The Paoay Lake, which has been proclaimed by the Philippine Rowing Association last year “as one of the three official rowing sites in the country” together with the “La Mesa Dam and the Pasig River,” is now established as a part of the regatta circuit in Asia.
“Paoay Lake is now on the map [of international rowing events]and is already a part of the regatta circuit in Asia,” Gov. Imee R. Marcos noted during a press conference. The Asian regatta circuit comprises of different popular countries in the Asian region, like Hong kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, that organize various regatta competitions participated by delegates across the world. Meanwhile, the Ilocos Norte Sports Development Office revealed that the Paoay Boat Club, the first-ever group dedicated to rowing in Ilocos Norte, competed in this year’s competition, which was set last October 30 to November 1.
“The Paoay Boat Club, who has members from the Mariano Marcos State University and Northwestern University, will race against the Manila Boat Club and rowers from Asia, Australia and the United Kingdom.”
Delegates of the previous regatta events in Paoay Lake included the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, one of the oldest and most prestigious boat clubs in the world.
Marcos added that international participants are delighted with the location of the Paoay Lake because of its convenient distance from the Laoag International Airport.
“In Malaysia and the rest of the Asean countries that host rowing events, delegates have to travel for at least four hours on a rough road before reaching the rowing site,” she noted.
The majestic Paoay Lake, which spans a 387-hectare body of water a few kilometers south of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, is also a host to diverse biodiversity and some migratory birds, including the Great Cormorants.
Since 2012 Marcos developed the Paoay Lake as one of the leading attractions in Ilocos Norte’s provincial tourism campaign, “Paoay Kumakaway!”
The Paoay International Regatta 2015 is organized by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte together with the Manila Boat Club. For more information, check out www.tourismilocosnorte.com or www.paoayregatta.com.