I always want something spectacular during summer. But then my usual escapade is climbing Mt. Apo - the highest peak in the country, and for the record I’ve been to its summit for 15 times already. It’s no longer a conquest. It has become a routine visit. And I’ve come to my senses: I want something new in my life.
It was midsummer this year when some of my colleagues from my mountaineering club invited me to go wakeboarding. That wasn’t the first time I’ve heard about it from them. They’ve been inviting me ever since they’ve started wakeboarding but at first I didn’t bother a minute or two considering the invitation. But didn’t I make a personal decree that I wanted something new in my life? I guess, this is the beginning of a new milestone...
The Orientation
It was 12:30pm at Deca Homes Resort Residences, Mintal, Davao City. The man-made lake was still placid. The afternoon session starts at 1:00. Minutes after 1:00, together with other new players, I had my orientation...
The lake has five pylons - large vertical steel tower-like structures supporting high-tension cables that pull the rope that the player is holding. It also has 5 sets of twin buoys - floating objects anchored at a definite location to guide the players where to pass through. The rule for players is to make sure they pass through the buoys so they can easily adjust and adapt with the speed of the cable from one pylon to another. If a player, particularly a neophyte, fails to go between the buoys, there is a high probability that he/she falls from the board.
There is a designated exit in the area. If the player feels like resting he/she has to release the rope in the exit area. But if players fall far away from the exit, they have to walk a long way to the start area. For distance estimate, if you’re from Toril, that is from Metrobank to Mercury Drug, if you’re from Digos City, that is from DC Square to Flying A, if you’re in C.M. Recto, Davao City, that is from San Pedro Cathedral to Marco Polo, and if you’re from Manila , that is from Avenida to La Salle Taft...and remember you have to carry the board with you.
After the orientation, I wore my vest and helmet and prepared myself for the real thing.
Learning the Kneeboard
Focus and balance... First thing first - you need to be real determined to do the first routine, which is learning the kneeboard. The player has to sit in kneeling position on the board then fasten the strap. In my first attempt I fell near the exit...in my second round I fell in the exit...this means I didn't have to walk that long to reach the starting area again. My third attempt was a success. I shouted, whew! and then followed the fourth, the fifth and the sixth - four successive rounds without falling. I made it! Next, I have to be getting ready to explore the wakeboard.
Exploring the Slip on Wakeboard
More focus and balance... After the kneeboard, it was time to explore the wakeboard. By the way there are two types of wakeboard – the slip on and the binder. The slip on is for beginners while the binder is for advanced. I tried my best to make it with the slip on within ten attempts - but I failed...just almost...I needed more balance - that is to find my center and control the pivot...My friend Christian told me to be patient. He said it took him 100 times to succeed...But as I looked at my other friend, Myles, doing the rounds for several times, it really shattered my pride. Then I had a taste of sour grape. My inner voice told me: It’s just your first session, relax! It was already 3pm and my nerves were already tired. So I made up my mind. I had to come back and my goal was to be able to control and balance myself using the wakeboard in my next visit. And most importantly, I really have to conquer my pride.
Conquering the Wakeboard
In my second session, it really pained me to have always been attempting to conquer the wakeboard but with no success. I almost gave up and went back with kneeboard. Yet I've come to my senses that it was just my pride that has been shattered that caused the pain in me. So I kept to myself...I MUST GO ON... and during my 16th attempt , I just targeted to reach the center of the first twin obstacles .... Luck was with me...I've reached the point and I felt I could even make it farther so I tried going on farther and I reached the fourth pylon yet due to tiredness of my thighs and knees I didn’t make it between the buoys and I was not able to hold on with the quick and strong pull of the rope. I fell...but with a smile, with more determination to come back... and start all over again...
I did not give up. Something must happen. In my third session, I kept on falling from the board over and over again. It was so difficult to gain consistency. But after countless falls, aching nose, eyes and ears plus the volume of water that I have taken in, my effort paid off. I was able to make a round bending and squatting on the wakeboard...then another... I rested with big smile and with big hope seeing myself standing on a wakeboard going round and round the lake...the next time I come back.
Discipline and Momentum
My fourth session was aimed to keep more timing, balance and focus. This requires a lot of discipline in all aspects of my person. Finally, I made it! I've conquered the buoys and the pylons! I've made the rounds! What a great feeling!
In my 5th session I focused on standing while completing rounds. It was quite exciting. At first I still encountered several falls until such time that I gained momentum. I made it! I was able to stand on the slip on wakeboard while making rounds.
Truly, all efforts really pay off. This summer is a one-in-a-million experience!.I was able to climb two of the highest mountains in the country – Mt. Pandadagsaan, also known as the White Peak (8,876 feet), and Mt. Apo (10,311 feet), the highest peak in the Philippines. I am still going to climb Mt. Apo next year. I should not stop my summer pilgrimage to this majestic mountain while I can still make it .
And of course my new-found hobby has to be continuously honed. Now, that I’ve already gained momentum, I really have to find a regular schedule to harness my wakeboarding skill. I can’t wait for another summer to experience a spectacular sparkle in my life. My next target is to wear the binder and do some stunts in different platforms and obstacles intentionally placed in strategic points in the lake to make wakeboarding a real fun.
