By Gabriela Baron
There are many good beaches for surfing in the country, such as Siargao or La Union, but there is something incomparable about the place that gave birth to the sports in the Philippines–Baler.
Surfers and surfing enthusiasts alike flock to Baler, Aurora during the dry season where waves are stronger and bigger from May to August—which are perfect for surfing.
History of surfing in Baler
Sabang Beach in Baler, once a sleepy fishing town, is considered as the oldest surfing community in the Philippines.
Its surfing fame started when a scene from the 1979 war film “Apocalypse Now,” was shot in Baler where American soldiers were seen surfing.
After the film was shot in the municipality, the crew left their surfing boards, with locals starting to take interest in the sport.
“Dito nagsimula ‘yung surfing sa buong Pilipinas, ‘yun bang pelikula ‘Apocalypse Now.’ Dito sila nag-shoot sa isang spot dito sa tinatawag na Charlie’s Point, ‘yung mga cast dun, ‘yung mga bida may dalang surf board,” Rolly Bansuela told PTV Digital.
“May isang scene na nag-su-surf habang binobomba ‘yung isang sundalo. After nung shoot nila rito ‘yung mga dala nilang surfboard, mga longboard, mga lumang board, pinamigay na lang sa mga local at isa dun ‘yung kauna-unahang na naging surfer dito si Raul Tolentino, kauna-unahang surfer namin dito sa Baler,” Bansuela, who has been teaching surfing to interested tourists, added.
Want to try surfing?
For starters, surfing can be daunting to learn. But fret not, instructors, like Bansuela, are patient to teach newbies.
“Sa Baler, syempre maraming area na pwede mag-surf. Unang-una, mga beginner dito lang sa beach ‘yun sa bottom buhangin ‘yung ilalim dito sa Sabang Beach,” he added.
How long does it take for beginners to learn surfing? According to Bansuela, it takes around two hours to learn how to stand on a surfboard.
“Sa first timer, syempre inuuna namin ‘yung balancing. Pag magaling kang bumalanse, unang-una ‘yung pagtayo, pag-apak sa board, madali lang… pero pagka-advance ka na dun tayo magtatagal kasi ‘yung alon namin kasi pabago-bago,” Bansuela said.
“Ideal namang surf syempre yung katamtaman lang mga size, two feet, three feet pag medyo mag-a-advance ka na para madali kang matuto,” he added.
Those experienced surfers may try to surf at the Cemento Cobra Reef, according to Bansuela.
“[Pag beginners], mas okay sa buhangin ka mag-surf. Pag magaling ka naman na, sa reef ka kasi ang mga alon dun consistent at tsaka malakas, may current na pwede kang dalhin sa ilalim lalo na pag malakas ang alon,” he continued.
“Punta kayo ng Baler at i-try niyo ang surfing. Sa surfing maraming kang matutunan. It’s more fun in Baler,” he added.
Bill declaring Baler birthplace of PH surfing
A Senate bill seeking to declare the municipality of Baler as the “Birthplace of Philippine Surfing” was earlier filed.
Authored by Senator Sonny Angara, an Aurora native himself, Senate Bill No. 1615 aims to support the development of the surfing community in Baler in order to bolster its local economy and give more jobs to its residents.
-ag