Dragonboat team mourns death of Boracay paddlers

THE Cebu dragon boat community is mourning the loss of seven paddlers from Boracay who drowned when their boat capsized during a training session.

“We are deeply saddened to hear this news that happened to our fellow athletes in the dragon boat community,” the Philippine Accessible Disability Service Inc. (Pads) Dragonboat Adaptive Racing Team executive director John Paul Maunes said.

“It’s really a sad incident. Seven brothers in the paddling community died,” said Pads team captain Arnold Balais, who led his team to a gold medal finish in the recently concluded 14th IDBF World Dragonboat Racing Championship. “Safety measures are really important in training and competitions.”

The head coach of the Aboitiz Dragonboat Team and the Cebu Pink Paddlers Dragon Boat Team Christian Ian Sy said the incident reminded them to be more cautious on the safety precautions in training and races.

He said the team always considers five things for the paddler’s safety.

“First we check the water condition or the weather updates, check the equipment. We are required to wear life vests even if the paddler is a pro swimmer. We have basic training in swimming and we do regular “capsize drills” with the team,” said Sy.

Maunes said that during the team’s practices, safety is always their first priority, especially in the Mactan Channel, where there are fast crafts and boats and other water vessels passing by.

“As a member of the Philippine Dragonboat Federation, we follow certain protocols regarding safety measures. We even do a headcount during and after our practices,” he said, adding that the incident will remind the paddlers to wear personal floating devices.

Maunes hopes this incident will not discourage people from joining water sports since it is an “isolated” one.

The Cebu paddlers knew the Boracay Dragon Force team since they competed against each other in the Boracay Dragon Force Team in 2018 International DragonBoat Festival in Boracay.

“Our prayers will continue for the team,” said Balais.

“We shall never forget the fond memories, the sportsmanship and competitive spirit they had as a team when we raced side-by-side with them in 2018,” Maunes said.

The dragon boat carrying the 21 members of the Boracay Dragon Force capsized in the waters of Boracay Island on Wednesday, Sept. 25, leaving seven dead—four male and three females. (RSC)

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