If there is one understated yet easily accessible pleasure to be enjoyed in beautiful Boracay, it would have to be paraw sailing. These colourful little boats are a well loved part of the island experience, and long before the first tourist set weary foot on the gleaming sands of White Beach, they have been an integral part of the scenery. Few tropical islands have such an evocative symbol as the paraw, and most guidebooks and brochures on the subject of Boracay contain that classic image of paraws sailing into the golden sunset.

A paraw is a native-style outrigger sailing boat constructed from wood and bamboo, and is comprised of a single hull flanked by two outriggers for stability. They are not, as they are commonly misnamed, a catamaran, a trimaran, or a hobie cat! The design of these sturdy little sailboats can be traced back to those vessels which first carried settlers to the Visayan region from Borneo in the early 1200's, and to this day this particular style of boat can only be seen around a few islands in the Western Visayas.

Prior to the onslaught of tourism, paraws were commonly used for fishing, or to facilitate travel and trade between islands, but in recent years, enterprising local sailors commonly use them for sightseeing tours around the numerous coves and beauty spots, and many visitors much prefer this quiet, wind-driven and environmentally friendly method of transportation as an alternative to the noisy banca boat rides. They are enormous fun to sail and due to the absence of a deep keel, have the advantage of being able to moor right on the shoreline - perfect for beach hopping. The yearly paraw regatta, held during high season, is a colourful and lively spectacle, and while cash prizes are on offer, many compete for the sheer thrill and enjoyment of the race itself.

A life on the beach outrigger sailing

A paraw ride can be a calm and tranquil experience, enjoyed with a bottle of wine at sunset, a means to visit deserted beaches and snorkel sites, or, during windy weather, an exhilarating (if rather wet) way to ride the waves at high speed. A crew of two is usual (a skipper and a balancer) and most paraws can accomodate 4 - 6 passengers comfortably.

The large triangular sails are often used to showcase local artwork, and unique tribal designs, geckos, fish and a variety of funky murals can be seen adorning these photogenic floating canvasses. Sadly (and to the abject horror of many tourists and Boracay purists) corporate logos have also made their way onto the sails, but thankfully many boatmen still insist on keeping the individuality of their boats intact, and refuse to display such advertisements.

It is easy to see from the sunny and carefree disposition of most paraw skippers just how much they enjoy their work. Take the friendly and upbeat Captain Joey, for example, skipper of "Red Pirates", one of Boracay's most well known sailing boats, and owner of the eclectic Pirates Pub. "Sailing is so relaxing. You don't have to think - you just get back to nature. It's a pure and positive energy" he enthuses. "When you are sailing, it's like a therapy". And he should know. Joey has been cruising these waters for eighteen years and knows all the island's best kept secrets, including remote caves and snorkel sites.

Many foreigners have also been bitten by the paraw sailing bug, and British-born artist David Parker recalls, "I spent a long time sitting on Boracay's white sand watching the majestic outrigger sailing boats before actually sailing on one. Once initiated, it became a healthy habit, and my girlfriend and I bought a class A racing paraw, the "Red Rooster". The boat was the Ferarri of the island, painted bright yellow, and was our daily and nightly transport to the clubs and bars along the beachfront."

Dave's enthusiasm for paraw sailing and genuine affection for these unusual little boats is obvious. He continues, "The foreigners who had paraws were not lazy Sunday sailors. They raced - even if there was no competition. Purely the need for speed. Paraws are not slow (Red Rooster was clocked doing more than twenty-two knots), but they can be, and they are extremely sensitive. I was once told by a yachtsman who was on his second solo circumnavigation of the globe and had stopped off in Boracay that, "if you can sail one of these, you can sail anything!" If you like freedom, flying, driving in open-topped sportscars or riding a classic motorcycle on a beautiful summers day, do not miss out on sailing a paraw in Boracay." With imaginitive names such as "Wind Song", "Frankie Baby", "Sugar Brown Reggae", "Satisfaction" and "Red Pirates", many of these boats are instantly recognisable, and Boracay regulars often have their own personal favourite paraw - and crew.

Here's hoping that these atmospheric little boats (and the cheerful, free-spirited guys who sail them) remain a part of Boracay life for many years to come - for island life surely wouldn't be the same without them.

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