WHO IS
BUZZY BUDLONG?
Buzzy Budlong is the man behind Island Buzz Philippines, known for offering the craziest paddling and sailing tours in Cebu. He is the 1st Filipino to sea kayak the whole 3025 kilometer length of the Philippines from south (Sarangani) to north (Ilocos) in 88 days.
WHO IS
BUZZY BUDLONG?
Buzzy Budlong is the man behind Island Buzz Philippines, known for offering the craziest paddling and sailing tours in Cebu. He is the 1st Filipino to sea kayak the whole 3025 kilometer length of the Philippines from south (Sarangani) to north (Ilocos) in 88 days.
Last January 2016, he crossed from North Cebu (Daanbantayan) to South Cebu (Santander) in 5 days using 5 different free-energy watercrafts per day and did free paddle clinics to locals.
The aim is to drive awareness on how rich our water resources are, and for the locals to appreciate our paddling culture and to revive the local Visayan sailing watercraft, called the Bigiw.
That is also why he started the annual Bigiw-Bugsay race in celebration of the Ocean Month. He continues to be the pioneer of local water crafts in the country.
From Stand Up paddleboarding, to bigiw sailing and his new baby, the 6-man Ocean Canoe or OC6 which he calls Big6. Together with his team, he has launched the very first OC6 last November 2018 and until now, doing long distance paddling expeditions around Cebu!
Through his company, he conducts unique paddle tours that will give you a different perspective of nature, from mangrove sanctuaries to lagoons, to coastal areas, even to stinky waterways, when he needs to promote environmental protection.
Unlike in other resorts that also has SUP activities, Buzzy makes sure that those who want to try gets a quick training on proper paddling strokes and right stance to enjoy the experience better and not just be contented with picture taking.
He’s also busy conducting paddle races and coaching younger people on professional paddling, and in producing his own paddleboards and ocean canoes. He employs local fishermen as shapers and fiber-glassers.
Buzzy recounts, “I grew up in a town near the coastline and developed my love in paddling “baruto”, a local outrigger canoe when I was only 7 years old. It was my father and my grandfather who influenced me, along with their fishermen folks. I remember spending my days hanging out with the local fishing villagers and listening to their stories about sea adventures.”
“Now, I sleep and wake up, trying to visualize when my next paddling day will be and then plotting which routes to take in exploring the Philippines’ waterways”, says Buzzy.