Mylene Flores
You’ll definitely feel your adrenaline charging up as soon as you step foot on Pili, Camarines Sur’s water sports complex. The Camsur Watersports Complex (one of the first in the Philippines) has sturdy cables/ropes, creatively designed wakeboards, high platforms and entertaining facilities. Should you lack the necessary wakeboarding skills, CWC will still make sure that you experience a lot of thrilling stuff before leaving the activity-filled open space.
Wakeboarding for all ages
Wakeboarding never really made it to my list of adventure-seeking activities. But it certainly made a mark on my wandering soul. I may not be the athletic type. But balancing myself atop a floating device made me feel the value and hard work when doing the sport.
Now, holding on to dear life never made more sense, as soon as I got pulled forward by the fast rope. It was a different kind of high, despite crashing head first into the water (quite a few times actually!). It was challenging. But it was so much fun regardless of the body pains that I felt the next morning.
Price Range
Rates may have already changed since my last visit in 2009. But I’m sure the prices haven’t increased extensively, since many enthusiasts have been continually supporting the sport. Moreover, cable park rates may vary per hour, half-day, whole day and night rate ($3 – $24). Equipment rental prices also have separate charges. But the cost is still very much affordable. Apart from that, there are also premium wakeboard rental fees that range from $9 – $31.
How to ride a wakeboard
Riding an actual wakeboard is not an easy undertaking. So it’s best to remember the pointers during your orientation, and to wear all of the basic safety equipment (life vest and helmet) before riding off.
The first thing that you‘ll need to do is to determine which foot to put forward. So know your ‘lead foot’, as this will help you position your board. And as you step on the board, make sure to insert your feet into the bindings. When you’re finally strapped on the board, start positioning yourself by doing the right stance. Your riding stance should look like you’re squatting. Do this while putting your weight by lying back, and by keeping your toes in a pointed position.
The cable will gradually pull you into the water, until you’re settled above the wakeboard. The speed of the rope will accelerate. So don’t stand upright just yet as you’ll immediately lose your balance. Just keep squatted until you can steadily stand and put more weight on your back foot. Now, when you feel like you’re finally in-line with the cable, slowly pull yourself up from the board. Your knees should still be bent as this will help absorb the bumps that you’ll experience from the rush of the water. Also, hold the handle low, and have it positioned beside the hip of your lead leg. This will keeps things steady while you ride.
Wakeboarding is a fun sport. So don’t get easily discouraged when you fall into the water, or even drown a few times. It gets better. Just try and try until you feel like you’re ready to conquer the more complicated paths and platforms. Staying on the board for longer periods is quite sensational if you’re persistent enough to succeed.
CWC can be accessed via plane (Naga or Legaspi bound) or through a 12-hour bus ride from Manila.
