WHAT TO EXPECT IN CDO WHITE WATER RAFTING

Location: Sitio Aura, Barangay Mambuaya (starting point) and Barangay Kabula (endpoint), Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

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The challenging but exciting white water rafting

It is dated February 14, 2011, a part of my February 11-14, 2011 CDO-Camiguin-Bukidnon Trip with my companions: Alan Valenzuela, Rome Frias, Cesar Garcia and Benedick Manalang. We were based in Cagayan de Oro City at the ancestral house of our good friend, Rome Frias. His brother, Enrique and wife, Gina, served as our hosts for food and free vehicles. Alan Valenzuela funded our round trip airfares.

Our meet-up point with the tour operator

As early as 6:30 A.M., we met our tour operator in Divisoria near Xavier University where his service vehicle awaited our group. Our tour provider was the The Red Rafts headed by our tour guide, Richard Labor with assistants: Glen Caduguan, Junjun Caballero and Roy Damasco. Maurice Cepriano and Erwin Ladaran were our photographers under the Red Rafts. Our service vehicle driver which is 35 minutes from Divisoria (CDO) to the rafting starting point was Rickson Magallanes. This was our second time to hire their services.

The tour orientation and briefing

Our package is at P900 per head (with lunch or an additional of P200) and P1,500 is the video and unlimited pictures during the whole course of the rafting. P1,500 could be lesser if the group is bigger where the cost can be divided equally among the members of the group.

The whole team

We were into two rubber boats where on the other boat were our acquaintances: Fayette Zagala and Mavy Lomibao with her friend. All of us were operated under the Red Rafts.

The rafting starting point

In our briefing, we were told that since we had opted the Beginner rafting package, it will be for a 2 and half hours course consisting of 14 rapids varying in classification as to Class II and III 1/2. Class II (easy to moderate). We will be experiencing small-to-medium-sized regular waves with some obstacles. Some maneuvering is required but passages are clear. Splashy and fun! Class III: (moderate to exciting). Numerous waves that are bigger and a bit irregular with currents that can be tricky. Big splashes and exciting rides! Obstacles require maneuvering, but the narrow passages are generally straightforward. Scouting from shore is recommended and usually required. Big splashes and exciting rides!

Experiencing the rough waters just few meters from the starting point

We have been briefed that the starting point of the rafting course is in Sitio Aura of Barangay Mambuaya and will end in Barangay Kabula, still a part of Cagayan de Oro City. Sitio Aura's opposite river bank is already a part of the municipality of Baungon of the province of Bukidnon.

Our group of two rubber boats

We stayed an hour at the briefing station since there were souvenir stores there where we bought some. I even bought there my arm's sun screen for I find it very colorful at neon green. Thus, we started the actual rafting at 9:06 A.M.

Accessories and souvenir store

Maneuvering the first rapids with fun and excitement

Though, it was our second time, we still faced the first rapids with excitement. Rome, Cesar and I were all eyes to Alan and Benedick who were just first timers of this white water rafting.

When the current becomes hostile and extremely rough

A gesture every after overcoming a rapids

Heading for the next rapids

Battling the second rapids

One of our photographers while waiting for our boats to pass

Approaching the third rapids

Highly engaged at the third rapids

Regrouping for the fourth rapids

An aerial shot by our stationed photographer

Navigating thru the fifth rapids with two companions dropped down the water

Standing ovation on the sixth rapids

Slapped by splashing rapids but managed and overcame it

The waters was still on our way to the seventh rapids

The seventh rapids was manageable

On the seventh rapids

Rome fell from the boat at the eighth rapids

Taking it easy on the ninth rapids

Sailing calmly for the next stop

Heading for the small water falls the locals call as the "Fountain of Youth"

Drinking and bathing the extremely clear fresh water from the Fountain of Youth water falls

Just resting after the Fountain of Youth water falls

Rome's second fall at the 10th rapids

Making it cool for the 11th rapids

We were all covered underwater by the rubber boat when it capsized

Unexpectedly our boat capsized and I was carried by the strong underwater current

One of the two lifeguards brought a canoe for my rescue

It is difficult to board on a rubber boat canoe

Finally I successfully boarded the rubber boat

My second fall which was at the 12th rapids and I found myself on the river bank

Carried by the strong underwater current after a fall at the 13th rapids

Benedick and I waiting to be rescued when our boat capsized on the 14th rapids

Unto the end of the rafting course

The whole group after finishing the rafting course

We finished the whole beginners rafting course at 11:34 A.M. after we hurdled the 14 rapids. The water in the river was obviously murky as it has heavily rained the day before. The current was so turbulent and whirlpools are so strong that you will be sucked at one point if not rescued, otherwise, the strong under water current will carry you away. However, our lifeguards were really well-trained to rescue us.

