Riding high with Mikee

“Riding high with Mikee”

Sun.Star Davao, Oct. 20, 2012

Just over two years into wakeboarding, 12-year old Maiquel Jawn Te Selga has already bagged local, national and international awards and recognitions. 

Mikee, as she is fondly called, is a Grade 6 student from Stella Maris Academy of Davao. She is the only child of Michael, an architect, and Pretty Selga, a businesswoman.

Her wakeboarding achievements have also caught the attention of companies such as The Board Shop and Ten 80 Clothing which are now her corporate sponsors in the sport.

According to Wikipedia, “wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing techniques.

The rider is usually towed behind a motorboat, typically at speeds of 30-50 km/h, depending on the board size, rider’s weight, type of tricks and rider’s comfort speed.

In addition, the wakeboarder can also be towed by other means, including closed-course cable systems, winches, personal water craft, trucks/cars, and all-terrain vehicles”.

Mom-About-Town sits down with one of Davao’s kiddie sports sensation in an exclusive interview.

• When did your interest in wakeboarding begin? Who introduced you to the sport?

I can still remember the date, April 11, 2010. I was 10 years old then and my ninong Dexter Tan let me try out wakeboarding for the first time. It took me 2 weeks to really learn the ropes. I would patiently practice for four to eight hours per session.

• What do you love about wakeboarding?

I love wakeboarding because I enjoy extreme sports. It is also fun and I gained a lot of friends.

• For those who are not familiar with wakeboarding, how did it start in Davao and is it becoming a popular sport?

Wakeboarding is very popular in the global setting. It was introduced in the Philippines by CWC (Camsur Watersports Complex). Since it’s a fast growing sport, 8990 Housing Corporation did the same facility in Davao City.

Since 2009, a growing number of water sports enthusiasts have been visiting Deca Wake Park Davao to try wakeboarding.

Presently, there are around 20 active wakeboarders in Davao and still counting. I’m proud to share that the wakeboarding community in Davao is one big happy family.

• When did you start joining wakeboarding competitions and when did you realize that you wanted to seriously pursue it as a sport?

Just four months after learning how to wakeboard, I joined competitions. Two years after, I’m still hooked!

• What are among your most memorable wakeboarding awards/recognitions?

AWARDS:

-1st place (Women’s Amateur Intermediate Wakeboard), Asian Wake Park Tour-3rd leg          (2011), Lago de Oro, Batangas

      

-1st place (Amateur Women’s Wakeboard), The Board Shop Cable Jam (2011)-Phuket Cable Ski, Phuket, Thailand

-1st place (Amateur Women’s Wakeboard), Asian Wake Park Tour-1st leg (2012) - Thai Wake Park, Bangkok, Thailand

-1st place (Women's Wakeboard), Bohol Wake Jam (2012) - Pandanon Island, Bohol

-1st place (Amateur Women’s Wakeboard), Asian Wake Park Tour - 2nd leg (2012) - Ski 360, Singapore

-1st place (Wakeboard Girls Division) Philippine Qualifier Series-1st and 2nd legs (2012),   Lago de Oro, Batangas and Deca Wake Park Davao

-1st place (Wakeskate Junior Ladies Division) Philippine Qualifier Series-2nd leg (2012),  Deca Wake Park Davao

RECOGNITIONS:

-Citation, 1st Mayor Sara Duterte and Vice-Mayor Rody Duterte Athletes Recognition Night (2012)

-Citation, 18th So Kim Cheng Sports Award (2012)

• What are the values that were developed as a result of your passion and involvement in wakeboarding?

I gained self-confidence and developed sportsmanship.

• If one is interested to pursue wakeboarding as a sport, how and what should he/she prepare in terms of equipment/gear? How much is the initial investment?

For a newbie who wants to have complete gear, expect to spend around 15-20 thousand pesos, but for more passionate riders, more demanding gear may be required to suit their riding style. So, he/she has to shell out roughly 30-40 thousand pesos.

• How does one train to be a wakeboarder? 

Simple. Ride with passion and have fun!

• What is your advice for kids who would love to try wakeboarding?

Nothing is impossible.

• How do your parents support you in your wakeboarding career?

I thank my parents for letting me join competitions, for always supporting me and accompanying me, and I thank God for giving me such wonderful parents. I love you so much, Papa and Mama!

• You have achieved so much in such a short time, what are your other dreams or goals in terms of wakeboarding?

Step up, learn new tricks and ride harder!

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.