CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Two of Cagayan de Oro's top skateboarders are preparing for one of Mindanao's biggest competitions despite training without what many athletes consider essential—a proper skatepark.
With less than a month before the 41st Kadayawan Open Skateboarding Competition in Davao City, Garren Pol Garrido and Izza May Bade say their biggest challenge is not their opponents, but the lack of facilities and financial support at home.
Instead of practicing on competition-standard obstacles, the athletes rely on public spaces and improvised ramps, forcing them to travel to Davao only days before the tournament to familiarize themselves with the official course.
"I only have two weeks of preparation because it's really difficult to practice here in CDO since we don't have a place to train," Garrido said, adding that he only gets to practice on Davao City's skatepark two days before competition.
Garrido, who recently finished third in Kidapawan City's Palarong Panglungsod skateboarding event, said the absence of sponsors also prevents many talented local skaters from competing in major tournaments.
"The lack of funds and support is the main reason why not many skateboarders can represent our city in big events like Kadayawan," he said.
Bade, who was first runner-up in last year's Kadayawan competition and second runner-up during Go Skateboarding Day in Tagaytay, echoed the same concern.
"It's not because of work. I really don't have a place to skate and practice. We don't even have obstacles," she said.
She explained that modern skateboarding competitions are held in specialized skateparks with ramps, rails, ledges and other features that athletes must master to score well—facilities unavailable in Cagayan de Oro.
While she continues to train using makeshift obstacles, Bade admitted they are only enough for basic tricks and cannot fully simulate actual competition conditions.
Even so, both athletes remain determined to represent the city. Like previous tournaments, they plan to arrive in Davao ahead of the event to maximize their limited time on the official course.
Bade also hopes greater support and exposure will encourage more young skateboarders in Cagayan de Oro to compete at higher levels.
"They just need more exposure and connections to join events like these. I believe the future of CDO skateboarding is very bright because I see many talented kids coming up," she said.
The annual Kadayawan Festival skateboarding competition attracts athletes from across Mindanao, including Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Kidapawan, Siargao and Digos, making it one of the region's premier events for the growing sport.
