Thirty Women to Paddle Together for Plastic-Free Oceans in Celebration of Women’s Month

A total of 30 women will try to accomplish a 10-kilometer paddling challenge using non-motorized watercraft like Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP), Outrigger Canoes (OC6), Kayaks, and the traditional Visayan canoe called Bigiw, in an activity branded as Pink Paddle Project (PPP) this coming March 21, 2020.

PPP is an all-women paddling event, held every month of March to celebrate Women’s Month. This is the third year since PPP has been encouraging women to challenge themselves by going out of their comfort zones, while helping each other out and by cheering for everyone’s success.

For the past two years, the challenge involved crossing the 5 kilometer stretch of Hilutungan Channel. However, for this year, the paddling activity will be happening along the coastal area of Punta Engano, starting from Mactan Newtown Beach to Mactan Shrine.

A short program will be held afterwards where lectures on women-related topics will be discussed by representatives from partner companies, from the Department of Tourism-R7, and from the local government unit of Lapu-Lapu City. Representatives from ICanServe Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the early detection of breast cancer in women, will also be there as the beneficiary of a portion of the event’s proceeds.    

Representatives from ICanServe Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the early detection of breast cancer in women, will also be there as the beneficiary of a portion of the event’s proceeds.    

The event is spearheaded by Island Buzz Philippines, a paddle sports company of Buzzy Budlong, a known Visayan paddler who is also the one coaching the women, along with Faye Jimirea, of Philippine Outrigger Canoe Club.

The event is in partnership with Oceana, the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation.

Oceana is hoping that the empowered women who will participate in the Pink Paddle Project, will help call on everyone to be leaders in achieving plastic-free oceans.

In fact, they have recently launched a Cebu-based campaign called #wayplastikaycebu which aims to stop single-use and for Cebuanos to adopt a plastic-free lifestyle.