Philippine Longboarding Spot: Boljoon

Ask anyone who is in the know about Philippine longboarding and that person would probably say that Cebu is ground zero for the Philippine dowhill scene.

The Cebu longboarding scene is considered as one of the most active as well as one of the most competitive in the Philippine longboarding community.

Spearheaded by Arctic Boyz Philippines, Cebu once again dished out another epic speedboarding event for this year's race season In Boljoon. The course which is named Black Crow Hill drew in crews from different parts of the country with one thing in mind, to ride this infamous spot.

Below are reactions of individuals who participated in the said event.


When you first saw the course, what was your first reaction?

Alex Risos: oh fuck!!

Caloy Sambrano: When I first saw the course, I immediately wanted to bomb it. The dips, turns and smooth asphalt were so tempting.

Kiko Meily: First thing that popped in my mind was the course is really fast. It also reminded me of Crazy Trucks in Subic, both are fast and narrow.

Fab Romero: heaven...

Jay Diaz: when I saw the course "pag nahulog ka dito siguradong sa hospital bagsak mo, especially sa hairpin at balete drive"

Nervegasm:  Wicked steep.. but I'm gonna try it.. heheheh

Gerard Cancio: I was really excited. Kiko quoted Pao in his recent MeilyMedia blog post that "hitting a new course is already worth the trip", and I couldn't agree more. I love the feeling of skating a hill that isn't completely known to me, there's this added feeling of excitement when you don't know what to expect.

Mathew Angus:  (damn) Ahhm exited and other side nervous !

Daryll Jojo: crap! bat ko pa iniwan ung armor ni johan!!

Kara Marbe:  The first time i saw the course i was amazed and find it gnarly.hehe

Every course has its specific effect on the person riding it, what did it have on you?

Alex Risos: peaceful ako paminaw..heheh!!!

Caloy Sambrano: The course being fast is a given. But what was most memorable is when I wiped out at the hairpin. You'd think I'd be bummed out. Instead, I actually had so much fun drifting out due to speed. Thank goodness for the net tho.

Kiko Meily: It was actually more than the course, the whole culture of Cebu Longboarding was amazing. I was able to see a different style of skating. Makes you appreciate how different people bring different takes on longboarding to the table.

Fab Romero: hmmmmmmmmmm

Jay Diaz:  Gained more confidence and experience, stoked talaga.

Nervegasm:   well I was happy that it favored my riding style.. and a bit excited to try it.. =)

Gerard Cancio:  For some reason though, with this course, I just felt comfortable from the start. Well, probably too comfortable, which is why I ended up crashing in my race heat with Ering. Haha! But yes, the asphalt felt familiar, the type that I was used to skating and sliding on, so adjusting to it wasn't all too difficult.

Mathew Angus: extreme, radical shit haha

Daryll Jojo:  super stoked! more! :D

Kara Marbe: i like it because its fast and challenging.


Some think that Black Crow hill is a little bit too dangerous for racing due to its surface width, what’s your take on this?

Alex Risos: i dont think so..sakto lang ang width..

Caloy Sambrano: Any course is dangerous for racing. So it's important, in any place you skate or bomb, do so with the proper equipment and always with a friend. Yes, Black Crow hill is narrow, but that just adds to the fun of it.

Kiko Meily: Well, yeah! I did find it dangerous. Before the race, I was thinking how dangerous the course is, especially the right turn with cliff.

Fab Romero: i think that the course is for the experienced downhill skaters and that beginners should think twice before skating it.. but if u know how to footbreak or slide you will surely enjoy the course...

Jay Diaz:  talagang dangerous, perfect for a 2 man run..

Nervegasm: It's not actually it reminds me of our spot (SALIM) it's just looks dangerous because of the narrow road.. but as long as you got your racing lines tuned.. your good to go.. but not me I got wipe out on all my heats but the freeride was awesome(friday)   

Gerard Cancio:  I personally don't think its characteristic of being a tight narrow course makes it dangerous. However, the fact that the road is lined by cliffs on the left hand side probably contributes to that train of thought. It was good though that the organizers took the time to prepare the course, the safety net definitely saved some riders last Saturday.

Mathew Angus:  Experience..

Daryll Jojo:  delikado tlga pati na ung cliff sa 2nd hairpin. The organizers did a really good job in terms of securing every racer's safety. Naglagay sila ng net sa hairpin at ginawang 2 man heat lang, so that was kinda perfect.

