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![Rafting Davao River's White-Water with Wild-Water Sonny](/2013/aug/river_rafting/thumbnails/river_rafting.jpg)
Rafting Davao River's White-Water with Wild-Water Sonny
Location: from Tamugan to Lacson (13 kms), Davao City, Philippines
Davao Wild Water
It was a promise of another adrenaline-rush when I got an invite from Sonny to join his guests for a day of white-water rafting along the upper Davao River through his outdoor tour company, Davao Wild Water.
Safe at All Times
The day started out at the Crocodile Park with the other guests where we got our helmet, vest and sat-in for an orientation. It consisted of a video feature and talk about do's and dont's in the water. More importantly, the guides managed our expectations. They discussed what might happen and what to do. We expected a capsizing, but the guides made it clear that we are safe at all times. They showed us what to do if we're thrown into the river. With that, there was no panic when the raft actually capsized. Without the orientation, you're likely to feel you're about to meet your maker...and then you may panic. It's like a roller ooaster ride - it scares the shit out of you, but you know you're safe at all times. Good job guides!
![Rafting Davao River's White-Water with Wild-Water Sonny](/2013/aug/river_rafting/images/rafting_map.gif)
Ask Sonny
The land trip took us along a mountainous road where Sonny stopped a few times to buy durian, mangosteen and other snacks (which he distributed to everyone). He even stopped to check-out a curious-looking berry he saw on a shrub. En route, he explained to us the agri side of durian, bananas, citrus fruits (strains, varieties, challenges), the global demand for Davao's agri exports, invasive species that wreak havoc on Davao's fruit produce, etc. I enjoyed picking his brains - he knows a lot.
White Water Rafting
Arriving at Tamugan, the rafts were put on the river and we were off to an exhilarating white-water adventure. We braced ourselves as we were thrown right, left and overboard running through the tempestuous wrath of Davao River. We paddled, we got soaked, we got banged into each other, we fell on top of each other, we kept afloat while drinking river water after capsizing, etc. This adventure was chock-full-of-fun!
Pictures and Videos
After 3 hours navigating through 13 kilometers of wild water river, it was over, just before it got too much. The van was there at the pick-up point and the guests had enough time to take a shower and freshen-up before heading back to Crocodile Park in time for the afternoon show. The fun didn't end there. The guests were given a dvd copy of the entire adventure (pictures and videos), t-shirt and coupons. What takes the cake is the dvd copy - the still shots were excellently framed on high resolution. The videos captured the rush of the moment. The guides knew exactly where they had to position themselves to get the best shot. Great job!
Ending Thoughts
Wow! That was a lot of fun. My host wears many hats - Crocodile Sonny, Wild Man of Mindanao, etc. After today, he just added one more - Wild Water Sonny! Thank you Sonny for another memorable day.
--- TheLoneRider
ps - If you want me to objectively cover your activity for this website (river rafting, mountain climbing, rock climbing, etc.), email me.
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Reader Comments:
![Consolacion Zaldivar](/images/thumb/neneng_zaldivar.jpg)
![Philippines](/images/flag_philippines.gif)
(Sep 27, 2013) Well .. he (Sonny Dizon) built the Crocodile Farm which is now a tourist spot, the Maxima Resort with its aqua adventure sports, the Wild Water Rafting which you featured here in your blog, and I heard, he also has this resort in Digos. Although he may have profit as his primary objective (as most businessmen), he stil has done a lot for Davao: employing perhaps a hundred; bringing in tourist money; improving the Davao scenery. All of these has in one way or another, directly or indirectly, improved the lives of the Davaoenos.
![Bam Bi](/images/thumb/bam_bi.jpg)
![Philippines](/images/flag_philippines.gif)
(Aug. 31, 2013) Inggit ako!!!
![Jackie Garcia Dizon](/images/thumb/jackie_garcia_dizon.jpg)
(Aug. 31, 2013) Great article, Gigit, I love it! Thank you! I'm glad you had a great time... River rafting is really always an awesome experience.
![Philip Dizon](/images/thumb/philip_dizon.jpg)
(Aug. 31, 2013) You wrote it as it is.. Tnx Gigit!
