The famous legendary Paoay Lake, a beautiful 387-hectare body of water located a few kilometers south of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte will be the official venue for the next 71st ARAE-FEARA International Regatta to be held on January 13-January 20, 2013.
The Amateur Rowing Association of the East-Far East Amateur Rowing Association (ARAE-FEARA) was founded in 1933 to ignite the spirit of competitive rowing among rowing clubs in British colonies of the East at that time.
Through the years, the popularity of the sport has grown not just all over the region,but also in the Philippines.
Rowing is a water sport that involves 1-8 persons using oars or scullsto propel a boat through the water.
In contrast to the locally familiar Dragon Boat Racing, rowing does not involve any kind of drumming. (If one may recall the movie The Social Network, this is the same boat race the Winklevoss twins competed in. A famous TV commercial of a popular clothing brand in the ‘90s starring Richard Gomez also featured this sport.)
ARAE-FEARA has been holding its annual international regatta in different locations throughout the Eastern region as a means to promote friendly competition among participating nations.
After almost two decades, the ARAE-FEARA International Regatta will again be held in the Philippines and will be hosted by the oldest sporting club in the country, Manila Boat Club. This year, Manila Boat Club aims to push the event a little farther by not just promoting the sport, but local tourism as well in support of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte’s “Paoay Kumakaway!” campaign.
Manila Boat Club chose Paoay Lake for its calm nature ideal for rowing, and the breathtaking beauty that surrounds it – a lush green forest, an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player, and the Malacañan of the North.
The famous Paoay Sand Dunes is also just five minutes away from the lake. This event, in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, aims to inaugurate Paoay Lake as a premier destination for local and international rowing events.
The countries that had already signified their intents to compete in the event include India, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom. Admission for spectators is free. For more information about this event, visit the 71st ARAE-FEARA International Regatta’s official website:www.paoayregatta.com.