We ended up in Barangay Kabula with a sumptuous lunch where we stayed there until 12:30 Noon. Our group drove back home just having an ample time buying pasalubong since we had our 5:15 P.M. PAL PR 284 flight for Manila.

THE RED RAFTS CONTACT DETAILS

Facebook Account The Red Rafts

Richard Labor Mobile Number: 09351307893; Email Address: red_raftrich@yahoo.com

INCLUSION OF THE TOUR PACKAGE OF P1,500 PER HEAD

✔ Roundtrip service vehicle CDO to rafting site and vice versa
< ✔ Rafting fee
✔ Life vest
✔ Helmet
✔ Paddle
✔ Raft guide/life guards
✔ Lunch
✔ Actual rafting unlimited pictures provided in CD
✔ Video coverage of the actual rafting provided in CD

OTHER CONCERNS

There is a provision of one photographer and one videographer who are separate rubber boats. The package is a minimum of four persons.

Looking at the pictures, you will find rafting as a risky activity. However, the experienced guides provides a highly safe rafting course. Besides, the briefing and/or orientation will give you the necessary instructions. It is important to note that, it takes a teamwork skills when paddling towards one desired direction.

THE LEVELS OF WHITEWATER RAFTING OFFERED BY THE RED RAFTS

While our group availed the beginners level, the two others are Advance and Extreme.

The difference between the three is the number of rapids you are going to try. In the briefing, we were told that the Extreme Course has a different route from the Beginners and Advance Course.

The Beginners Course has only 14 rapids, whereas the Advance Course has a total of 22 rapids to navigate with. It includes some major rapids, minor rapids, and technical rapids.

If you decide to avail the Advanced Course, you will still be able to try the Beginner’s Course because it has the same river route, though much longer.

HOW TO GO THERE

Take any daily flight from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City. There are also flights coming from Cebu City to Cagayan de Oro City as an alternative route.

From Cagayan de Oro to the jump-off point in Sitio Aura of Barangay Mambuaya, a private jeepney is provided by the tour operator.

WHITE WATER RAFTING IN CDO

It is my first time to have a documented white water rafting as my first time in the Nile River of Uganda way back 2003 was not really documented. I was the only Filipino then in the 12-team member rubber boat where others were Canadians, Irish and Britons. This time, October 17, 2010, our group consisted of Rome Frias, Jrich Macasero, Cesar Garcia and I were lucky to have a White Water Rafting Operator in the name of “The Red Rafts” headed by our tour guide, Richard Labor with assistant Steve Gaviola. Glen Kaduguan was the photographer boarding a small kayak. Their website is www.theredrafts.com. Richard can be emailed at red_raftrich@yahoo.com. His mobile number is 09351307893.

The starting point of the white water rafting was in Sitio Aura, Brgy. Mambuaya and ended in Kabula where both are located in Cagayan de Oro. Sitio Aura is a 35-minute drive from Divisoria (fronting Xavier University) of Cagayan de Oro City proper. The location of the starting point of Sitio Aura opposite to the river bank is already a part of Municipality of Baungon, Bukidnon. We had Beginner’s Package at P700 per head without lunch (if with lunch, rate would be P900) and P1,500 is the video and unlimited pictures during the whole course of the rafting. P1,500 could be lesser if the group is bigger where the cost can be divided equally among the members of the group. The package is a minimum of five and so, we have to pay for the fifth slot since we were only four. The rafting package has a classification which varies from Class II to Class III 1/5. Class II: (easy to moderate). Small-to-medium-sized regular waves with some obstacles. Some maneuvering is required but passages are clear. Splashy and fun! Class III: (moderate to exciting). Numerous waves that are bigger and a bit irregular with currents that can be tricky. Obstacles require maneuvering, but the narrow passages are generally straightforward. Scouting from shore is recommended and usually required. Big splashes and exciting rides!

The actual rafting started at 8:06 A.M. and ended at 11:20 A.M. where our group hurdled 14 rapids. In between these rapids are smooth sailing points for our raft. Our rubber boat had capsized in the fourth rapid. The current was so turbulent and whirlpools are so strong that you will be sucked at one point if not rescued, otherwise, the strong current will carry you away. However, our lifeguards were really well-trained to rescue us. Each rapid has its own name, the only ones I can recall was the 11th as the Brave’s Rapids, 12th as the Backlash Rapids, and at the 14th was Surfing the Rapids. We also bathed and drank water from the small water falls called the “Fountain of Youth”. Other details, I cannot recall already.