From The Editor’s Desk

The uptake of this magazine has been quite astonishing. For example: we delivered ten copies to each of the embassies in Manila and they immediately asked for twenty more; and, when we delivered to water sports outlets in Boracay, Puerto Galera and Davao the first reaction was, “Wow! Finally something for our sport!”

This buzz tells me that as we approach 2011, water sports equipment sales activity is poised to balloon. Finally, it seems, the Philippines has discovered the water and is lapping it up. Whether it is new luxury power boats & sail boats, kiteboarding equipment, kayaks or wetsuits, the sales have steadily increased throughout 2010. The interpretation must be that financing new water sports facilities and infrastructure is a good bet for both local and foreign investors.

In the March edition will will highlight next April’s Sea–Expo / Philippine Boat Show. Mark your diaries now for 1st – 3rd April, and prepare for the best water sports lifestyle event on the planet.

In this issue we give you a review of the Philippines’ largest sailing event – the Puerto Galera All Souls Regatta. We take a hike to Boracay and discover that even in established tourist areas there are new, high–level action adventures, and even hero’s to be unmasked. Bruce takes us on a flying lap around the Camsur Watersports Complex. While Mario introduces the newest sailing challenge in Subic Bay. But to start, as a teaser for the March issue, an introduction to scuba diving Samal Island – in March we will expose all water sports in Davao and the Gulf.

One thing highlighted during our travels, is the very different way that the Environmental Usage Fee (“EUF”) is being applied. The EUF is laudable. The usually modest fee charged per person places funds directly with the municipality, where it is intended for use for sustainable tourism infrastructure development.

Puerto Galera and Boracay have different EUF charges but each is nevertheless a fixed fee, charged at the point of entry. By contrast, visitors to Samal Island suffer a pay–as–you–use EUF – there is an entry fee then a swimming fee, a scuba diving fee, a photography fee etc. etc. and to police the system a municipal employee is to be stationed at every resort and tourist location. The concept of paying for everything you use, at rates that mean you would probably choose not to use, seems completely counterproductive to the purpose of tourism development, which is why most resorts are protesting. We will have more on this in a future issue, after we have undertaken some erudite investigation.

In the meantime, enjoy the festive season, the New Year and the journey ahead into 2011.