Siargao world surfing competition begins

9/17/11 - GENERAL LUNA, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines – A huge number of participants, tourists and guests from around the world began converging here last Friday for the start of the 2011 World Junior Surfing Competition.

While competitors officially started their action Saturday, a large number of tourists, both foreign and domestic, and other guests also enjoyed viewing the scenic beauty of this paradise island.

The world junior surfing completion will last up to Oct. 3 this year.

At least 31 surfers from Australia, 31 from Japan, 10 from the United States, Hawaii, Europe, Brazil, South America, Malaysia and Indonesia and eight from various areas in the Philippines participated in Saturday’s contest.

Department of Tourism Undersecretary Ma. Victoria Jasmin is witnessing the biggest world surfing competition here.

The international and national surfers will participate in three categories.

The 13th Siargao National Surfing Cup, to be participated by surfers from all regions in the country, also started Saturday and will run until Sept. 19. This is the pre-qualifying rounds for all Filipino surfers to identify the official representative of the country to the Cloud 9 Billabong Pro Junior Asia and the SMART 17th Siargao International Surfing Cup.

Among the participants expected to top in the finals are surfers from Baler, Aurora, Samar, La Union, and other parts of the country.

The top 12 surfers will be chosen to become the country’s representative to the 17th Siargao International Surfing Cup.

A total of R200,000 is at stake for those who will emerged champions both in the open and junior categories while top Filipino surfers ages 20 and below will officially represent the country in the Billabong Pro Asia championships.

The Billabong Pro Junior Asia Surfing Championships, scheduled on Sept. 20 to 28, will be the first ASP event to run in the Philippines and will be held at the world-class break Cloud 9. ASP Australia General Manager Dane Jordan is excited to make this a landmark event for the region, adding that the ASP and the surfers will show the world what Cloud 9 and the Philippines have to offer.

The Billabong Pro Junior Asia is presented by Sony Ericsson with supporting sponsors Air Asia, Nixon, and Von Zipper. The event is endorsed by the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and DoT. This year’s champion will receive $25,000. (Manila Bulletin)