Paragliding Accuracy World Cup: PH skies open 2015 with World Cup of PG Accuracy

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Manila, Philippines – Have you seen a sky filled with colorful chutes and pilots gliding on it ? 

Paragliding Philippines Federation, the Municipality of Maasim and the Provincial Sarangani Office, with the Department of Tourism, The City of General Santos and Air Sports Adventure Philippines(ASAP) embark on a historical collaboration to present one of the most spectacular sporting events that the country has ever seen: the Paragliding Accuracy World Cup.

You can enjoy watching this international sports event and meet international paragliding pilots competing in this Paragliding Accuracy Competition.

Set for March 27-29, 2015, Sarangani Province shall land in air adventure sports history, to be the country's first venue of the Paragliding Accuracy World Cup (PGAWC). Gravity•Zero: PGAWC 2015 Series, is the Philippines’ bid to take on the world of Paragliding in accuracy discipline, as it opens the year’s PGAWC Tour.

According to technical lead and ASAP President Buko Raymundo, the PGAWC ideally gathers 26 countries during the 6-leg series with about 90 potential competitors vying for the gold. “We initially targeted 60 pilots for the competition. At the moment, the number of registered pilots is at 65 and still building up so it is a very good start for our first world cup."

PGAWC will have one of its legs in the Philippines and specifically in Sarangani Province. Safi Ranch in Maasim, Sarangani boasts to have one of the best scenic paragliding spots in the world.

Expected to come are competitors from atleast 15 countries with an expected 60 paragliders from all over the world. The date is set on March 27-29, 2015 and the PGAWC is one of the events enrolled in the Visit Philippines 2015 campaign of the Department of Tourism.

Known for its majestic view of the Sarangani Bay and 300 days flyable weather conditions, the Safi Paragliding Site in Maasim, is bound to cement the reputation of the 12th Paradise as home to international paragliding pilots. “We have returning pilots from last year’s International Paragliding Accuracy Championship, and for us, that is a sure indication that Sarangani Province is a perfect venue for the sport.“

Japanese veteran Yoshiki Oka, the world’s oldest competing pilot and ranked 2nd in August is coming back for the PGAWC challenge. Elise Manueke of Indonesia, currently 8th in the world ranking, and who earned 3rd place in IPAC will again take on the skies of the country’s 12th Paradise. David Graupera of Spain, ranked 5th at the last event in Sarangani Province is also getting ready to compete. 

“The most interesting thing about accuracy paragliding discipline is that it looks easy, but it is highly technical. The center of the target is about as big as a 5peso coin and because the sport is highly dependent on wind conditions, terrain, skill and mental attitude of the pilot, the results are very unpredictable.”

Sanctioned by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), pilots at Gravity•Zero will be judged by the most exacting technical delegates of the PGAWC Team, from Europe and Asia. “In paragliding accuracy discipline, there are no gray areas. Everyone will see that there can be no other way that a pilot will get the perfect score but to fly perfectly and land perfectly on the target. It is really all about the flight,” added Raymundo.

Paragliding Philippines Federation (PGP) Secretary General, Dennis Baltazar added that the pilots of the Philippines have been preparing themselves, honing their skills in the sport for 3 months. “Our pilot-athletes have had certification and progression trainings with ASAP and Sarangani Paraglide as early as November. Different teams have had their sessions at the Safi Fly-site as well to get a feel of the conditions of Sarangani leading to Day Zero. The preparations have been challenging and at the same time really exciting. We’re crossing our fingers that our efforts will all pay off in the end.”

Gravity•Zero is sponsored by Safi Agro, SM, Globe Pioneer Insurance, Tribu and Headware. The event is made possible with official media partners Philippine Bloggers Network (PBNet), Business World, official tour partners WGATA, and official hotel partners Sydney Hotel, 3G Garden Hotel and Sarangani Highlands.

Philippines hosts the 1st International Paragliding Accuracy Championship #IPACPH2014

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Philippines takes on a new challenge this year as hosting the 1st International Paragliding Accuracy Championship (IPAC 2014). 

Air Sports Adventure Philippines (ASAP) sets in motion the history of Philippine aerial sports with the the 1st IPAC event. Paragliding pilots representing more than 11 counties around the globe will be flying down to Sitio Seguil, Bgy Tinoto, Maasim in Sarangani Province on August 22-24, 2014.

“There are a lot of paragliding competitions abroad, and with our local pilots doubling in number since we began promoting the sport in the country, we believe it is the perfect time that the Philippines staged its own," ASAP President Buko Raymundo said in a statement send to media partner, PBNet. 

The Sarangani with its finest, giving competing pilots the best of its 300-day flying season this August which will as well highlight the most majestic bay south of the Archipelago. Accredited by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, the competition has been sanctioned a pre-world status, and opens doors to exciting possibilities for Philippine Air Sports.

Raymundo, dubbed as ‘The Chief of Paragliding in South East Asia’ for taking home the gold medal in accuracy paragliding at the 2011 South East Asian (SEA) Games held in Jakarta Indonesia. 

“For many Filipinos to learn this great sport - for them to feel, relax and experience the elements of nature while free flying through safety paragliding; for outdoors adventure seekers and airs ports athletes to recognize the beauty of our country - that is our humble mission,” Raymundo said.

“We would like to elevate the country’s position as one of Asia’s top air sports destinations while featuring the future of paragliding in the Philippines,” Raymundo continued.

Outdoors enthusiasts, in recognizing the popularity of safety paragliding and tandem paragliding as leisure and recreational activities, see opportunities in promoting Philippine Culture, Tourism and Trade. 

With opening day festivities arranged for August 21, 2014 by the DOT-12, it will stage a line-up of spectacles and activities, in cooperation with the City Government of General Santos and the Provincial Sarangani Office. 

Kicking off the phenomenal affair will be a motorcade with international paragliders and a meet-and-greet with the winners of Ms. Earth Philippines. Outdoors accuracy and nature adventure sports can also be experienced at the site during the 4-day event.

A trade fair will also exhibit the best offerings in food, gear, apparel, and Filipino-made products.

As preparations for this historic happening take off, ASAP continues to work with, and for the benefit of the SOCCSKSARGEN Paragliding Club, to gather support from different sectors meaning to promote Filipino excellence in sports. 

With the participation of private companies, advocacy and local groups, IPAC 2014 will launch the Safi Fly-site as one of the destinations of DOT’s 12th Paradise, clearly signaling the promise to a claim -- that Paragliding can truly be more fun in the Philippines.

Ron Villagonzalo of Wahpinas.com announced recently that Philippine Bloggers Network (PBNet) is officially the online media partner of the event.

For more information on how to get involved at the IPAC 2014, and for publicity inquiries and requests, contact TuklasSining™ Creative Services and Communications Group at 0918-4248494 or 0926-6483076, or email tuklassining@hotmail.com.

Photos: Philippine Travel Blog and Philippine Bloggers Network.