SURFING CONTINUES TO SHAPE LA UNION'S MAGNETISM

SAN JUAN, La Union — Australia’s Isla Huppatz and Dane Henry ruled the waves as they emerged champions in the weeklong 2025 World Surf League (WSL) World Junior Surfing Championships that ended on Sunday at Urbiztondo Beach in the Surfing Capital of the North.

Huppatz was crowned women’s world juniors champion after defeating 2023 titleholder Sierra Kerr, also of Australia.

The 18-year-old standout delivered a commanding performance throughout the competition, demonstrating remarkable composure, technical precision and consistency amid La Union’s challenging wave conditions.

In the men’s junior division, Dane Henry of Australia secured the title after outmaneuvering Nadav Attar of Israel in the finals.

His victory capped an impressive season and reaffirmed Australia’s dominance in the sport.

Despite relatively modest wave conditions, Huppatz and Henry transformed each ride into defining moments of skills, grace and confidence. The competition became a showcase of resilience and adaptability as surfers from across the globe battled both elite opponents and the elements.

Local surfers

In a recent Facebook post, the local government of San Juan commended the Filipino surfers who competed in the event, lauding them for carrying the Philippine flag on the international stage.

The post also noted that the Filipino surfers’ passion, courage and determination continue to inspire the next generation of local wave riders.

The local government, likewise, expressed its gratitude to the World Surf League, event organizers, sponsors, volunteers, partner agencies and technical officials who worked behind the scenes to ensure the success of the international sporting event.

Beyond the international spotlight, the championships highlighted the vital role of surfing in La Union’s local economy.

Economic boost

Local surf trainer Ryan Garcia, a resident of Barangay Urbiztondo and one of the area’s most sought-after instructors today, told The Manila Times that sustained efforts by event organizers, together with strong backing from the provincial government, have transformed surfing into a major industry in La Union.

Garcia said continuous training programs and aggressive promotion through social media and mainstream media — particularly community-centered stories — have positioned La Union as one of the country’s premier surf destinations.

These initiatives, he added, have provided livelihood opportunities for local surfers while renewing their ambitions of competing on the world stage.

Meanwhile, Monaliza Leeuben, owner of the renowned Monaliza Surf Point in Barangay Urbiztondo and president of the La Union Resorts and Restaurant Association, recalled the humble beginnings of surfing tourism in the province.

She said the first surf resort in La Union was built in 1980 using nipa materials, at a time when no other resorts existed along the coastline.

Leeuben noted that surfing has always been the primary reason tourists choose to stay in La Union, drawn by its powerful waves and pristine beaches.

Her parents, originally from Germany, eventually made the province their home after falling in love with the place and its people.

She also recalled the challenges that slowed tourism growth over the decades, including the devastating 1990 earthquake, periods of unstable peace and order, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

While tourism is now steadily recovering, Leeuben warned that unchecked development — particularly the construction of high-rise buildings — could threaten the delicate environmental balance essential to maintaining La Union’s world-class surf conditions.

She urged the government to institutionalize safeguards to prevent developments that could compromise air quality, coastal balance and the natural factors that make Urbiztondo one of the country’s top surfing destinations.

For now, she said, sustained support for young and aspiring surfers remains crucial to preserving both the sport and the community that depends on it.

More competitions

Following the conclusion of the World Junior Championships on Jan. 18, the international surfing spotlight remained in San Juan as the World Surf League Longboard Tour Qualifying Window opened on Jan. 19 at the Monaliza Point in Barangay Urbiztondo. It will culminate on Jan. 26

The back-to-back competitions sustained visitor arrivals and reinforced La Union’s capacity to host world-class sporting events.

La Union’s rise as a global surf destination traces its roots to the early 1980s, when surfing gained traction through foreign surfers, notably Australian Brian Landrigan, who introduced the sport and established one of the area’s earliest surf resorts. His efforts inspired Filipino pioneers such as Dennis De Jesus and Clemente Villanueva, who helped build and sustain the local surf community.

Urbiztondo Beach eventually became the heart of the province’s surf scene, known for its accessible and consistent waves, particularly during the amihan or northeast monsoon season. The steady influx of surfers spurred a tourism boom, leading to the growth of surf schools, accommodations and restaurants that transformed San Juan into a major Northern Luzon getaway.

Officially promoted by the provincial government as the Surfing Capital of the North, La Union continues to strengthen its reputation through events such as Surfbreak and international competitions like the WSL, proving that its waves not only shape the shores of the province, but also the people’s livelihood, culture and global recognition.

2026-01-20T16:21:42Z