PADS, Pink Paddlers bring act to Boracay

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS) Adaptive Dragon Boat Racing Team and the Cebu Pink Paddlers hope to reap more honors as they compete in the 12th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival starting today at the Henann Regency Resort in Boracay Island.

On the heels of their resounding victory in the Cebu Dragon Boat Fiesta over the weekend in the City of Naga, PADS and the Pink Paddlers will take up another challenge against 30 squads from all over the world in what is considered as the biggest and longest international dragon boat race in the country.

"The preparation was the Naga race itself. Recover lang gamay gikan sa bakbakan last weekend, then bakbak na sab," said PADS and Pink Paddlers head coach Christian Ian Sy.

For the Pink Paddlers, Sy said they are more eager to pull off a medal finish this time. "As for last year, we didn't have any medal that is why we are hungry to win this time. We came prepared and we will give our opponents a run for their money."

The all-female Pink Paddlers team, composed of breast cancer survivors, will be competing in the masters all-women category, women's regular category, and the small and standard boat events.

PADS, which is composed of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), on the other hand , will vie in the 250 and 500 meters open small and standard boat, mixed small and standard boat, masters small boat, and women's small boat. — (FREEMAN)