KOTA KINABALU: A group of friends paddleboarded for two days to promote sustainable water sports activities.
During the weekend event dubbed as Paddle For Turtle, the group of five friends paddled about 35 kilometres from a resort in Tuaran to another resort, here.
They made stops midway at the Sepanggar and Gaya islands, teaching islanders how to paddleboard and raise marine protection awareness.
Sabah Tourism Board was one of the participating partners in the event.
Paddler Mitch Cini, said that they started the awareness campaign to get people interested in sustainable water sports and to raise funds for the Marine Research Foundation's turtle conservation project.
"The water sports activity in Sabah is transitioning at the moment. The state has its traditional water sports activities that include popular scuba diving, eye-catching parasailing as well as jet skiing.
"Now we are moving towards a more sustainable activity that does not have a significant impact on the environment," said Cini in a statement.
The founder of Waterfly Borneo also added that other sustainable water sports activities are e-foiling, kitesurfing, and windsurfing, among others.
Cini, who is also an Australian residing in Sabah, said these activities have been gaining popularity over the last three years for recreational and fitness purposes.
Sabah Tourism Board chief executive officer Noredah Othman said the state is standing strong in its marine protection efforts and allows tourists to participate in conservation programmes.
"It is essential for us to promote products or activities that enhance the experience of tourists visiting Sabah.
"Sabah has the most beautiful ocean, beaches, and islands. It is our goal to further promote the state water sports activities to visitors while encouraging them to conserve the marine environment."