A local surf spot, which today is one of the most popular places for surfing in the Philippines, started developing in the early 90's when a group of young surfers got together and started riding the waves in Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union, Philippines. This group of surfers were:
Luke Landrigan, Kali Pfeifer, Ian Saguan, Archie Martinez, Bok Ceballos, Emark Balcita, Francis Amando & Tim Goetsch.
The usual daily (weekend-) routine, sometimes even during the week before school, was to wake and get up before sunrise, check the waves; and if there was even just a little bit of water movement, surfers were out there trying to show off their skills. At the line up, while waiting for a descent wave, everyone was chatting and as soon as a wave started coming in, the conversations abruptly stopped and everyone was just paddling to be on that wave. Everyone "fought the waves" until the stomach "called for feeding". The muscles started aching a little too…. Everyone found "NORMA's Sari-Sari" Store around the corner, where "Aling" (aunty) Norma served inexpensive, simple but good, tasty Filipino food.
After a nice lunch break and chit chat, everyone went back to the shores and either hung out or went back out to surf those waves 'till the late afternoon.
As the beautiful sun set at the horizon and darkness slowly came over the San Juan beach, surfers and spectators went in for a quick shower and to rest.
The evening started off with a nice dinner. A controlled bonfire, fresh laughter's, guitar sound and singing, wave-breaking sound and the clang of "cheering" beer bottles were now "in charge" to give way for the enjoyment of the youngsters free life-style.
When the all noises calmed and only the sound of breaking waves were to hear, that was the time when finally everyone was in dreamland.
During the rainy season (about August until late November), when the typhoons help to build up the "real waves", (some) surfers often "skipped" school to enjoy those big waves.
When sometimes the waves at San Juan beach became to strong and dangerous for a "try-out", everyone rushed to "CARILLE", a surf spot about 5 km south of San Juan, that (so called) "Pro's" would love.
Another interesting surf spot near the Bacnotan-UNION cement factory, some 15 km north of San-Juan-beaches, was discovered and is as well a nice serving-place when the San Juan surf spot is some kind of huge.
Summer time (March to June) means "NO WAVES"!
Sadness overcomes a surfer. Alternatively they try to explore other surf locations, in desperate need to ride a wave. As for those who don't have the chance to travel, acceptance of the situation was required and to make the best out of what had to be done; except surfing!
In the mid 90's a few visitors "found" our, a bit "far out" destination, to join us in riding the waves. A group from Baler, Aurora, who are close friends with the La Union-surfers, came also to visit and vice versa. A group of Manila "wannabe-surfers" were fond of driving up to San Juan, La Union on weekends to relax, learn how to surf and experience a surfer's lifestyle.
After some time a noticeable community of surfers evolved and more and more people started visiting San Juan, La Union; now the "paradise for surfers in the Philippines".
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| Photo by: AP | |
Even "our lady-president" Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her daughter show up now and then (she is an excellent surfer), to enjoy the vicinity of La Union and the friendliness of the surfers here. Within this time other surf spots like Baler, Zambales, Daet and Siargao gained attention as additional Philippine surfing destinations.
The surfing community grew and grows rapidly.
Due to this development, contests and events were and are regularly arranged to support the Philippine surfing scene and to make it more popular to others (throughout the world!).
The Philippine Government, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and some private companies were and hopefully will keep being investors of these contests and events.
At present the Philippine Surfing Federation (PSF), the Manila Surfers Association, the Philippine government and some local surf companies are helping to inform almost every part of the globe about this surfing paradise. As the "local surfing scene" continues to grow tremendously. We're attempting to increase and expand in the Philippines, to be one of the best places to visit and to enjoy the friendly people, the nice beaches, the competitions in the very healthy surfing-sports.
By: Tim Goetsch