Tanauan: Philippines skimboarding capital

Tacloban City (August 14) –- In an effort to be aligned with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s vision for Central Philippines Mega Region to become the Tourism Capital of the Philippines, the local government of Tanauan is taking big steps to deserve the title – skimboarding capital of the Philippines.

Yes, Tanauan would like to be remembered, not only as the town of intellectuals as it has always been known, not only as the town where Skimboarding started. Nowadays, it is working hard to prove that it is the Skimboarding Capital of the Philippines.

Today, another regionwide Skimboarding Competition is being held in Tanauan in connection with the Town Fiesta on August 15 to honor the town’s Patroness, Our Lady of Assumption. About 48 participants from all over the Region joined the competition which was supported by no less than Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, Congresswoman of the first district of Leyte Remedios Petilla and this year’s hermana mayor Mrs. Mimi Aniban Maderazo and her family.

Today’s Skimboarding competition was well-attended by balikbayans from the United States, from Manila and by visitors coming from the different parts of the Region.

Tanauan has hosted two National Skimboarding Competitions in 2005 and 2006. Because of the success of the activity last April, Tanauan is now embarking on hosting the first International Skimboarding Competition next year. This early, the local government unit already has the support of the Skim Asia Federation and the Philippine Skimboarding Federation.

Two manufacturers of skimboards and skimboarding paraphernalia from Malaysia and Australia have also expressed their support not only in bringing in skimboarders from their countries but to bring in their products so that the Filipinos will know the latest trends in skimboarding equipment.

Tanauan has hosted Skimboarding Clinics with the support of the Congresswoman of the First District of Leyte, in order to make more people know about a watersports called skimboarding.

As Mayor Roque Tiu said, who would ever think that the watersports which was taught by a guy from California who was wooing a Tanauan lass, would become a major sport in Tanauan? Surely, Big steps come from small steps. Mayor Tiu said the town has made small steps and it is determined to take bigger steps to make Tanauan the Skimboarding Capital of the Philippines.