Nipa haulers, tambays hog spotlight in dragon boat tilt

The Bohol Crabhouse Dragon Boat Team gave a spirited display of competitive dragon boat might during the recent 2nd COBRA-PDBF International Dragon Boat Club Crew Challenge – Bohol Edition.

The team, composed mostly of out-of-school youths, nipa harvesters and local fisher-folks from the town of Maribojoc, clearly defy your idea of a physically endowed athlete.

After all, the members of the team come in different sizes and shapes. But what they lack in physique and power they more than make up through self confidence and a never-say-die attitude.

And the underdogs proved they are up to the task against the country’s dragon boat superpowers when they nearly grabbed the final 4 spot – no thanks to a bump from the trailing boat which led them off-lane losing their top 4 spot in the Open 200m Category.

Scarred but not deterred, the team came back with the same intent and determination in the Open 500m Category the next day – a race distance they barely practiced in a category they never planned on competing.

Like most underdogs who have this silly habit of creating head-turning surprises, Bohol Crabhouse Dragon Boat team was at it again, and this time it was not to be denied.

They may not stand toe-to-toe or flex muscle-to-muscle with the likes of powerhouses teams Navy, Army and Coast Guard, but the Boholano newbies proved that they can pose a challenge and make the seasoned squads sweat a little as they finish fourth in the grueling distance.

Their secret? A determined heart, a focussed mind and more importantly, a plateful of “pancit.”

The Bohol Crabhouse Dragon Boat Team is managed by Kayakasia Philippines and is supported by Rudy Project “Technically Cool Eyewear”  Local Crag, Danao Adventure Park, Dalikyat 24 Hours, Aqua Pita, Bohol Casa Nino Resorts, SYLMAR Travel Cafe and SB Maribojoc.

RESULTS:

500M Open Standard: 1st- Lake Buhi, 2nd- Phil. Army, 3rd- Phil. Coast Guard, 4th- Bohol Crabhouse

500M Mixed Standard: 1st- Phil. Coast Guard, 2nd- Phil. Navy, 3rd- Triton A, 4th- Lake Buhi

500M Women Small Boat: 1st- Phil. Coast Guard, 2nd- Triton A, 3rd- Triton B, 4th- RCP Sea Dragons

2000M Open: 1st- Lake Buhi, 2nd- Phil Army, 3rd- Phil navy, 4th- Onslaught Racing Dragons

2000M Mixed: 1st- Lake Buhi, 2nd- Phil Coast Guard, 3rd- Phil Navy Standard, 4th- Triton A

200M Open: 1st- Phil Army, 2nd- Lake Buhi, 3rd- Phil Navy Srandard, 4th Bohol Paddlers Assoc. 1

200M Women Small Boat: 1st- Phil Coast Guard, 2nd- Phil Navy Standard, 3rd- Triton A, 4th- Bohol Paddlers Assoc. 1

200M Mixed Standard: 1st- Phil Coast Guard, 2nd- Lake Buhi, 3rd- Phil Army Standard, 4th- Triton A

200M Open Small Boat: 1st- Phil Army, 2nd- Phil Navy, 3rd- Lake Buhi B, 4th- Onslaught Racing Dragons.

/Contributor Marcelo Donaire and Sports Editor Rick C. Gabuya