Kiteboarding

Although still in its early stages, kiteboarding in Boracay is slowly gaining popularity as an extreme sport for people who are looking for adventure and thrill.

In kiteboarding, the rider is propelled by a surf-board like equipment and a power kite with controls. The rider is connected to the board with straps which serves as the control for the kite.

It is estimated that there are a quarter of a million kiteboarding enthusiasts worldwide. Over the years, these kiteboarders have made their way to the beaches of Boracay.

One of the best places to go kiteboarding in Boracay is Bulabog Beach. It has been dubbed as the center of kiteboarding and winsurfing activities in Asia. The beach is ideal for kitesurfers because of its windy conditions and low waters.

Although considered by many enthusiasts as risky, modern kite design technology have incorporated safety release procedure on the kiteboards. Aside from that, comprehensive rider education focuses on the importance of safety in these activities.

Bulabog Beach ranks as the top kiteboarding spot in Asia and among the top five in the world. It is likewise ideal for novice riders as there are many certified International Kiteboarding Association (IKO) instructors in the area.

For beginners, learning the basics of kiteboarding in Boracay will take between two to four days to gain full understanding and master the basic skills. The instructions are mostly hands-on and practical. Half an hour is devoted to tips on weather, tides, and safety.

Beginners courses are available for PHP 5,750 for a single day of lessons. A three-day course, on the other hand, costs PHP 14,400. There are six rental shops along Bulabog Beach.

Habagat is another suitable venue for kiteboarding in Boracay. It has two locations in Bulabog beach namely Habagat Kite Village and Habagat Banana Saging. Kiteboarding tutorials are handled by efficient IKO-certified instructors. The courses may range from Beginner to Advanced. Equipment rental is available at the Habagat Kite Village.

On January 11-17, 2009, Bulabog Beach will play host to the 21st International Funboard Cup. The event showcases the talents of at least 100 kiteboarders from all over the globe. It has three categories: Big Air, Freestyle, and Speed Trials.

At the same time, Boracay will play host to the 1st Russian Kiteboarding Camp. The Department of Tourism is planning to localize this activity in Boracay Island.

When planning to go kiteboarding in Boracay, it is important that guests should book in advance. While these venues are easily accessible, they are usually fully-booked.