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Visit the Nasugbu, Batangas page for all information on Nasugbu.
Nasugbu is one of the most frequented destinations for beach bums. Aside from the typical swim-all-day and bask-under-the-sun-for-a-golden-tan weekend, there is an assortment of things one can do to enjoy the fine-looking coastline of Nasugbu.
You can have a short trek on the Twin Islands, go diving and snorkelling on Fortune Island or simply get pleasure from the shores of Natipuan and Tali Beach.
Want to try something that’s both challenging and exciting? Go skimboarding.
Wiki says “skimboarding (or skimming) is a boardsport in which a skimboard (a smaller counterpart to a surfboard without fins) is used to glide across the water’s surface. Unlike surfing, skimboarding begins on the beach by dropping the board onto the thin wash of previous waves. Skimboarders use their momentum to skim out to breaking waves, which they then catch back into shore in a manner similar to surfing”.
Skimboarding became a popular activity on the shores of Nasugbu where the waves are considered perfect for the boardsport. If you’ve been wanting to learn how to surf but scared of being engulfed by big waves, then you can try skimming instead. Oops, don’t belittle the adrenaline rush you can benefit from skimboarding. This may appear too easy to do. Well, akala mo lang yun.
A few years back, I learned about skimboarding through a travel and leisure TV show. Then I got hooked with the idea that the boardsport is really something worth trying. And so last year, I got my basic skimboarding lessons from an elementary school boy. Haha.
It was the eve of my birthday. My friends and I were in Boracay to celebrate that special day and I was so determined to learn the sport since I know that it is quite popular in the island (which by the World’s Best Island for 2012 of international magazine, Travel + Leisure). Earlier that day, I saw a young native who was walking by the beach carrying a skimboard. I ask if he can teach me but he said I have to pay him. Okay, fine.
But we were off to do helmet diving that morning so I asked if I can meet him on that same area again later in the afternoon. He agreed and I was so giddy for the afternoon to come. It was around 5pm when I saw Junior again (I forgot how old he is but I know he’s still a grader at that time) carrying a makeshift skimboard (just completely flat wooden board without the grip).
Usual rate for renting a skimboard is P150 per hour and that includes basic tutorial. Because I was a novice, Junior thought me the “run, drop, slide” method also known as the “sideslipping” method. I had to learn to skim first on the thinnest part of the receding water pero hello, akala ko madali lang! Akala ko simpleng pag-slide lang pero hindi lang basta ganun.
Because what we used was a makeshift skimboard, hindi ko naisip na ang bigat nya at nakakangalay kada tapon! Junior was the one dropping the skimboard while I run then ride onto the board to make it slide just in time for the waves to totally break out. Eh isang oras kong nirentahan yung board and most of the time, yung bata yung taga tapon ng board.
Kaya lang parang medyo na-restrict ang skimboarding for a time sa Boracay. Not sure of whatever reason pero hindi naman kami hinuli ng Boracay rangers. Haha.
After having my basic learning of skimboarding, sabi ko sa sarili ko I will not stop pursuing it. Bukod sa may panibago akong sport na natutunan, it is also a worthwhile and fun hobby to enjoy with your favorite people.
I was even more elated when I learned that I don’t need to fly to Boracay when I can actually do skimboarding here in Batangas. Parang sa Lemery nga din may mga dumadayong skimboarders. But I have to invest first on a good skimboard para hindi na ko rerenta palagi. Soon!
During summer, an annual Nasugbu Skimfest Competition is being held in town. The event gathers skimboarders from different parts of Luzon where the winners get to compete for the national level.
The waves of Nasugbu and the welcoming town folks are two reasons why skimboarding enthusiasts always have the best time in the Western tip of Batangas.
Skimboarding? It’s more fun in Nasugbu, Batangas!
1st Photo: alky-holic.deviantart.com
2nd Photo: jakesonflorido.info
Last Updated: September 16, 2013
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