Skimboarding in Catanduanes Island, Philippines

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I spent a 4-day vacation in Catanduanes Island. On the third day, we went to Mamangal Beach to enjoy skimboarding. My co-workers and I are trying this water sport for the first time so we were very excited.

Skimboarding in the Philippines started in 2000. American tourist Tim Garret taught the first four skimboardists namely Dodot Primer, Lennart Encina, Byvan Maceda, and Darwin Maceda. Soon after, skimboarding has evolved from a recreational activity to a competitive sport.
Skimboarding 101

I was wearing my navy blue floral printed Sassa Tankini with matching boyleg and my Sassa board shorts.

• You need to have a skimboard–a board similar to a surfboard but relatively smaller.
• Watch out for wardrobe malfunction! Put on a swimwear that would allow you to run and glide comfortably. A rash guard, or tankini with boyleg or board shorts would do. I recommend Sassa swim wear. They have flattering cuts and pretty designs. They’re affordable too.
• Be prepared to run and fall.  I fell a lot of times while trying to glide on a skimboard so I know how much it hurts.
• Not all beaches are good skimboarding spots. Flat beaches allow longer distance skimming so they are great for skimboarding. The following are some of the famous skimboarding spots in the Philippines:

1. Mamangal Beach Catanduanes Island (of course!)
2. Tanauan, Leyte
3. Tacloban City
4. Borongan Eastern Samar
5. Mati, Davao Oriental

Skimboarding was so much fun I’m definitely going to try it again. I heard Anawangin Cove in Zambales is also a skimboarding spot so maybe I will go there to practice more.

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