Paraw Sailing

Paraw sailing is one of the most popular water sports in Boracay. A paraw is a small boat that is native to the Philippines. Its single shallow hull is usually made from wood and bamboo. On a paraws sides are two floaters or logs that act as outriggers to help balance the boat and prevent it from capsizing. The paraw sail itself is a sight to behold. Paraws usually have a very colorful and creatively done sails that signifies a lot about the paraws owners, as they usually are an expression of the owners personalities. An average paraw can hold around 4 to 6 passengers. Historically, the paraw may be attributed to the Borneans that sailed to the Philippines, particularly in the Visayan region, during the 1200s to venture for trade and commerce.

Boracay is usually associated with the unique and colorful picture of visitors engaged in paraw sailing. However, even before Boracay was discovered as a prime tourist destination, locals have already been paraw sailing for livelihood and travel between islands. Paraw sailing may even be taken as a more preferred form of water transportation since it is eco-friendly, running only on wind, and relaxing, since it doesnt have the noisy motor of most bancas or boats. It is also ideal to go paraw sailing for beach or island hopping since its shallow single hull allows it to dock right at the beach without too much fuss.

It is during the month of January that the Annual International Paraw Cup Challenge ensues in Boracay. It is during this time that the northeastern monsoon provides the fuel, strong winds, that grant the best conditions for paraw sailing. Paraw sailing is most commonly compared to the popular foreign water sport, windsailing.

Paraw sailing is not only for competitions. Frequent visitors of Boracay attest that paraw sailing is a must do when vacationing in the island. Aside from the white sand and clear waters, paraw sailing offers the best venue to relax and laze around while enjoying the sea, sun, sky and sights of Boracay. It is now commonplace for tourists and island visitors to go paraw sailing as part of their sightseeing around Boracay and other nearby islands that offer numerous beauty spots.

One of the most popular paraw sailing skipper is Captain Joey of Red Pirates. On the average, it will cost tourists and visitors Php500.00 for one hour of paraw sailing. This also includes a crew, usually a captain and a skipper, to take tourists and island visitors around the islands. Red Pirates may also offer picnics or barbecue meals together with the paraw sailing package for a reasonable price.

Paraw sailing is easy, affordable and a lot of fun whether you are looking for speed or relaxation in Boracay.