SEARCHING – PHILIPPINES
Locating cheap transport to find waves in Philippines took a little time. It’s a part of what makes the surfing and surf photography that much more rewarding.
After a three-day-long search for scooters, accommodation and discovering local food markets for supplies. We found a local captain of a 24 ft bamboo boat, he claimed to have knowledge of possible surf breaks.
The cliffs surrounding the islands in the Philippines rise straight up almost horizontally from the ocean. Some formations more fragile than others, top-heavy and washed away at the base by swell and tide.
We finally set off into the ocean, searching for waves. It was humbling to be among such extreme geographic formations.
PRIVATE PARADISE IN PHILIPPINES
Private Paradise in the Philippines
With over 7000 islands, finding private paradise in the Philippines is easy. Of those islands, only around 2000 are inhabited. It’s very cheap to hire a local fisherman or boat and do your own tour of different islands. But, if you are in the main tourist destinations like El Nido you will need a ticket with a licensed operator.
The water is very clear, on a good day it’s visible for at least 10 meters. Most of the islands have beautiful limestone cliffs that rise up hundreds of feet. This makes you feel tiny in comparison whilst you swim among the tropical fish and colorful corals.
This private paradise in the Philippines consisted of a beach hut made from coconut timber and roof sheets. It was positioned perfectly, on an isolated island with nobody in sight.
A dream come true.
PHILIPPINES SURF HISTORY
Philippines Surfing and surf photography has only developed over the last few decades. Compared to other countries like Indonesia, Hawaii or Australia, most Philippine islands were only discovered as surfing destinations during the past 30 – 40 years.
The Beginning
The earliest published discovery, is from a scene out of Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Apocalypse Now’ film from 1979. This scene was filmed in Baler, a small fishing community by the beach in the South-Eastern tip of the Philippines.
After this demonstration of surfing and surf photography, curious locals of Baler were left boards by the film crew. As a result, Baler, became the birthplace of surfing in the Philippines and is still rich with surf culture today.
Further Discovery
In the years to come, surfers Tony Arruza (american) and Steve Jones (Australian) discovered a perfect surf break in the town of General Luna, Siargao. Shortly thereafter they named it ‘Jacking Horse’ which is more commonly known today as ‘Cloud 9’.
It was kept relatively quiet for over a decade, which was a long time in comparison to other internationally exposed breaks at the time.
There was also one other, known by the locals of Siargao as ‘Max Walker’. Max had come to Siargao one December during the late 80’s and passed away four months later in April. He died in his hut in front of the Cloud 9 surf break, the only structure on the beach at the time.
Shortly thereafter, locals discovered from other surfers passing through that ‘Max Walker’ was actually surfer Mike Boyum.
Mike Boyum was responsible for helping set up the original surf camp at the G-Land surf break of Indonesia back in the early 1970’s. These days, the G-land camp is known as Bobby’s Surf camp, still run today by Bobby Radiasa.
By 1992, photos from a trip by surfers John Slater, Taylor Knox and Kevin Davidson John surfaced and really put Siargao on the map internationally. They were taken by surf photographer John Callahan and were published in surf magazines all over the world.
During 1995, Australian expatriates and the General Luna government partnered to create a surfing competition named ‘Siargao Surfing Classic’. This same competition later in 2001, gained more attention as the Governor of Surigao Del Norte called upon the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) to manage the event. This gave the island even more tourism exposure.
Modern Surfing in Philippines
Now, today in 2019, thousands of surfers come to Siargao and Philippines in general for it’s wide range of surf breaks. From beginners to advanced this country has a lot of breaks to offer and even some that still today remain unmarked on international surf forecast websites.
There are many surf breaks all over Philippines if your willing to explore around the high-standing cliff faces and channels.
You just have to do it the old fashioned way and ask the locals nicely.
