Siargao: Leading surfers from the Asia-Pacific and beyond are set to converge on the island for the Siargao International 6000 Surfing Cup, scheduled from October 23 to 31. The event promises to be a thrilling competition with 128 male and 64 female surfers vying for the top prize of USD50,000, approximately PHP2.8 million, in the highest-ranking World Surf League (WSL) qualifying series to be held in the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, the WSL had earlier conducted the World Junior Championships in San Juan, La Union, in January. During a special forum organized by the Philippine Sportswriters Association in Makati City, presidential son and sports ambassador William Vincent Marcos emphasized the dual benefits of the event, stating, “It’s not just for the athletes but for the local communities as well.” Marcos, who shares a personal passion for surfing, highlighted the event as an opportunity to promote sports tourism in the Philippines.
The forum also featured notable figures such as Philippine Sports Commission Chairperson Patrick Gregorio, Isabela 5th District and House Committee on Youth and Sports chairman Rep. Mike Dy, Aurora Lone District Rep. Rommel Angara, and United Philippine Surfing Association president Dr. Raul Canlas. Gregorio underscored the significance of the event in advancing the sports tourism agenda, stating, “This hosting is part of the sports tourism program that we are pursuing. We believe that sports tourism is an economic driver.”
Tournament technical director John Carby, world No. 3 and longboard champion Jay-R Esquivel, and Nildie Blancada of the Siargao Surf Association also participated in the session. Carby praised the world-class status of the event, noting the unmatched hospitality of Philippine surfing destinations like Siargao, Baler, and La Union, which facilitates the hosting of such prestigious events by the WSL.
Gregorio echoed this sentiment, saying, “There’s magic in Siargao, there’s magic in Baler, there’s magic in La Union,” emphasizing the unique allure of these locations for both surfers and tourists alike.