Next stop: Full Body-Cavity Search without the Latex
Tour Package - Php 2000 per person
- transportation (from Crocodile Park to Rafting Area and back)
- packed lunch & bottled water
- use of gears & equipment
- raft guide
- souvenir shirt
- documentation (2 discs per group of 6)
- ticket to Zip City, Tribu K'mindanawan & Butterfly House
- note: trasnfer to ZIP CITY not included
FYI / Tips
- bring a dry sac (in case you really want to bring some stuff with you on the raft - otherwise, you can leave it in a safe place at Crocodile Park)
- wear shoes that you can wet - don't wear flip-flops
- remove your watch, necklace, sun glass or even rings - you'll liable to lose them when you get tossed all over
- it'll get hot - wear a sun block
How to Get to Davao Wild Water
- Davao Wild Water is inside the premises of the Crocodile Park. Best is to cab it, but if you're taking a jeep, take a jeep bound for Ma-a and ask the driver to drop you off the habal-habal station for Crocodile Park, P12/pax, 30 min
- take a habal-habal all the way to the Park, P30/pax, 10 mins
Davao City, Philippines
![tourist attractions in Davao City](/images/icon/travelinfo.gif)
D'Bone Collector Museum - museum with animal skeletons and preserved animals from around the world
![hotels in Davao City](/images/icon/hotel.gif)
Bahay ni Tuding - central Poblacion location, wifi, hands-on owner
160 San Pedro Street, 8000 Davao City
0947 361 3544 | 7°03'57.6"N 125°36'28.3"EThe Pinnacle Hotel and Suites - central location, new management, newly renovated
Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City 8000, Philippines
(+63) 932-8708621 | 906-3185885 | 7°04'34.2"N 125°36'54.2"EThe Apo View Hotel - Davao's iconic hotel, old world charm, casino
150 J. Camus Street, Davao City Philippines 8000
+63 (82) 221-6430 to 40 | 7°04'09.2"N 125°36'27.4"ENorth Zen Basic Spaces - great rooms at affordable prices
Sobrecarey St. (corner Lapu-Lapu St.), Davao City, 8000
(082) 295.3997 | 7°04'43.0"N 125°37'04.3"EUrban Living Zen Hotel - newly opened - all NEW!
F.s. Dizon Bacaca, 8000 Davao City
(082) 287 3133 | 7°05'28.4"N 125°36'22.3"EThe Royal Mandaya Hotel - heart of downtown Davao City
J. Palma Gil Street, Davao City, 8000
(+63 82) 225.8888 | 7°04'09.4"N 125°36'36.8"EAlu Hotel Davao - central downtown location
M. Roxas Avenue corner Padre Faura Street, Davao
+63 82 227 5232 | 7°04'07.7"N 125°36'51.7"EOne Oasis Davao - hotel accommodation in a condo unit
Eco-west Drive, Ecoland, Davao City
suki_tac@yahoo.com | 0925.500.3211 | 7°02'49.2"N 125°35'19.1"E
![van rental in Davao City](/images/icon/bus.gif)
Apollo Van Rental - Davao City tour, Samal Island tour, airport transfer
0925.500.3211 | suki_tac@yahoo.com
![yoga in Davao City](/images/icon/yoga.gif)
Yoga Davao - yoga and pilates
Palos Verdes Country Club, Talomo, Davao City, Philippines
0922 897 7779 | 7°06'01.9"N 125°35'54.9"EHoliday Gym and Spa - yoga | spa | gym | salon
F. Torres St., 8000 Davao City
(082) 222 3041 | 7°04'54.0"N 125°36'32.8"ELounge One Yoga Davao - yoga & pilates
Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher Training. Nov 2016-Jan 2017. 200, 300 & 500 Hrs
at North Zen Hotel - Lapu-lapu St. cor Sobrecary St., Obrero
0933.518.6128 | °7°04'43.0"N 125°37'04.3"E
![food tour in Davao City](/images/icon/tour.gif)
Mel's Davao Food Tour - a culinary odyssey to Davao's gastronomic specialties
Bahay ni Tuding Inn & Resto, San Pedro Street 8000 Davao City
0947 361 3544 | 7°03'57.6"N 125°36'28.3"E
![food in Davao City](/images/icon/restaurant.gif)
![cafes in Davao City](/images/icon/cafe.gif)
Bistro ni Tuding - Gerry's Picks Dishes
inside Bahay ni Tuding Inn, 160 San Pedro Street, 8000 Davao City
