CEBUANO paddler Buzzy Budlong will venture on a new expedition, which will cover the northern and southern tips of Cebu on Jan. 19 to 23.
Budlong, known as the first and only Filipino to cross from Saranggani to Pagudpud via kayak in 88 days, will use five different types of water craft in five days in his latest stint, dubbed the Formula 5 Cebu Paddle Expedition.
Unlike his 88-day expedition, where he used a kayak, Budlong will be riding a stand-up-paddle (SUP) board, surfski, sea kayak, OC1 and Baruto Bigiw.
The expedition will follow the route of Cebu’s west side, traversing along Tañon Strait for a total of 270 kilometers.
Budlong will start paddling using an SUP from Daanbantayan to San Remigio for 40 kilometers, he will then change to a surfski to traverse 50 kilometers from Mancao Point to Asturias. Day 3 will be a 60-kilometer journey from Tubigmanok to Boho in Aloguinsan using the outrigger canoe.
The fourth day will start from Boho to Moalboal using a sea kayak and on Day 5 he will use the local fisherman sail boat called BarutoBigiw from Saavedra to Santander.
It is expected that the North east Monsoon or Hanging Amihan will bring about 15 knots downwind, which can make the voyage both easy and difficult for the paddler. About three to four feet shoreline waves are also anticipated, along with five to 12-foot high of shore swells.
Budlong told reporters in a press conference yesterday that this expedition aims to promote paddle as a sport in the coastal areas both for fitness and enhancing tourism.
He added Cebu has a lot of unexplored waters that can be reached and appreciated through paddling Budlong stressed that this activity will be part in promoting its advocacy in making Cebu as the paddling capital of the country.
A crew will be meeting Budlong during the stopovers and the same crew will hold daytime activities like free paddle clinics for the locals.