The first sandboarding outfit in the Philippines gets endorsed by global guidebooks

The Laoag Eco-Adventure Development Movement, more popularly referred to as LEAD,  which started a new culture of adventure in the Ilocos tourism scene via its sandboarding and 4×4 ride offering in the Laoag Sand Dunes, or La Paz, is honored to be globally recognized and listed in Lonely Planet and Rough Guide guidebooks.

With humble beginnings as a backyard project, the trailblazing four-year old sand adventure has inspired LEAD to spawn more exciting adventure prospects.

LEAD Movement sincerely thank all those who have supported sandboarding and contributed to the success of its mission and vision.

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Photographed by the LEAD Movement All Rights Reserved 2013

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Behind-the-scenes with Kris Aquino for KrisTV

So real, Ms. Kris Aquino tours Ilocos and shoots for her TV talk show on ABS-CBN.

The irrepressible John “Sweet” Lapus, the particular episode’s special guest, tries sandboarding. Sweet yelled “Bongga!” as soon as he succeeds the smooth descent.

Entertainment writer Darla Sauler with LEAD Movement Executive Director Benny Arce. In the photo below, with KrisTV segment producer James is LEADer MC Manangan.

No blinking now. Proud Ilocano moment. LEAD, which stands for Laoag Eco-Adventure Development, conceptualized sandboarding in 2009 in hopes of attracting more tourists to Ilocos Norte. We’d like to call it a backyard project, we aimed to market the unproductive, idle vast centuries-old sand dunes for niche tourism helping the essential trickle-down effect. It was a long and ardous road. Those who have followed the blog early on are familiar with that road. We never thought sandboarding would reach this far, this big. We’re moving on to a new adventure. In the works…

With special thanks to Ms. Krs Aquino, Sweet Lapus and KrisTV.

Photographed by Blauearth for LEAD Movement All Rights Reserved 2012

Ilocos Sandboarding is catching on

A year that was…

Starting from scratch

Same time last year, the LEADers were engrossed in making a blueprint for a new eco-adventure project. Apart from fine beaches and heritage structures, Ilocos Norte is known for its vast stretches of sand dunes, so they thought of coming up with something unique in the Philippine adventure scene, something that promises a new thrill for the intrepid adventure seekers. After studying the possibilities, they decided to focus on sandboarding.

They crafted their first sandboards.

Trial run

On August 2, 2009, the sandboards were ready, but not the sandboarding newbies. At the Laoag Sand Dunes, the LEADers took turns in surfing the slopes. There were some misses, but all in all, the downhill adventure got them all stoked. They were ready to bring it to the next level.

The buzz

Thereafter, the LEAD Movement started its info campaign.

Other adventure groups in Ilocos climbed in the bandwagon. Through the new media, television, and social networking,  sandboarding in Ilocos Norte is beginning to catch on.

Photos by BlauEarth