Competition during the return of Anilo Windsurf Regata in Mabini, Batangas on 22-23 March. -Rell Taxon/Inquerr.Net
Mabini, Batangas-Anilao Windsurf Regatta made a long-awaited return to Mabini, Batangas on 22-23 March, which ended a five-year gap due to the Kovid-19 epidemic.
Organized at Saltitud Dive and Beach Resort, the event attracted 51 participants, who competed in 20 races over the weekend.
This year’s lineup included members of the National Windsurfing Team, Mabini’s Grassroots Training Program budding athletes and 11 to 72 years of recreational windsurfers. Spread over 11 categories, a diverse mixture of sailors was a will for the appeal of sports in various age groups.
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2025 Reta Organizing Committee chief Anna Marco said, “The beauty of Windsurfing is that it is a game that you can enjoy at any age.” “I myself am in my fifties. We have children who start as five or six years old, and many windsurfers who are still well active in their senior years.”
Anilao Windsurf Regata began in 1999 as a way of bringing the local Windsurfing community together, promoting favorable competition and providing experience in real racing scenarios.
Marco said, “Many windsurfers – even in the national team – did not get a chance to run internationally.” “So it is our goal to give everyone a racing experience in a local, easily accessible environment.”
Regata’s day began with three heat for a children and novice categories. When the wind arose, two heat was followed for A, B, C, Open and Senior Class sailors. While the awards are won in the category, the practice is for many classes to get out of water simultaneously so that the prevailing winds can benefit.
Richard Harrow, former member of the Philippine team, said, “Racing is completely different from windsurfing for fun.” “This is more crowd than normal. You can hit each other. If you lose the balance, your sail may fall on someone else … so you can’t just think about yourself; you will also think about the sailors around you.”
Competition during the return of Anilo Windsurf Regata in Mabini, Batangas on 22-23 March. -Rell Taxon/Inquerr.Net
While the medium winds on Saturday allowed some races to move forward, the Philippine team’s much -awaited wing foil race had to be postponed as they required more air to get efficient takeoffs and lifts.
Wing flying is a relatively new water game that has developed from kitterfing, windsurfing and surfing. A boatman standing on a board places on an inflatable wing, which generates both up and horizontal force to push the board crossing the water. A foil board, which removes water, withstands low friction and, when combined with air -powered wing, allows the racer to move into water on amazing velocities.
Read: Windsurfing competition makes waves in Batangus
With the air dying from mid -Saturday to Saturday, the race was closed in favor of fellowships and Sunset Socials. “This is just the nature of the game,” the race commentator Atien Verzola explained. “We depend on the wind, and the air does not always cooperate. But tomorrow is always.”
For the relief of all, on Sunday, despite predicting the forecast, raced winds brought. The race with novice, children and class C male categories began as usual, complete six heat in total. Along with strengthening the mid-end of the wind, even wing foil was able to complete one and four races with sailors A, B, C, Open and senior classes. A, B, C, Open, and Wing reduces one and two heat afternoon race for foil.
Class C men, all ground level members participated in the most race – a total of 11- Race Director German Paz was added training, which also serves as the head coach of Mabini’s Grassroots program.
Mabini’s municipality, where Anilo is located, has long been recognized as a center for windsurfing in the Philippines. It is the home base of the National Windsurfing Team, whose members are chosen among the most promising athletes in the ground level program.
Rowl Lajo, head coach of the Philippine Windsurfing Association, proudly spoke about the achievements of the national team in regional competitions, including a praise from the Senate for his performance in the 30th South East Asian (SEA) Games. In February this, the team gave an impressive performance at the 44th Singapore Open Windsurfing, Wing and Wing Fling Championship 2025, leading to 11 medals in various categories.
While Lajo admitted that qualifying for Olympic windsurfing has become difficult for years, he did not reject the possibility of an Olympic dream.
The award ceremony on Sunday afternoon was full of high expectations for future windsurfing victory. As the sails and boards were kept away, the score-table, blistering palms were tilted, and smiling awards, sun-brothers winners, organizers thanked many people and organizations, who made it possible to make a long-awaited return of Regata.
Metro Pacific Investments, Tullah, Arthland, Ocean Flavor, Frabel Foods, Tropical Fresh, Cafe O, Max International, Inquireor.Net, Namper Dive and Beach Resort, Mabini Tourism, Janao Windsorpin and Philippine Tourism, Janao Watsports, Janao Watsports, Janao Watsports, Janao Windsorpin The Windsurfing Association included.
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2025 Anilo Windsurf Regata represented more than the return of a friendly competition. It marked a collective refocus on a favorite game, confirming the community’s commitment to windsurfing and its continuous increase. With more young athletes involved in experienced sailors on the waters of Anilao, the future of windsurfing in the Philippines looks bright.
