Skimboarding set in Capitol beach area from April 26 - May 2

Lingayen --- Skimboarding may become a regular activity at the Capitol beachfront area with the launching of this sport on April 26, Saturday, 3PM as part of the month-long Pangasinan Pistay Dayat celebration.

Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino (2nd from Right) and Alaminos City Mayor Art Celeste (Extreme Right) .

            Revelers to the annual summer festivity will be treated to a series of skim-boarding clinics and exhibitions by the Pangasinan Skimboarding Community scheduled from April 26 to May 2 from 7-10AM and 2-5PM.

“Skimboarding will be introduced in Lingayen as another water sports activity to stir up the interest of sports-minded Pangasinenses to try this relatively new sport,” Officer-in-Charge of Provincial Population Office Ellsworth Gonzales said.

Gonzales said the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. sees skimboarding as a watersports activity that could attract more tourists to visit the Capitol beachfront.

Skimboarding is  like surfing but a smaller board without fins is used. This sport is usually played in shallow waters with small waves. Anyone who would want to try this activity will ride on a skim board, meet an incoming breaking wave and glide across the water surface then catch back to the shore in a manner similar to surfing.

            A Skimboarding community based in Dagupan City introduced this kind of sporting activity in the province and its members are willing to teach anyone who would like to try this sport, Gonzales said.

            Skimboarding is open to all; however, children below 15 years old should be accompanied by an adult/guardian who will sign a consent/waiver form on the child’s behalf. Forms will be provided upon registration at the event site.

            Participants are advised to wear proper beach attire (shorts and shirt of any fabric except maong) and additional safety gears (goggles, elbow and knee guards, etc.)

            Slots will be limited per clinic on a “first come, first served” rule. The organizers will provide skimboards during the clinic.

            The organizers reserve the right to deny an individual from participating in the clinic if he/she is unable to comply with the guidelines.

            Gonzales said personnel from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) are tasked to assure that each participant is physically fit for the activity and health concerns will be given proper attention.

              The Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) team of Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Coordinating Office (PDRRMO), on the other hand, will oversee safety and security of the participants in the beach area.