Camarines Sur

CAMARINES SUR is now home to the first world-class watersports complex in Asia. Located within the Provincial Capitol Complex, just outside Naga City, the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) has just about everything any wakeboarder and wakeskater could ever want. The concept of cable ski parks, which started in Florida, USA, have led to the popularity of extreme watersports all over the world.

This six-hectare complex, with its 6-point cable ski system has been drawing riders from Europe, Australia and the US since it opened last summer. CWC is a unique watersports park designed for beginners who just want to try the sport for recreation, to the professional wakeboarders and skiers, or even for die-hard enthusiasts.

At 700 meters long, the cable lake has plenty of room to execute any and every air or obstacle trick imaginable on perfectly smooth water, thanks to the island built in the middle of the lake, as well as the smooth sandy beaches surrounding it.

Probably the most beneficial aspect of the park is the immense amount of time one can spend in the water. The cableways allow for unlimited riding time to improve the foundation skills for wakeboarding, wakeskating and skiing. And because of good weather conditions, cable skiing in the park can be done all year round.

CWC is the brainchild of Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte, who is a big fan of wakeboarding and its worldwide growth potential. For this project, he worked with the Philippine Waterski and Wakeboard Federation (PWWF), with Catanduanes Governor Lee Verceles and sportsman JV Borromeo.

Cable skiing as its name implies, is water skiing where the skier is not pulled by a boat but by an overhead cable suspended 8 to 12 meters above water surface by specifically designed pylons. The cable travels continuously and the skiers are, very simply, hooked up to the cable to move. The cables run counter clockwise around the man-made lake powered by a variable speed electric motor, which can maintain speeds between 20 to 65 kph.

Beginners can use the basic equipment for wakeboarding, waterskiing and kneeboarding for free. There is also free basic and safety instruction by CWC’s resident instructors and operators. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Prices range from R125 per hour or R970 for whole day and night rate.

More than just a sports facility, cable parks have grown as lifestyle or recreation areas for both enthusiasts and spectators. Besides the ramps and obstacles, the park also has a beach volleyball area and a swimming pool for those who would like to take a break from the boards but still want to keep bathing under the sun.

A Clubhouse is built for the guests’ dining area and for live entertainment. Guests can also enjoy a round of billiards, darts and foosball or experience traditional massage therapies at the park’s Spa Pavilions.

Accommodations within walking distance from the CWC are readily available for anyone that wishes to stay for a weekend or even a week-long getaway. The Ecovillage, The Mansion Suites and the soon to open luxury villas and suites also located within the Provincial Capitol Complex are all a stone’s throw away from the cable park and may be booked for very reasonable prices. The rooms are spacious and equipped with cable TV, airconditioning and hot/cold showers. Restaurants, guest lounges, swimming pools and Wi-Fi capability are also available in any of these areas for guests to enjoy. The CWC may also be booked for corporate events or any other special occasion.

Likewise, riders have plenty of off-site activities available when they are ready to take a break from the cable. Visitors can hike to waterfalls, ride helicopters over Mayon Volcano, spend some time dolphin and whale watching, visit stunningly beautiful beaches, explore caves and even ride a water buffalo.

There is a bird sanctuary located nearby, with birds indigenous to the Philippines such as Rufous Hornbill (Great Philippine Hornbill), and a rehabilitation center for other native species of waterfowl.

The province is situated in the southeastern part of Luzon. From Asia, Europe or US, fly to Manila and take a 35-minute domestic flight via Philippine Airlines to Naga Airport. Or if you’re up for a roadtrip, airconditioned and ordinary buses ply the 8-hour route daily to and from Manila.