A Day at CWC

My family didn’t have plans of going anywhere for the Holy Week holiday as my son’s final exams are due after Holy Week.  Plans changed when my brother got reservations for a one day stay at CamSur Watersports Complex or CWC for short. I couldn’t pass up the chance. For months I had been dreaming of going to CWC, intrigued how something man-made could attract a lot of tourists, local and foreign alike.

At the crack of dawn of Holy Wednesday, my family together with my parents and two brothers, motored to Bicol. Somebody tipped my husband about the road works in Quezon, the province just before reaching the Bicol region. It was not going to be a smooth trip. True enough, we were rerouted twice by local authorities that made the trip longer in distance and time aside from slowing down at the construction sites.

We had a late lunch in Naga City. While at Naga City, we proceeded to the public market to buy some dried fish to bring home to Manila. It has been a while since we have eaten “abo”, the local dried fish delicacy. Having bought a boxful of dried fish, we then headed to CWC, a good thirty minutes drive from Naga City.

Dried salted abo at the Dried Fish Section of Naga City People's Mall.

CWC is located in the Provincial Government Complex at Pili, Camarines Sur (contrary to popular belief, Naga City is not the provincial capital of Camarines Sur). It attracts the young crowd, much like the one in Boracay. There are several tents sponsored by Smart Communications which backpackers can use for free. I was informed by the staff at front desk that one need not be a guest of the different living quarters within the complex to avail of the watersports facilities. When not indulging in one’s favorite watersport, one can have a relaxing massage by the lake or right in one’s room. Or have a tattoo that could last for three weeks.  My son and my brother had tattoos on their arms while another brother had a massage.

Massage area by the lakeside.

The real attraction of the place is the wakeboard park. Watersports tournaments for wakeboarding, waterskiing and waterskating are held in the main park. The same park is for the exclusive use of professional wakeboarders and skiers. Beginner riders are delegated to the Winch Park where they are taught the basics of wakeboarding at a controlled environment. Only one person is allowed each time to prevent accidental collision.

Main Wakeboard Park

A CWC vacation is not complete without wading one’s feet at the park. Here are the steps to take to use the wakeboard park:

1. Go to the administration counter and accomplish a waiver for liability form. For those below 18 years old, parents should sign the form.

2. Give back the duly-signed form to the counter to get another form to be presented to another counter for the release of the helmet, lifevest and a wrist band signifying the time of use.

3. Proceed to the Winch Park, line up and wait for your turn. A CWC staff will brief you of the basics of wakeboarding.

I found out from the experience of my daughter that two hours will not suffice to learn how to balance on the board.  It will take many hours of uninterrupted practice to learn wakeboarding.  The momentum is destroyed if one keeps on lining up for a turn on the board.

There’s a restaurant where one can eat meals.  Cooking is prohibited in the rooms though I think the administration will not mind if you eat something you brought inside.  Just dispose of trash properly.  We ate our left over sandwiches from our trip upon checking-in in our room.

CWC Restaurant

Breakfast of bacon mushroom and cheese omelet plus coffee.

There are swimming pools for adults and children right beside the main wakeboard park.  After spending time at wakeboarding, a dive at the swimming pool is in order to feel refreshed.  Since I can’t learn to wakeboard, the swimming pool is the only left for me to enjoy.  Hope there were wakeboard parks when I was young.