Discover the Ultimate Adventure at CamSur Water Sports Complex in the Philippines
I still remember the first time I visited CamSur Water Sports Complex during a break between PBA games. As a sports journalist who's covered BARANGAY Ginebra's thrilling Philippine Cup performances for over a decade, I've developed a keen appreciation for world-class athletic facilities. Let me tell you, this water sports paradise in the Philippines' Bicol region absolutely blew me away with its sheer scale and professional setup. While basketball fans were buzzing about Ginebra's upcoming match against Blackwater, I found myself equally excited about the world-class water adventures waiting just hours away from Manila's basketball arenas.
The complex spans approximately 120 hectares of perfectly designed waterways and facilities. What struck me immediately was how this place caters to both professional athletes and adventure seekers like myself. I've visited numerous water sports facilities across Southeast Asia, but CamSur's cable wake park remains unmatched in its sophistication. They operate with six System 2.0 cables that can accommodate up to 18 riders simultaneously, which means you're never waiting long for your turn. The first time I tried the cable wakeboarding, I lasted about three seconds before taking what felt like my hundredth fall of the day. But here's the thing – the instructors are phenomenal, and the progression system they've implemented means even complete beginners like I was can start getting the hang of it within a single session.
Beyond wakeboarding, the complex offers an incredible variety of water activities that many visitors don't initially realize. I particularly fell in love with their stand-up paddleboarding at sunrise – gliding across the calm waters as the morning mist rises around Mount Isarog creates what I consider one of the most magical experiences in Philippine tourism. Their kayaking routes take you through mangroves teeming with local wildlife, and if you're lucky, you might spot some of the 85 bird species that call this area home. What impressed me most was how they've managed to balance high-adrenaline sports with tranquil nature experiences, creating what I believe is the most versatile water sports destination in Asia.
The connection to Philippine sports culture runs deeper than you might think. During my last visit, I actually ran into several PBA players who were there to cross-train during the offseason. One of them mentioned how water sports provide excellent low-impact conditioning that complements their basketball training. This got me thinking about how BARANGAY Ginebra's famous endurance during those intense fourth quarters in the Philippine Cup might partly stem from their players' diverse training approaches. The complex has hosted international competitions drawing athletes from over 40 countries, yet it maintains this wonderfully accessible vibe that welcomes complete novices.
What many visitors don't realize is that CamSur represents a brilliant model of sustainable tourism development. The complex employs around 300 local residents and has sparked the growth of numerous supporting businesses in the surrounding area. I've watched the local economy transform over my multiple visits, with new restaurants, accommodations, and services popping up to cater to the growing number of visitors. The management told me they've seen annual visitor numbers grow from about 50,000 in their first year to nearly 200,000 pre-pandemic, with projections suggesting they'll hit 300,000 within the next two years.
The learning curve at CamSur is surprisingly manageable. I'm not what you'd call a natural athlete – my basketball skills are limited to weekend games where I mostly just run around looking busy – but the instruction here is so well-structured that I went from repeatedly face-planting in the water to actually completing the beginner course in just two days. The equipment rental system is streamlined, with high-quality gear maintained to international standards. Safety is clearly their priority, with lifeguards stationed every 50 meters along the main cable routes and response teams ready to assist within seconds if needed.
Comparing CamSur to other adventure destinations I've visited across the Philippines and beyond, what stands out is their commitment to continuous improvement. They're constantly adding new features – last year they introduced a massive inflatable obstacle course that's become incredibly popular with families and groups. The food options have evolved from basic snacks to proper restaurants serving both local Bicolano cuisine and international dishes. I've developed a particular fondness for their spicy Bicol Express bowl, which has become my post-activity ritual whenever I visit.
As someone who spends most of their time covering indoor sports like basketball, discovering CamSur reminded me of the incredible diversity of athletic pursuits available in the Philippines. While I'll always be courtside for those thrilling Ginebra versus Blackwater matchups, I now make sure to schedule water sports adventures around my basketball coverage. The energy at CamSur mirrors what I love about Philippine sports culture – that perfect blend of competitive spirit and pure joy in movement. Whether you're a professional athlete looking for training facilities or a weekend adventurer seeking new challenges, this complex delivers an experience that, in my opinion, rivals any world-class sporting destination while remaining uniquely Filipino in its warmth and hospitality.
We are shifting fundamentally from historically being a take, make and dispose organisation to an avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle organisation whilst regenerating to reduce our environmental impact. We see significant potential in this space for our operations and for our industry, not only to reduce waste and improve resource use efficiency, but to transform our view of the finite resources in our care.
Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
The quality of our product and ongoing health of our business is intrinsically linked to healthy and functioning ecosystems. We recognise our potential to play our part in reversing the decline in biodiversity, building soil health and protecting key ecosystems in our care. This theme extends on the core initiatives and practices already embedded in our business including our sustainable stocking strategy and our long-standing best practice Rangelands Management program, to a more a holistic approach to our landscape.
We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
– Sub-tropics – 80% of land achieving >50% perennial cover
– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover
– Desert country – 60% of land achieving >50% cover
