Two "Dreams" Come True in Bora

When I was in the third grade, I had a skateboard. I was pretty good at it but, nothing close to great.

During my early adult years, I tried surfing once in Baler, Aurora. I couldn’t get up on the board. I couldn’t even get both feet up on the board without crashing back down in the ocean water. It was scary being up in the air with the water so far below. 

About two years ago, I discovered the existence of the skim board. I googled for information and pictures. And I thought, "I could do that." It didn’t seem too difficult. All you need is about half an inch of sea water and you surf on the sand itself and not out in the ocean, high above the waves. So I went out in search of a skim board at all the local mall-based sports shops. I couldn’t find any. Not even one. They sold wake boards, paddle boards, kayaks, skateboards, surf boards even. But no skim boards.

Last Thursday, July 26, I got to try it in Boracay. I didn’t expect to find any there. It surely was an absolutely pleasant surprise. I spent the morning kayaking and flyfish boating with my sister and cousin. We went skim boarding at around 4:30 in the afternoon.

 (My cousin Michelle and last-born sister Yayi in Boracay)

It was harder than I expected. I fell down several times, almost breaking my right arm once. I tumbled all over the sand as I stepped too far up front or too far behind the board. I didn’t realize until later that the board I was using might be the problem itself. It was only when I tried the board my sister Yayi was using that I discovered this. Her board was about two or three times lighter than the one I used. I had a more satisfying experience with that board. I was even able to skim up to about seven or eight feet! That’s a big accomplishment for me already since the most I got from my first board was a measly three or four feet!

 (My sister Yayi on a skim board in Boracay)

That was my first "dream come true" in Bora. To try and learn how to skim board. 

I still would like to buy one soon. Having second thoughts about it. I’m not sure where else would be a good beach to do it on. Probably in Baler, Aurora,. However, I haven’t been there in the past couple of years. So maybe I’ll just have to go out to Bora and rent one each time I feel the "urge" to skim board. 

My second "dream come true" in Bora was getting to play Frisbee again.

I’ve always loved it. Since I first laid my hands on it as a child. Like the skim board, I tried to find one at the sports shops here but was unsuccessful. The only one I found that even closely resembles it was at a children’s toy store. It was rather crude and too light to be thrown properly. I bought anyway since I was getting "desperate." However, I found no joy in throwing and catching it at all. It went everywhere except where I intended it to go.

(What my "Frisbee" looks like, except that mine is purple.) 

I saw people playing Frisbee at the University of the Philippines (UP) Sunken Garden in Diliman, Quezon City. I wanted to join them but, they were all good and I didn’t know what my standing was so I just watched them instead. Almost salivating from the desire to get my hands on the Frisbee and right smack in the middle of their game.

I took my purple Frisbee with me to Bora, intending to play catch with my sister and cousin. They both didn’t want to. I was living with my disappointment as best as I could but, seeing so many people in Bora playing Frisbee didn’t do me any good. I envied them. I could barely contain myself when I saw a group of men playing what looked to be Ultimate Frisbee. Of course, there was no way I would join them.

Walking back to our hotel, we passed by two women playing catch on the beach. This time, I couldn’t take it any longer. I handed my camera and goggles to my sister. They headed off to the hotel. I simply approached the two girls and asked them if I could join them. (So much for being shy!)

I played tentatively at first, unsure if I could still throw and catch properly. I surprised the girls. In fact, I surprised even myself. I was great! I caught about 97% of the passes thrown at me. Those which I didn’t catch were thrown too far off for me to catch or were thrown rather poorly. Out of all my throws, I only threw about three flimsy ones. The girls "praised" me for my "skills." That was rather flattering considering I haven’t played the real thing in years.

So now, I think I have the guts and courage to try joining the Sunday morning frisbee group at UP Diliman. They just might accept me after all.

I checked out the sports shops at the mall last Saturday night and found frisbees at almost every single one I went to. Wow! The game must really be picking up here. I’m planning on buying one soon. Just biding my time, researching on which model, brand, design, and price suits me best. It may look something like this: