Chinese, Mindanao dragon boat teams go head-to-head in Surigao

By Erwin M. Mascariñas
Correspondent .

Surigao City — Three Chinese and 19 Philippine dragon boat teams from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao went head-to-head during the final rounds of the 2nd Surigao International Dragon Boat Festival along the open waters of the race ground here, Sunday morning.

During the early morning race of the 200 meters Standard Open, three teams from Mindanao took the semi-final rounds with a team from China.

Shenzhen International from China dominated the 200m Standard Open category with a time of 49:990 followed by Kampilan from Davao City with a time of 50.270, Cagayan de Oro City’s Liceo University Dragonoids came in 3rd with 51.070 then Kujaw Tiger Dragons from the town of Cortes, Surigao del Sur came last at 51.490.

For the 200m Small Boat Mixed category, Hydra Dragons took the top spot with 54.340 sec. followed by Davao City’s Kampilan with 57.860, the 3rd spot went to Surigao City’s Bugsay Marajao with 58.110 and then Umagu Dragon Boat team from Dumaguete City took the last at 58.290.

In the 200m Small Boat Open, Surigao City’s Bugsay Marajao took the top spot with 56.530 sec, follow closely at 57.370 by Rong Wei Dongguan from China, then Speed Devilz from Manila came in 3rd with 59.790, and then the Dumaguete’s Umagu Dragon Boat at 1.00.190 minute. 

“The race was an epic showcase of what our Filipino paddlers can do and compete with world-class paddlers from the birthplace of Dragon boat, Guangdong province in China. Going head-to-head with the veteran Chinese teams was exciting,” said Jake Miranda, race director.

Priscilla Pinky Castillo, race chief technical official from Bugsay Pilipinas pointed out the exceptional performance showcased by teams from Mindanao.

“We can see that in all categories, teams from Davao City, Surigao City, Cagayan de Oro City and even from the small town of Cortez in Surigao del Sur province took their performance to a whole new level,” said Castillo.