10 International surfers and 13 of our very own Pinoy waveriders convened at the mighty Majestics reef break in Puraran, Catanduanes with their eyes on the top prize -- a whopping US$2,000.
After days of intense competition the results are as follows:
Internationals:
Champ: Mark Matthews. AUS
1st RU: Ryan Hipwood. AUS
2nd RU: Evan Faulks. AUS
3rd RU: Rodolfo (Osot) Alcala. SIA/RP
Nationals:
Champ: Dionisio (Dodo) Espejon. SIA
1st RU: Rodolfo (Osot) Alcala. SIA
2nd RU: Martin Taniegra. SIA/CAT
3rd RU: Arnel (Basyong) Hermosura. LU
The circuit has now moved on to Guiuan, Samar.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Next Stop, Eastern Samar
The Philippine Surfing Championship Tour keeps its momentum going as it takes the tour back to Eastern Samar. There were more than few grumbles as this previously secret spot was exposed to the surf scene. But what was unfamiliar territory last year has proven to be the perfect spot to nurture a surf community along Eastern Samar's pristine coastline.
On October 18 to 21, 2006 the Philippine Surfing Federation, the Municipality Guiuan, Eastern Samar and the Provincial Government Of Eastern Samar, in cooperation with the Department Of Tourism, Region VIII launch the second Eastern Samar Surfing Crown.This will be the fourth leg of this year's Philippine Surfing Championship Tour, which recently wrapped up exciting International and National shortboarding competitions held at Majestics in Catanduanes last October 5 to 12.
Surfers from all over the Philippines will reconvene along the largely unexplored reef break to challenge the left and right breaking waves of Calicoan. Last year's event drew spectators from neighboring towns, with special interest coming from the young children who were given a chance to avail of free surf clinics. It is expected that this year's event will draw an even larger number of future shredders.
Showing the way are local surfers from Siargao, Baler, La Union and Catanduanes. Will Siargao waverider Dodo Espejon, who squeaked by to win in a heart-stopping 2005 finals, be able to defend his title? Or will another charger slash his way to the top to claim victory? Nobody knows. With the rise in talent among the Filipino surfers, it really is anybody's ball game.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Press Release: 8th Siargao National Surfing Cup
THE NORTH SWELL SEASON BEGINS IN SIARGAO
Calling all surfers, surf fans, and beach bums out there! The winds are changing. The south swell has come and gone. The northerly winds of Amihan are picking up. And the swell is building along with the excitement! The 2006 surf circuit which took a break after the 10th Aurora Cup is picking up again with its second leg in picturesque Siargao island, hailed as the surfing capital of the Philippines. This year marks the 2nd year of the Smart Philippine Surfing Championship Tour which kicked off in Baler, Aurora last February. The second leg, the 8th Siargao National Surfing Cup is slated for September 14 to 18 at Cloud 9.
This year marks a decade of the surf industry in Siargao. As the years have passed, breaks on the island have grown in popularity. The right-handed barrels of Cloud 9 have become synonymous to Siargao. From the first International and National competitions in 1996 and 1997 respectively, Siargao Island is now THE destination to go to for a world-class surf experience.
What started out small dry run event is now a tradition where Filipino surfers use Cloud 9 and Siargao as the measuring stick to test their skills against the best local Filipino surfers and international professional surfers.
Much of the success of these events can be credited to the hard work of the local government of General Luna, which has been a staunch supporter of the growing surf scene. The local surfers as well have benefited from the tourism that the industry has drawn to the island. And, in the last year and a half the Philippine Surf Federation has stepped up to cultivate and create a truly Filipino surfer athlete through the Philippine Surfing Championship Tour.
The 8th Siargao National Surfing Cup will give surfers from all over the Philippines the opportunity to win cash prizes, and compete against the most seasoned Filipino wave riders. A total of Php200,000 is up for grabs this year as the most anticipated leg of the surf season kicks-off.
To bring more color to the event, nightly tropical beat disco with live-band, bikini open, free surfing clinic, island tour, and battle of the bands will be among the exciting features. Another highlight of this festivity is the Siargao Girls Beach Volleyball (inter-school /university) which is open to all interested teams.
Immediately following the national competition is an International surfing competition from September 25 to October 1 where the Top Twelve local surfers will be seeded into the international heats. Alongside their countrymen will be four wild cards - locals who will go through the gruelling qualifying rounds to secure a slot in the internationals - bringing the total to 16 Filipinos competing in a much-anticipated international event.
Brought to you by the Philippine Surfing Federation, the Department of Tourism, Smart Communications, Inc., the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, San Miguel Corporation, Asian Spirit Airlines, Maui and Sons Company, the local surfing associations and the Provincial and Local Government Units of General Luna, Siargao island.
For more information:
http://surfpinoy.blogspot.com/ or www.surfthephilippines.com
e-mail address: psftour@gmail.com / zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph
Siargao: Photo Releases
Siargao's Osot Alcala, chilling in the shade. Osot is the lone Filipino surfer that made it to the semi-finals of the Quiksilver Open, the 12th International Siargao Surf Cup.
Last year's champion Ryan Agustein making his way out of the Green Room.
Ryan Hipwood snaps, barrels and shreds his way to the championship.
To contact Kage Gozun for photography services or purchase of stock images, please leave a message on her online photo gallery Girl Meets Camera.
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