By DYAN CASTILLEJO-GARCIA
with JACKIE CASTILLEJO

Windsurfers and kiteboarders dominated Bulabog Beach in the infamous island of Boracay when Sports Unlimited covered the 19th Boracay International Funboard Cup.

Over 92 participants flew in from all sides of the world to join in the prestigious event.

The Funboard Cup was formed when spouses Roby and Nenette Graf of Green Yard Beach Resort held a regatta at the Bulabog Beach back in 1989 to celebrate their anniversary.

Through this occasion, Boracay’s potential to become a major windsurfing destination was recognized. Four years after the event, participants from 13 different countries flew in to join in the fun.

What started out as a spur of the moment regatta has now become one of Asia's best windsurfing blasts!

In 2005, kite surfing was introduced as part of the Funboard Cup.

Using the Mambo format, kitesurfers were judged based on their skill, flair and safety.

In 2006, the kitesurfing format shifted to a more traditional elimination system with twin events— the hangtime event and the freestyle event.

In the Hangtime event, the kiteboarder who can stay up in the air the longest time and properly lands the kite on the ground, wins.

In the Freestyle event, the kiteboarder who will bust out the most impressive tricks and then lands the kite wins.

In the culture of windsurfing and kiteboarding, a friendly but fierce rivalry exists among windsurfers and kiteboarders.

Who can go faster with the wind has always been a contention.  At the Funboard Cup the record will be set straight.

The windsurfers claimed that the only way they could stop the kiteboarders from saying that they were faster on the water, was to settle it right there and then.

At the end of the race, the windsurfers proved their worth as they surfaced as winners.

This year’s Funboard Cup surely was a success with the wind generously showing its strength. The wind gods definitely pulled out all the stops. The participants were ecstatic and felt that they were in some kind of a wind heaven.

With proof that winds here at Bulabog Beach can reach 30 knots, the organizers of this event are well on their way to achieving their overall goal, which is to continue the promotion of Boracay as a major wind sport destination in Asia.

My partner Marc is nuts about kiteboarding! He grabs any chance he can get to come to Boracay and kite surf.

Before the Funboard Cup officially opened, Marc consistently practiced and sought for tutoring from some experienced kiteboarders. He was definitely set on honing his kiteboarding skills and honestly, he’s getting good at it.

The event was made even more exciting when a kiteboarder with a Spiderman costume appeared at the beachfront. Everyone had a bewildered look on their faces. What a treat! A bit early for this year’s Halloween though.

Also early for Halloween was a Ninja kiteboarder, a doctor, a sexy policewoman and a garbage woman!

Kiteboarding in costumes was a wacky idea but was a sure hit! If this is not a recipe for fun, we don't know what is!

A kiteboarder once said that in order to be good at this sport, one must have a serious passion for it. He or she must consistently practice and must have a little craziness and guts.

Boracay has been hosting the Philippine leg as part of the Asian Windsurfing tour for 19 years! Olympic Champions, Asian Games and national champions have all competed in the Boracay Funboard Cup.

Notable windsurfing personalities at this Funboard Cup include German Paz from Anilao, Batangas, a gold medalist at the 2005 SEA Games; Vingo Moreno also from Anilao, the silver medalist at the 2005 SEA Games; and Dan Ellis, the number 1 windsurfer in the UK and the number 10 slalom windsurfing professional in the world!

Another big participants were Manny Cabili, the top amateur windsurfer in the Philippines (31 to 40 years old); George Gesner, top amateur windsurfer in the Philippines (50 years and up); and Nanette Graf, top lady windsurfer in the Philippines and Asia's fastest windsurfer for five years straight!

Although the standard of competition is high, the Boracay Funboard Cup preserves a friendly atmosphere where intermediate windsurfers are warmly welcomed!

Robin, Duki, Ken and Mino were among the men in the kiteboarding freestyle event semi-finals!
Robin is a 17-year old British kiteboarder. He is went up against Duki, a Pinoy kiteboarding instructor on the island, who happened to be one of his good friends.

The other semi-finalists who were up against each other were Filipinos Ken and Mino, both are kiteboarding instructors on the island.

Robin beat out Duki while Ken got through Mino.

Robin faced Ken in the freestyle kiteboarding finals.

The eight-days of The Boracay International Funboard Cup were actually a collection of several sub-events. There were the slalom races where windsurfers sailed from a starting line about 200 meters offshore then turn around five buoys before a dramatic full-speed blast to the finish line.

The winner of the slalom was crowned by the Boracay windsurfing champion!

There was also the Speed Trail event, which was a set in an adjacent lagoon. Sailors blasted in full-speed down a 200 meter course, monitored by a speed gun.

The kiteboarding exhibition was the newest addition to the line-up of the Boracay Funboard Cup. Kiteboarders from around the world showed off their stuff and wowed the crowds that came to Bulabog Beach.

Other objectives of The Funboard Cup were to increase the camaraderie between windsurfers and kiteboarders of different nationalities through a friendly organized competition and also to establish this event as the best international boardsailing blast in Asia.

The most important objective was to promote environmental awareness to keep Boracay pollution-free and a haven for international sporting competitions.

The International Funboard Cup is not just about windsurfing and kiteboarding. It is equally famous for its amazing parties right after the sun goes down. Parties are happening every night all over the island.
We had a lot of fun at the Funboard Cup!

Windsurfing and kiteboardng are lifestyle sports. Yes, winning is important but the destination, the fun and the camaraderie are all essential ingredients. That's why majority of the participants of The Boracay International Funboard Cup come back year after year!

To the winners, congratulations! And to the organizers, you all did a heck of a great job!

To all the windsurfers and kiteboarders watchin, if you feel you are not good enough to participate, do not to worry! All skill levels are welcomed to the Cup! And you are sure to find an event to suit your skills. So be sure to join the fun next year!