BakuNaga dragon boat race gets underway

Against the backdrop of an overcats sky, the 2017 BakuNaga Dragon Boat Race revs off today at the Boardwalk in Naga City south of Cebu.

Due to the inclement weather, Randy Su, one of the race organizers, said they will take all the necessary precautions to secure the safety of the participants, which is their top priority.

"All teams are mandated to wear life vests for safety purposes. Also, we reduced the distance from 400m to 300m in both open and mixed categories so that we could finish the race earlier," said Su. "But if we feel that it's already unsafe for the participants to compete, then we will automatically call off the race because their safety is our number one priority."

Nine teams will be joining in the competition.

Cebu's hometown bets are Gruppo Habagat Dragon Boat Team, Philippine Accessibility Disability Services (PADS) Inc. Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team, Ariya Dragon Boat Team, Cebu Fireblades Dragon Boat, Poseidon Dragon Boat Team, and the newly-formed Accenture paddlers.

Out to challenge them are the out-of-towners namelyYellow Fin Dragon Boat Team of Dumaguete City, Bohol Paddlers, and Biliran State Universtiy (BSU)-Tacloban Paddlers.

Cash prizes, trophies and medals will be given away to the winners of the event backed up by Naga City LGU led by mayor Kristine Chiong in association with the Dragon Boat Cebu Central and the Philippines Sports Commission.—

Lariosa

Gloreitta T.