’s programming presented members of the national windsurfing team, budding athletes from the Mabini base training program and recreational sailing boards ranging from 11 to 72 years. Distributed in 11 categories, the diversified mixture of sailors testified to the attraction of sport in various age groups.
READ; Anilao Windsurf Regata 2019: Historical tendon and funny freedom
“The beauty of windsurfing is that it is a sport that you can appreciate at any age,” said Anna Marco, head of the regatta organizing committee in 2025. “I am myself in the fifties. We have children who start as young as five or six years old, and many networks that are still active in their senior years. ”
The regatta of Anilao Windsurf began in 1999 as a way to bring the community closer to local windsurfing, promote friendly competition and provide experience in real race scenarios.
“Many windsurfing – even some in the national team – have not had the chance to run internationally,” noted Marco. “It is therefore our goal of providing the experience of the race to everyone in a local and easily accessible environment.”
The first day of the regatta started with three rounds for children and novice categories. When the wind resumed, two rounds followed for the sailors of class A, B, C open and senior. Although the awards are won by category, the practice is that several classes are simultaneously on the water to make the most of the prevailing winds.
“The race is completely different from windsurfing for fun,” said the former member of the Philippin team Richard Harrow. “It’s more crowded than usual. You can bang yourself. If you lose your balance, your veil could fall on someone else … so that you can’t just think about you; You must also think of sailors around you. ”
Competition during the return of the Anilao Windsurf regatta to Mabini, Batangas on March 22 to March 2 – Arnel Tacson / Inquirer.net
While the moderate winds on Saturday allowed certain races to take place, the highly anticipated wing paper races of the Philippine team had to be postponed because they needed more wind to obtain an effective takeoff and uprising.
Wings foiling is a relatively new nautical sport that has evolved from kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing. The sailor, standing on a board, keeps an inflatable wing, which generates both up and the horizontal force to propel the board through the water. A paper board, which lifts water, meets less friction and, when associated with the wing wing, allows runners to speed up through water at impressive speeds.
Read: The windsurfing competition makes waves in Batangas
The wind that died in the middle of the afternoon on Saturday, the races were interrupted in favor of communion and the Sunset Socials. “It’s just the nature of sport,” said race commentator Etienne Verzola. “We depend on the wind, and the wind does not always cooperate. But there is always tomorrow.”
To the relief of each, Sunday brought winds worthy of the race despite the forecast predictions the opposite. The races began as usual with novice categories, children and class C men, completing six rounds in total. With the strengthening of the wind in the middle of the morning, even the wing sailors were able to carry out four other races alongside classes A, B, C, open and senior. Two other rides for A, B, C, Open and Foil Wing crowned the afternoon races.
Class C men, all members of the popular team, participated in most races – 11 in total – as additional training under the direction of the German race director Paz, who is also head coach of the Mabini basic program.
The municipality of Mabini, where Anilao is, has long been recognized as a hub for windsurfing in the Philippines. This is the base of the national windsurfing team, whose members are chosen from the most promising athletes in the basic program.
Raul Lazo, head coach of the Philippine Windsurfing Association, proudly spoke of the achievements of the national team in regional competitions, including a praise of the Senate for their performance during the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA). In February, the team delivered an impressive performance to the 44th Singapore Open Windsurfing, Wing & Wing Foiling Championship 2025, winning 11 medals at home in various categories.
While Lazo has recognized that the qualifications for the Olympic board has become increasingly difficult over the years, it has not excluded the possibility of an Olympic dream.
The reward ceremony on Sunday afternoon was filled with great hopes for future victories with a board board. While the sails and the advice were put aside, tabuated scores, the puffed palm trees were tense and the awards were presented to the winners who are smiling and tanned by the sun, the organizers expressed their gratitude to the many people and organizations who made possible the long -awaited return of the regatta.
Sponsors and events of the event included Metro Pacific Investments, Tullay, Arthaland, Ocean Flavors, Frabelle Foods, Tropical Fresh, Cafe O, Max International, Inquirer.net, Saltitude Dive and Beach Resort, Mabini Tourim, J Silverio Watersports, Janao Windssurfing and Philippine Winddsurfing Association.
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Anilao Windsurf’s regatta in 2025 represented more than the return of a friendly competition. He marked a collective refocusing on a beloved sport, reaffirming the commitment of the community towards windsurfing and its continuous growth. With more young athletes joining veterans sailors on Anilao waters, the future of windsurfing in the Philippines looks brilliant.
