Sailing champ sees promise in Iloilo   

For its calm waters and pristine beaches, Iloilo could be the perfect site to train sailors that could compete in the international competitions like the Olympics, according to a retired Philippine Sailing Team (PST) member.

Nestor Soriano, a former Olympian, said he and other members of the Philippine Inter-Island Sailing Foundation or Phinsaf is eyeing to put up a sailing school in Iloilo to train future national athletes.

Soriano, in an interview during the sidelines of the Anhawan Regatta International and the 14th Philippine Hobie Nationals competition in Oton said Iloilo is a good training ground for future sailing Olympians.

He said a sailing school in Anhawan, if pushes throuth, can help encourage kids, aged six to seven to start sailing.

For those who want to try the sport, Soriano advised to always put on safety first.

“In sports like Hobie, they should learn the basic on safety, they should at least master six kinds of knots and basic sailing techniques,” he said.

Meanwhile, for Ridgely Balladares, the champion during last year’s Hobie nationals, it is the passion that keeps them going.

Originally from Leyte, the 36-year old sailor and his family decided to relocate in Metro Manila so he could train efficiently.

Since 1993, he shared that he already represented the country in various competitions abroad, some were held in India, Portugal, India, Australia and other Asian cities.

‘PRICELESS’

For a boat that is worth P500,000, Rex Puentespina, chairman, Phinsaf, said not everybody could sail a Hobie.

But for Hobie sailors like him, Puentespina said it is not about the prize that they are after for, but for the love of the sport.

No high monetary prices, you just have that bragging right, he quipped.

Compared to Iloilo’s Paraw, Hobie boat is smaller in size and has no outrigger.*