THE ILOILO-GUIMARAS PARAW REGATTA
A BACKGROUNDER
 The
Iloilo Paraw (sailboat) Regatta, instituted in 1973, is a race
among native outriggers in the strait between Guimaras Island and
Iloilo City. Called paraw in the local dialect, these native outriggers
faithfully copy in materials and design sailboats which carried
to Panay in 1212 A.D. the first settlers from Borneo who were in
search of a peaceful home. The sailboats have survived the centuries
and become a vital part of the Ilonggo seafaring life.
The first Iloilo Paraw regatta was organized by the Iloilo Department
of Tourism, the City of Iloilo, the municipalities of Oton, and
Jordan and Buenavista in Guimaras, the Philippine Coast Guard,
Negros Navigation, the late Antonio de Oteyza, Iloilo Boat Club,
Panay Amateur Radio Club, Iloilo Jaycees, Anhawan Beach resort
and a host of others, readily welcomed the project and lent a helping
hand. Since then, the Iloilo Paraw Regatta has grown both in size
and renown. The race has become more exciting, colorful and inevitably
a challenge to manage.
The primary objective of the regatta is to help develop the local
tourism industry and preserve the paraw as a legacy from the earliest
period of Ilonggo history. In these times of energy crisis, the
paraw becomes more relevant since it does not need fuel and is
practically pollution-free. The race also aims to develop the spirit
of sportsmanship
A PERSPECTIVE OF THE PARAW
THE PARAW
The principal attractions of the Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta are the
double outrigger boats locally called paraw. This native sailboat has been
in existence in this island for no one knows how long. But the fact remains
that the people of Panay, Negros and Guimaras have been using the paraw
as a means of transportation as well as a source of livelihood for a long
time. Fishermen of this region are still using the paraw for their daily
chores. Favorable winds and an Ilonggo at the helm can make a paraw go
at flank speed. In the last World War, paraw-borne guerillas like hornets
kept the enemy offshore harmless.
THE OUTRIGGERS
Paraws are fitted with outriggers which are mainly used as balancers
against the tilting effect of the craft on cross currents and waves.
These outriggers are so designed that they are not totally submerged,for
this would certainly cause the craft to capsize. Therefore, on races,
it is not unusual to see members of the crew standing on the opposite
outrigger in order to keep the running rigger from being submerged.
THE HULL
The hull of a paraw is a dugout with an average length of 16 feet (5.5
meters) to 25 feet (8 meters). The hull has an average beam of 0.33
meters at waterline. This gives a ratio of length to width of usually
20 to 1. Such proportion causes a knife-like effect by the hull on
the water. For straight runs, it produces the least resistance and
even with light winds, the craft is propelled with ease. When the craft
is heading against the wind, it requires the highest skill in seamanship.
Light native materials are used in the hull construction, this being
one of the requisites for qualification.
THE SAIL
Sails used on the largest craft are triangular main sails, with a smaller
one in front. The single mast is mounted far forward on the hull. This
sail arrangement and fine reeling construction of the hull result in
a relatively high craft performance. Speed up to 65% of the wind velocity
have been realized by racing paraws. The sail size is not specified,
however, the usual design is such that the height of the sail peak
does not exceed the boat length.
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