0947 361 3544 | °7°03'57.6"N 125°36'28.3"ELe Cafe Bar & Grill Restaurant - budget meals, payday dinner buffet
M. Roxas Avenue corner Padre Faura Street at Alu Hotel
+63 82 227 5232 | °7°04'07.7"N 125°36'51.7"EFROG Kaffee - fresh roasted coffee in small batches
Prime Square, F. Torres St., Davao
(082) 224 4044 | °7°04'54.3"N 125°36'40.6"E
![autism in Davao City](/images/icon/advocacy.gif)
Shine Life Skills Center - a home for 13+ with Autism, Down Syndrome, Mental Disorders and Disabilities
9 Orchid Road, Buhangin, Davao City, Philippines 8000
+6382 222 2556 | °7°05'55.9"N 125°36'59.6"ECinematheque Davao - venue for classic and contemporary Filipino films
Palma Gil Street, Davao City, Philippines
cinemathequedavao@fdcp.ph | °7°04'11.0"N 125°36'33.3"E
Great Things Going for Davao City
- one of the cleanest potable water in the country
- smoking is banned from commercial establishments
- pineapple samurais are endemic here and nowhere else in the country (pineapple vendors who cut-up whole pineapples into chunks with just a few strokes of their carving knives)
- public utility drivers conspicuously display their IDs
- durian Mecca of the Philippines (not to mention Marang, Mangosteen and Sweet Pomelo)
- you want to add some more? please submit on the form below
Not So Great Things Going Against Davao City
- the weighing scale of fruit vendors specially the durian push cart vendors are a blatant cheat - showing almost twice the actual weight
Davao Related Articles
- Revisiting Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- A Roof Over my Head in Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- Davao Yoga Scene Oct 31, 2016
- Pranayama Oct 24, 2016
- Yoga Beyond the Mat Oct 21, 2016
- Grilled Tuna Overload in Davao Oct 13, 2016
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- There was a Bomb Explosion? Sep 30, 2016
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- The Fabulous Dabawenyos Aug 22-Sep 26, 2016
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- Hatha Flow Yoga with Joanna Lizares Co at Holiday Spa and Gym Aug. 31, 2016
- Conducting a Power Yoga Class at Yoga Davao Aug 29, 2016
- Good Eats with Mel Pangan's Davao Food Tour Aug 26, 2016
- Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Aug 25, 2016
- A Gifted Dell Laptop from the Usual Suspect Aug. 24, 2016
- The Duterte Phenomenon Oct 21, 2015
- 20 Days in Davao City July 4- 24, 2014
- Goodbye Davao...Again! Sep 28, 2013
- Wine and Cheese at Malagos Farm House Sep 27, 2013
- Custom-made Peanut Butter at Davao City's Bankerohan Market Sep 27, 2013
- Yoga in Davao Sep 26, 2013
- Celebrating 25 Years of Habitat for Humanity Philippines Sep 18, 2013
- Clobbered in a Vicious Karate Match Sep 17, 2013
- Back Into the Black Sep 1, 2013
- No Reply Aug 30, 2013
- Full Body-Cavity Search without the Latex Aug 25, 2013
- Fun Day with Crocodile Sonny and Sports Unlimited Dynamic Duo, Dyan Castillejo and Marc Nelson Aug 15, 2013
- Fun! Fun! at Maxima AquaFun, Samal Island Aug 11, 2013
- Goodbye Davao Jan 22, 2013
- Davao City's Peace and Order Jan 21, 2013
- Holiday Spa Yoga, Davao City Jan 20, 2013
- Free Yoga at People's Park Jan 12, 2013
- Davao City: Family Ties Dec 15-22, 2012
- Breakup Diaries: Chance Encounter in Davao City Dec 19, 2012
- Davao City June 20-23, 2009
- Davao City March 18-20, 2008
- Mount Apo March 15-18, 2008
Currency Converter
Rafting Blogs by TheLoneRider
- Rafting Davao River's White-Water with Wild-Water Sonny Aug 25, 2013
- River Rafting Cagayan de Oro River with Great White Rafting Co. Mar 7, 2013
- Braving the Tocucan Waters with Peter Loebach Sep 20, 2006
- White Water Rafting Along the Chico River Aug 6, 2006
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