Palompon’s neophyte team wins first dragon boat race

PALOMPON, LEYTE, Philippines — Call it beginner’s luck or having the home court advantage, but a neophyte dragon boat team of this town grabbed the first place crown over more experienced rowing teams during the first invitational dragon boat exhibition fun race held here last Saturday.

Residents of this town, famous for its tourism-renowned Kalanggaman Island, cheered as their “Dragonus” team crossed the finish line first to win the tournament finals.

The Palompon’s team was followed by the Bohol Paddlers, for second place, and Paramount Habagat that took third place over Hilera/Kugtong team from Cebu.

Vice Mayor Georgina Arevalo said the invitational race was held to introduce the sport to Palomponganons, hoping to make it a part of Palompon’s annual water sports competitions held every November 8.

Arevalo said the local team waited for the dragon boat that 4th Leyte Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez earlier said she would try to obtain for the town.

Mayor Ramon Oñate said they had to borrow instead a dragon boat from Cebu, and that the “Dragonus” was a hastily organized team and its members only learned how to use the dragon boat in just three days immediately before the competition.

The team members even used training paddles to row their boat, which were heavier than those used in actual competitions, said the town official.

Oñate said the town was expecting more participants to come, but then the news of the coming typhoon Nona at the time had discouraged some teams to join the tournament, organized by the Palompon local government unit. —Lalaine M. Jimenea (FREEMAN)