The Philippine Canoe Kayak and Dragonboat Federation has expressed its grief over the tragedy that befell seven paddlers after their boat capsized during training in Boracay on Wednesday.
PCKDF President Jonne Go said in a statement that the incident ìis a sad loss for the sport. I extend my condolences to their families.î
Go explained that the seven are not members of the national team, but two of them tried out for the national dragonboat squad this year and showed great potential.
Officials of the PCKDBF flew to Boracay yesterday to pay their last respects.
“They were friends of ours and the Boracay team are club members,” added Go.
Seven individuals died after a dragon boat capsized in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan on Wednesday morning.
Reports said there were 21 passengers on board the boat of the Boracay Team Dragon Force, which is training for an international meet in Taiwan.
The accident occurred along the waters off Sitio Lingganay in Barangay Manoc-Manoc.
The local government of Malay identified the fatalities as Mark Vincent Navarrete, Comar Acob, Maricel Tan, Johann Tan, Richel Montuya, Antonette Supranes and John Vincent Natividad, who were all declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
The PCG said the local dragon boat team was holding a practice when sudden strong waves hit them, which later caused the boat to capsize.
The survivors of the sea mishap include Von Navarrosa, Yhen Aytona, Mark Baccay, Kenneth Bandalan, Jao Buenaventura, Julia Kurbaniizova, Robel Licerio, Janice Lumbo, Lani Ordas, Edwin Paradas, Marc Sabado, Kathleen Sabado, Jayrold Violanda and Maggie Xie.
The paddlers boarded their boat around 7:15 a.m. and said the waters were calm at that time.
But, upon reaching 300 meters from shore of Lingganay Resort, the board capsized because of strong waves and winds.