May2016
Smile
67
KAYAKING
IN EL NIDO,
PALAWAN
STANDUP
PADDLEBOARDING
IN BATANGAS
TheshelteredwatersofBacuitBayoff theseasidePalawan
townofElNidoofferperfectkayakingconditions for
paddlingenthusiasts.Whereveryou turn, you’ll glimpse
dazzlingblue-and-whitebeaches, soaringcliffwallsand
thewideexpanseof thesea, free fromboatenginesand
peskycrowds, as ifyouhaveElNidoall toyourself. In
calmconditions, kayakerscanhop from island to island,
marvel at thealien-lookingkarst juttingoutof thesea,
anddip into themanycavesand lagoonscarvedoutof
thecliffsbymillionsofyearsofnatural erosion. Stable
seakayakscanberented fromanumberofproviders
aroundElNido; inexcellentkayakingconditions, paddlers
canspendawholedaypicking theirwayaround the20-
odd islands inBacuitBay, fromCadlao Islandand its
eponymous lagoon to thebigandsmall lagoonsonMiniloc.
elnidoboutiqueandartcafe.com/island.html
Standuppaddleboardingenjoysa tamerreputation than its
sporting forebears.Youdon’tneed tobeasfitasaseakayaker,
orassteadyasasurfer, butyou’ll still enjoy the fullbenefitsof
thesewatersports—SUPprovidesagreatworkout foryour leg,
arms, backandcoremuscles, aswell asa funway tosoakup
theseabreeze. Ifyoucankeepyourbalancewhilestandingand
paddlingonabroadboard, thenyou’regood togo.
Justa fewhours’ drive fromManila,Anilaoprovidescalm
waters forSUPenthusiasts,whocanpaddlearound the
protectedbaywithoutbeingoverwhelmedbybreakers. It’seasy
to feel atonewith theelementsonapaddleboardasyouenjoy
full immersion in thesun,water,windandscenery. In fact, the
biggestdanger isenjoying thesport toomuch—resulting in
paddlingso faraway thatyoucan’tberescued!
For lessonsby
certified instructors, callSUPCentral, tel: +639178911968.
PHOTOSBY
ELNIDOBOUTIQUE&CAFEANDALLINSANGAN III
(ELNIDO),
RAPHAELKAUFMANNOFFOOLMOONPHILIPPINES
(BATANGAS)
Water, please
