By
OCTOBER 12, 2007
(Special to the Asian Journal)
Riding the Waves
Pinoy Jetski Champ Competes for World
JET ski enthusiasts and champions and accommodation. We tried to get the
from around the world are converging support of the government and many
for a most awaited event at Lake sports organizations in the Philippines
Havazu, Arizona. From Oct. 6 to 14, the but they all said they have no budget,”
annual International Jet Sports Boating revealed Baltao.
Association (IJSBA) World Finals is set to Jet skiing is not a cheap sport. One jet
make monster waves in the history of ski costs around P1M or $20,000 with
this exhilarating water sport. the needed modifications. Fortunately,
Of the over 140 registered participants, Baltao’s parents, Jaime and Onie, and
one is a Filipino — 26-year old jet ski younger siblings, James, Natalia and
champion Carlo Z. Baltao. Carla all love the sport as well. Mom Onie
A native of Antipolo City, Baltao seems has joined races and made it as finalist
to have been born to ride and master the while James was the Jet Ski Rookie of the
jet ski. Year 2000.
“I was just 15 years old when I first rode When Carlo decided to give the World
a jet ski in 1996,” Baltao related his story Finals another try this year, his family
to the Asian Journal. “My parents bought supported him all the way. He arrived
shares in the Subic Yacht Club and while in mid-August and has been regularly
there, I rode a jet ski. Some people who practicing and training for the World
saw me invited me to join a jet ski race Finals with his manager, Mike Martinez
organized by the Jet Sport Association of from Canoga Park, California.
the Philippines,” he said. The participants are grouped into three
Baltao joined the race and the rest, was so excited to compete in the World classes – Novice, Expert and Pro (made
as they say, is history. He won second Finals. Actually, I believe I could have up of former world champions). Baltao
place in the race, defeating many other made it to the top 3. But, binangga ako is participating in the Expert class. There
seasoned jet ski riders. nuong Thai finalist (But the Thai finalist are three rounds– qualifying, MOTO 1
Seeing how Carlo was a “natural” in crashed into my jet ski). I fell out of the and MOTO 2.
the sport, his parents persuaded him water. Sobrang lamig! (The water was In answer to Asian Journal’s query as
to join other jet ski competitions. He so cold!) Sumakay uli ako at humabol sa to his immediate plans for the future,
won in every race he competed in. The kanila.(I managed to ride my jet ski again Baltao says, “I intend to participate in
following year in 1997, Baltao won 3 and drove after the others.) I still made the regional races here in the US. The
novice champion awards. In 1998, he was it to the 10th place but I know if I didn’t regional races in California, Florida, Texas
awarded “Rookie of the Year” in a national fall I would have made it to the top,” said and other States start January. So, after
jet ski competition. In 1999, he emerged Baltao. the World Finals, I’ll stay in California and
champion in the expert division in four In 2002, Baltao represented the train for those regional events.”
races. In 2000, he was four-time expert Philippines in an invitational race in But first things first. “For now, I am
division champion. Thailand and made it to the top 10. With focusing all my energies on the World
The next year he was three-time expert over 100 awards in jet ski competitions, Finals this week. I will try my very best
division champion and was awarded Baltao took a break from the sport in to be the first Filipino to be a world
the “Jet Ski Rider of the Year”. He then 2004. champion in jet ski,” Baltao said. “I hope,
competed in the World Finals in Lake “I stopped joining competitions after through Asian Journal, the Filipino
Havazu City Arizona that same year. 2004 because it was very expensive. My community will support me as I represent
What happened in Lake Havazu in 2001 family was spending for all my expenses – the country. I need your prayers,” he
was something Baltao could not forget. “I training, registration fees, transportation added. (AJ)
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