Surfing break

It all started last year, on a semestral break, when a group of surfers and outdoor sports enthusiasts organized the La Union Surfing Break to promote the sport to the youth.

The reception was overwhelming, with more than 200 participants, mostly students from Manila, Baguio City and other provinces in the North, trooping to Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan, La Union to learn surfing.

Riding on the success of that inaugural event, organizers led by Joey Cuerdo of Power Up, La Union Surf Club, the Department of Tourism (DoT) and the local government units of La Union and San Juan, recently mounted the La Union Surfing Break 2.

Over 3,000 people joined the three-day event, participating in the different beach events such as frisbee, rock wall climbing and beach volleyball, including around 500 neophytes who participated in the surfing clinics.

Spring break, Pinoy style

"The idea is to make it the Philippines’ version of spring break in the US, only more productive," said DoT regional director Martin Valera. "It is timed for the semestral break so students and young professionals can enjoy and participate in activities such as camping, swimming, and bonfire parties. Moreover, it aims to educate people on how to surf properly with the surfing clinics."

Aside from the clinics for beginners, there are also competitions for the best local surfers, Ultimate Frisbee Fun Tournament, Beach Volleyball Competition and Speed Climbing Championship.

hether for amateurs or experts, the waves at San Juan are suitable for surfing, especially within the months of November to February when the waves are relatively consistent and much bigger than the rest of the year.

The three nights of sunset to midnight beach parties were teeming with people. Live bands and club music by Dutch DJ Martijn van Baggem kept the crowd entertained and up to their feet.

La Union is intensively promoting the sport to both foreign and local visitors, and has been pushing for the development of its beaches by concreting parking lots and constructing more public toilets and showers.

More than the thrills

"Surfing is a no-frills sport," said Valera. "Access to the beach is free. So, after learning how to surf here, all you need is a surf board and you’re good to go."

"Through the sport, the youth are given an alternative hobby, while the local surfers get additional income from teaching visitors and tourists," he added.

Likewise, DoT Region 1 is promoting its natural attractions by organizing events that appeal to young people and hold them to some of the region’s popular destinations.

"We would also like to make travelling very affordable by providing them the best and the cheapest way of getting to these destinations," he added.

In San Juan, there are around 18 beach resorts that visitors can choose from. There are also hotels and homestays in nearby Bauang and San Fernando City.

Region 1 is a showcase of natural splendor, of historical past and unique culture. North Philippines is a prime destination not only for those who love outdoors, but also for those who like to discover its illustrious past. Having been strongly influenced by the Spanish and the Chinese for centuries, it is a virtual museum spotted with landmarks and historical structures of beautiful architecture.

The region is a playground for nature lovers, boasting of wide stretches of beaches, scenic mountain ranges and cave systems, treating visitors to a wide array of outdoor and water sports opportunities.

La Union is about a five–hour bus trip from Manila. San Juan is eight kilometers from the provincial capital of San Fernando.