Sailing in the Philippines: 6 Reasons Why You Should Pick Up the Sport Now


If you didn’t already think of the Philippines as one of Asia’s premier sailing hotspots—for its idyllic waters and its maritime culture that dates back hundreds of years—there are plenty of reasons to do so now. One of them is the milestone partnership between the esteemed Subic Sailing Club and Europa Yachts, which brought about the inauguration of the Europa Sailing School in Subic.

The opening of the school is indeed the perfect occasion to advocate learning how to sail in the Philippines. Indeed, the sport is becoming more popular, and now that it’s getting the attention of major civil and commercial supporters, it’s probably the best time to pick it up. Here are six reasons to do so!

More Filipinos can now enjoy high-quality sailing education.

Thanks to the Subic Sailing Club and Europa Yachts, among other key players, more Filipinos now have access to quality sailing education than ever before. This doesn’t pertain only to the expertise of the sailing instructors (of which there is no shortage), it also pertains to the kind of facilities and equipment that newbie sailors can expect to use. In the case of the Europa Sailing School, this comes in the form of the Bénéteau First 14 sailing dinghy, a simple but versatile 14-foot planing hull boat that can be sailed either two-handed or solo. If you learn to sail in an institution like the Europa Sailing School, you’ll have the opportunity to learn on a modern and top-quality vessel like the First 14 while getting instruction from some of best sailing teachers in Asia.

 

It’s a modern gentleman’s sport, and learning it will bring out your inner excellence.

Sailing is quite an exceptional sport, and one whose rewards are leadership, discipline, and self-mastery. If you want to develop these qualities in yourself—in your daily life, as well as at sea—you can do so by way of your sailing education.

 

Anyone, from any walk of life, can be a sailor.

Though the sport is primarily associated with the elite, the Subic Sailing Club and Europa Yachts are out to change that mindset. You, too, may discover that sailing is a sport for everybody. A love for nature, a keen sense of how to get from place to place, and an appreciation for the camaraderie that one finds on a sailboat will certainly unite sailors from all backgrounds.

 

It’s a fun endeavor to take on with family or friends.

You don’t have to limit your sailing adventures to solo trips—you can also take up the sport with family or friends. It’ll be just as fun—or perhaps even more enjoyable—than going golfing or bowling. If you learn to sail with a group of people that you value, you’ll certainly be able to strengthen your filial or platonic ties, develop better teamwork and communication, and have an exceptionally good time.

 

Sailing could be a means for you to elevate your livelihood or your competitive spirit.

If you get very good at sailing, you might even begin to look at it as a means to improve your career path or your financial situation. Even if you’re learning the sport late in life, soon enough you might gain eligibility for a sailing regatta and compete in one just for the prize money. On the other hand, if one of your goals for the future is to pursue a maritime career, having sailing credentials on your résumé may help you secure a lucrative job either in the Philippines or abroad.

 

You can experience the revival of sailing culture in a sail-worthy destination—none other than your home country, the Philippines.

Sailing has always been a part of the Philippines’ cultural and commercial DNA. But it’s only mostly in recent years that sailing enthusiasts, leisure boat dealers, government bodies, travel operators, and organizers of competitive events have worked closely together to promote sailing in the Philippines. Sailing-related activities in the country now extend past regattas and trips to the major marinas in Subic, Palawan, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao. Soon enough, you may also be welcomed as a sailboat-riding tourist in an off-beat destination like Corregidor, where the Philippine government is developing new infrastructure to accommodate sailboats. What better way is there to explore the country’s 7,000+ islands than by sailing on the waters that connect them all?

 

Truly, there are many possibilities to be had in learning how to sail. Mastering the sport of sailing could help in your personal development, in your career, in the betterment of your relationships with like-minded souls, or in your discovery of the Philippines as a whole.

As such, set aside your fears, take a chance on something new, and pick up the sport of sailing today!