Fresh from their win as the Best Tourism Event in Sports and Wellness Category at the Pearl Awards, the La Union Surfing Break has once again gathered thousands of spectators, surfing enthusiasts and tourists from all over the world on its 7th successful year.
La Union Surfing Break, which is held at Urbiztondo, San Juan, is one of the biggest surfing and sport event in the country. From surfing competitions for the professionals, surfing clinics for the beginners and various sports like mixed martial arts and beach volleyball inland, this event is open to everyone who loves riding the waves and anyone who just wants to have fun.
The Department of Tourism, with the help of the locals and surfers, spearheaded the affair and were first to conceptualize an event during the rainy season. La Union has always been a surfer’s paradise, thus the conception of the La Union Surfing Break.
At its first year, roughly 200 hundred people attended the event. Now on its 7th year, the crowded beach that composed of thousands of revelers and 500-600 new surfers who rode their first waves solidified its standing in the Philippines’ major festivals and events.
Perfectly timed during the semestral break of students, this event targeted young people to encourage them of living a healthy and active lifestyle. People from Manila, Baguio and nearby provinces came in droves with their surf boards on their cars and an enthusiastic vibe, for the weekend will only offer two things: relaxation and all night parties.
Though the surfing competition is one of the highlights of the event, the surfing clinics are gaining equal popularity. The waves are tamer in La Union especially at the Urbiztondo area which is perfect for beginners who want to get the feel of the sport first.
Numerous concessionaires and food establishments from the locals to the familiar are lined up along the beach to provide unlimited service to the guests. At night, a party central pops out of nowhere as the guests flock to the beach and party the night away.
Admission to the event is free. Surfing lessons are 400php ($9.7) per session and surf board rental is 200php ($4.8) per hour. Other water sports equipments are also available in the area.
With the success of this year’s Surfing Break, this continually proves that surfing, water sports and an active and healthy lifestyle is definitely more fun in the Philippines!
How to get there:
(From www.launion.gov.ph)
The air conditioned bus firms (Dominion Bus Lines, Philippine Rabbit, Partas, Fariñas, Maria de Leon, and Viron) depart from terminals in Manila every hour. Destinations can either be La Union, Narvacan, Vigan, Laoag or Abra. The City of San Fernando lies 273 km. from Manila, which is about 5 hours by land or 30 minutes by air, and is about an hour’s drive from Baguio City.
Choose Philippines would like to express its appreciation to the Department of Tourism for allowing us to take part in the 7thLa Union Surfing Break. Special thanks to Department of Tourism Region 1 Regional Director Mr. Martin Valera and Mrs. Gay Marie Acacio-Gapas for the invitation and the generous assistance on this trip. Maraming Salamat po!
