Travel » The Philippines

The Philippines: tropical jewels

Like much of Asia, the scene here is still growing amongst the local population. However, the Philippines has proved itself to be particularly receptive to new sports – witness the upsurge of interest in kayaking, climbing, surfing and mountain biking in recent years.

Ocean races are a colourful and thrilling spectacle, and help attract new blood, especially vital in aplace like Asia where there is a growing inter­est in encouraging more locals to take up the sport Photo : Joan Boivin

Proof that sailing is taking hold comes from recent per­formances by Philippine sail­ors, which include first and third places in the Coronation Cup Platu Regatta in Thailand, and a good showing in the Hobie 16 World Champion­ships in Australia. These re­sults stem directly from the ef­forts of sailing clubs –like Lake Taal Yacht Club and Subic Bay Yacht Club – to develop a sail training strategy for the future.

Meanwhile, cruising in the Philippines is a secret that’s only just starting to be discov­ered. With thousands of islands and an enormously long coast­line to explore, there’s some­thing for everyone. November to March offers the best sail­ing conditions, as the northeast monsoon brings good breeze sand bright, sunny weather.

In April, Subic Bay Yacht Club hosts the President’s Cup. This key event now includes a full range of one-design and multihull classes – more a fes­tival of sail than a single off­shore race series. As the sport grows, clubs have worked to­gether to co-ordinate events, and there’s a healthy outlook in Philippine sailing circles. Wider recognition of the excellent conditions is just around the corner and with it is cer­tain to come a big expansion in facilities and choice.