Dagupeño teen wins Windsurfing Cup
DAGUPAN—A 15-year-old Dagupeño won the championship in the RSone Juniors’ Class category in the first Windsurfing Cup held at Tondaligan Blue Beach on April 14-15.
Joaquin Gimenez, a grandson of lawyer Liberato Reyna Jr., prevailed over other members of the Philippine Windsurfing Team from Manila, Batangas, and Dagupan. Finishing in second and third places were Lance Napa and Joshua Napa, respectively.
Two-time windsurfing world champion Yancy Kaibigan topped the RSone Seniors’ Class while Geylord “Evang” Coveta finished second and Renz Amboy won third place.
Gimenez, Kaibigan and Coveta are members of the Philippine Windsurfing Team that represents the country in international windsurfing events.
In the RSone Women’s Class, Bonay Napa was the big winner, with Vinna Dolor in second place and Chloe Buencamino in third.
Winners in the RSone Kids’ Class were Andrei Tugade, champion; Zedly Sumauang, second place, and Tantin Dolor, third place.
The competitions served as qualifying round for top windsurfers who will represent the country in next international events, according to event chairman Karlos Reyna.
Meanwhile, Paolo Morato, acting secretary-general of the Philippine Windsurfing Association (PWA), said the successful cup in the city will “definitely call for another event next year and every year thereafter”.
“The beach is perfect for windsurfing. You got good wind, you got a nice beach, and it’s wide. It’s perfect for races. We are going to do this again next year and every year after,” Morato said.
Morato and Mayor Belen Fernande have agreed to bring Dagupan’s windsurfers to Batangas for training, after which they can be tapped to teach the sport to aspiring windsurfers in this city.
Morato also said that aside from the national team races, PWA will likely consider doing a slalom race in Dagupan with pro riders not only from the Philippines, but also from other Southeast Asian countries.
The association last year conducted free training for Dagupeños interested in the sport. (CIO/JCB)
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