Kara Marbe:  true its really dangerous even the best riders sometimes cant make it,what makes it exciting is that in every heat u wont know who will qualify.

What was the hardest part of the course for you, and why?

Alex Risos: first hairpin coz its deceiving..hehehe!!!

Caloy Sambrano: here are 3 hard parts on the course
- starting line: it's just so damn fast, especially if you line up way at the top
- first haripin (by the house): the turn is deceiving
- carnage hairpin: the stories alone of those who wiped out is enough explanation

Kiko Meily: The hardest part was the last right hairpin! I crashed twice! What made things hard was that no one was footbraking, but since I'm heavier than some of the racers, I needed to study the course and find a way to take the corner.

Fab Romero: the 2nd hairpin. its very conceiving and many have been wiped out in that part of the course..

Jay Diaz:  the 2nd hairpin, airbreak tska konting footbreak lang..

Nervegasm: The first hairpin.. it's a bit tricky .. everyone's getting so hype up on the second hairpin .. but the first one.. is.. tricky .. but it's fun.. hehehe...

Gerard Cancio: The hardest part of the course would have to be the 2nd right turn (crash corner). You'd be coming into it so hot, and in a racing situation, you wouldn't want to back down. So half the time, you'd see people eating it instead of playing it a bit on the safer side. The crowd was definitely entertained though.

Mathew Angus: only in hairpin..some good or pro riders wipeout there because of not quiet big road

Daryll Jojo: the 2nd hairpin. kailangan ko mg footbreak pra d mg slide at ma wipe out. :)

Kara Marbe:  The right hairpin is the most challenging it could make or break ur run but once you'll make it its fulfilling even if u loss your heat.

In terms of speed and technicality, how would you rate Black Crow Hill? 

Alex Risos: speed for me is 10 same with technicality... 

Caloy Sambrano: I would say that out of all the races this year, this is the second most technical course next to Iloilo and the second fastest course next to highlands. But I encourage everyone to visit Boljoon kasi iba talaga yung saya.

Kiko Meily: Comparing it with Ilo-Ilo, Sierra Madre, Real, Samat, and Crazy Trucks. It would have been third. Samat and Ilo-Ilo are by far the hardest courses I've hit.

Fab Romero: the best so far..

Jay Diaz:  since eto palang ang 2nd race ko wag ko muna bigay 10/10 kasi d ko pa na try ibang course sa pinas... speed 8/10, technicality 8/10, dangerousity (if there's such a word) 10/10

Nervegasm:   It's technical.. but not as technical as the the big dipper.. but.. it's asphalt so.. it's a bit fast on the turns.. but imagine if the DIPPER is asphalt .. it's way faster and technical.. and dangerous..hehehehe

Gerard Cancio: It starts of fast and slows down in the middle, but towards the end it picks up again. In terms of technicality, there are only those two right turns to worry about and the rest would be manageable. Not the fastest course and not the most technical, but challenging nonetheless. Definitely some of the most fun I've had freeriding though! Kiko, Harold, Ordep and Ric-Ric would agree I'm sure.

Mathew Angus:  in 10%? I take it 8%



Daryll Jojo:  Since this is my very first race, I would rate it 9/10 in terms of speed and also 9/10 for technicality. 

Kara Marbe:  8 out of 10.

Describe Black Crow Hill in one word. 

Alex Risos: INTENSE!!!

Caloy Sambrano: Babalik-balikan

Kiko Meily: Narrow

Fab Romero: WOW!

Jay Diaz:  Lami!

Nervegasm:   wicked!



Gerard Cancio: if I'd have to describe the hill in one word, it would be "fun".

Mathew Angus:  SICK

Daryll Jojo:  BAKOD!

Kara Marbe:  GNARLY

Describe the whole experience in one word.

Alex Risos: STOKED!!!

Caloy Sambrano: Sarap

Kiko Meily: Fun!!!

Fab Romero: epic


Jay Diaz:  Sulit!  

Nervegasm:   STOKEDD!! 

Gerard Cancio: the whole experience? Sarap. Thank you Ice for an awesome event, thank you Even for sharing your spot, and thanks to all the riders I had fun skating with. Will definitely come back for this next year.

Mathew Angus:  STOKED

Daryll Jojo:  KANAMITON

Kara Marbe: UNFORGETTABLE.

*Aspalto would like to thank everyone who contributed to this article, and to Fab Romero of Local Locos BXU for the images. As a heads up, commenting on this post requires you to log in using your Google account (Gmail). If you wish to instantly get your message posted, we suggest you register at our forum and post there.