25/03/2026
The Leg series for 2026 under the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) has begun! It was held at the BaĂąadero Baywalk, Tanauan, Batangas, and was participated in by over 25 club teams, totaling 1,200 paddlers. Hereâs the rundown of the highlights during the race per category:
Womenâs Small Boat - Packed with oozing confidence, wit and sassiness, they didnât just deliver - they worked the crowd with charm while competing. But despite all the enthusiasm, the overall result showed that our Ampphi babes needed to pour in more time to train and develop camaraderie amongst the womenâs crew. Qualifying for semifinals is a sign that a podium finish is possible this year.
Senior Open Small Boat - Last CNY 2026 race was a blast, and gold isnât out of reach for our dear angkolâs. Train with confidence, especially with the steers in charge. The whole team is expecting more podiums in our dear angkolâs category.
Mixed Standard - Ampphi made a refreshing comeback with a duo of young and fresh blood first-timers, pacing from the last kick to Bomba expert, leading the pack of a combination of 10 open crew and 10 womenâs crew. They bagged the semifinalist spot amongst 25 club crews. We want to see this category soar high and prove theyâll be the groupâs focus.
Open Standard - The definition of strength and might of the whole club team category. Itâs the most awaited heat of all categories. Any club team in the top 4 or the finalist deserved that bow. Ampphi boys ended up semifinalists, 6th out of 16 club teams that qualified for semis. With a .47 millisecond difference from the host club team, TANA1 boys.
Results:
- Philippine Coast Guard: 48.10
- PNP Maritime Group: 48:54
- BJMP Metal Dragons: 49:88
- Seahawks Ph A: 50:03
- Sag1 Tanauan: 50:15
- Ampphi: 50:67
U24 small boat - A unique category allowing only 24-year-olds and below, with specific all-male paddlers competing. Gathering U24 paddlers is challenging for any club team, as most are still studying and financially dependent on their families. Ampphi U24, often tagged as student-athletes, bounced back with a 1st runner-up finish overall - based on one heat and rank 2nd Amongst 8 U24 cub team.
The Senior Mixed Small Boat, composed of 5 formidable gentlemen and 5 competitive women from Amateur Paddlers Philippines, had the most dramatic final heat. Guided by courage, the newly appointed steers braced the challenge, sweeping from the starting line to finish line rank 2nd and bagging 1st runner-up. A gold was the target of the senior mixed team of Ampphi, but good thing we still have 3 more legs to go.
The 2nd leg is fast approaching, and enough preparation and conditioning will be a big help in grabbing another gold for the team. To our senior mixed crew, two thumbs up and warm congratulations for making leg 1 the most memorable and for setting the bar high for the team.
