Welcome
to Travel+Experiment!
If
you want to try the experience on how to surf, enjoying the waves and exploring
the surf rides, you can start planning your trip going to San Juan, La Union. San
Juan is considered to be the Surfing Capital of the Northern Philippines, the
closest surf spot from the capital and is known for its consistent intermediate
quality surf and two surfing seasons from July to October and November to
March. For starters, this is the entry point to the surf spots of the Ilocos
region. Beginners love this area known for its peeling waves, short rides
and have dozens of surfing areas waiting to be explored.
Learning
to surf here is very inexpensive compared to other surf spots around the world.
And although it is quite commercialized, the surf turf is still run by
locals, which makes all the difference. The town’s surfers have organized
themselves into a club, and they give lessons to pretty much everyone they talk
to. There are surf schools and tutorials for every level. For the record, these
are the top rated surf spots in the Philippines: Siargao, Pagudpud, San Juan,
Baler, Zambales, and Samar.
Destination:
Introducing San Juan, La Union!
How to get there:
By
Car from Clark Freeport Zone
San
Juan, La Union is a five to six hours drive from Clark Freeport Zone. You may
take the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) going to Tarlac to lessen the
travel time. After you exit SCTEX, just follow the national hi-way (Mac Arthur
Hi-way) until you reach the province of La Union and the capital San Fernando
City. From the city is another 30-minute drive to the boundary of San Juan.
Still along the national hi-way, you will see plenty of signage directing you
to the surfing area.
By
Car from Manila
Take
the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) then connect through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac
Expressway (SCTEX) and then connect to the new Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union
Expressway (TPLEX), exit at Carmen Temporary Toll Plaza under the Carmen overpass
in Pangasinan and turn left following Carmen-Poblacion Rosales Road (Tumana,
Rosales), turn right to Teofilo Sison Bridge going to Villasis, Pangasinan, and
follow the National Highway (MacArthur Highway) through Pangasinan and then La
Union.
Another option after Carmen TPLEX Exit is through the Magilas Trail in Sta. Maria and exit at Binalonan, Pangasinan bypassing the busy towns of Villasis and Urdaneta going through La Union.
Another option after Carmen TPLEX Exit is through the Magilas Trail in Sta. Maria and exit at Binalonan, Pangasinan bypassing the busy towns of Villasis and Urdaneta going through La Union.
When
you reach Rosario - the first town of La Union, turn left at the Rosario
junction. (The road on the right is the way up to Baguio City). You will be
passing by the following towns; Sto. Tomas, Agoo, Aringay, Caba, Bauang, San
Fernando City then San Juan.
By Bus from Manila
Take the Partas Transport
Bus going to Laoag Ilocos Norte. It is one of reputable bus companies that drop
passengers in San Juan town. It has hourly bus service 24/7 in Cubao and Tramo,
Pasay City terminals. It takes 6-7 hours with its various stopovers along the
way. Cost is around 400.00 pesos one way fares, air-conditioned. Make sure to
tell the driver or the conductor that you are going to Urbiztondo, San Juan La
Union so they can stop right in front of the beach resorts. From the point
where the bus drops you off, you cross the road to the other side to walk to
the entrance. The alternate route is to travel from Manila to San Fernando
(next town) by bus and then take a short jeep ride to San Juan at 9.00 pesos.
Other
buses that operate in the area from Manila are Dominion Bus Lines, Fariñas
Trans, Maria de Leon, Viron Transit, Sta. Lucia and Florida which leaves Manila
terminals every hour. Take a bus bound for Laoag, Vigan, Abra or San Fernando
City - La Union. Jeepneys, tricycles, mini-buses, and rent-a-vans are the mode
of transport within the province.
Going Back to Manila
Going Back to Manila
To
go back to Manila, you can wait for buses along the highway which runs parallel
to the beach. But take note that you could wait for a long time as not all
buses use this road. If you want to secure a seat, you can alternatively take a
jeepney to the next city of San Fernando. Here you will find buses heading to
Manila and ask to be dropped off at the San Fernando City Bus Terminal, located
on Quezon Avenue.
Surf Spot Information
San
Juan is the heart and primary surf beach in La Union and second municipality in
the province of La Union, Philippines. It is perfect from beginners to advanced
surfers. On the beachfront are many affordable surf resorts and hotels, bars,
restaurants you can choose from, and many of them are beachfront, surf shops
and surf schools where board rental is also available. Surfing lesson rates
starts at 300-400.00 per person/hour, inclusive of board rental and a private
instructor. There are also environment friendly activities surfing, scuba, snorkeling,
kayaking, beach volleyball and skim boarding.
Seasons
The
best surfing season is from October until March where the beach becomes a
tourist hot spot attracting surfers and tourists from all over the globe. An
annual surf festival is also held every October for a weekend of beach parties
and surfing competitions.
Surfing
Lessons (cited in San Juan Surf School)
Upon
taking surf lesson, the instructor will provide the basic surfing lesson. They
also provide wet suit for every student who takes surfing lessons. The
instructors will orient you with the parts of the surf board, safety
precautions, how to paddle, how to duck dive and how to stand properly on the
board.
Lesson
1: Surfing Dos and Don'ts
o
Alcohol: Surfing under the influence
is not a good idea. Save the drinking for the after-surf bragging session at
your local.
o
Be Aware: Be aware of other surfers
and water users, of the surf conditions, and of where you are surfing.
o
Comfort Zone: You should surf in
waves that you are comfortable with. Don't get in over your head.
o
Fitness: Make sure you are
physically fit when surfing. You need to be able to swim back to shore if you
lose your board at the end of an exhausting session - no mean feat in a 3 meter
swell.
o
Food: As with swimming, do not go
surfing for at least 45 minutes after a meal.
o
Fun: Surfing is all about having
fun; keep it in mind when you are out in the waves.
o
Hold or Throw: Know when to hold on
to your surfboard and when to get rid of it. If you are paddling out, then keep
hold of your board. You'll get back to the lineup more quickly, and you'll not
put anyone paddling out behind you at risk. If you are about to wipe out, get
rid of your board. You are far more likely to sustain an injury if you and your
board are getting washed around together.
o
Patrolled Beaches: If you are
surfing on a patrolled beach, make sure that you keep within the designated
surfing area. Take note of where you should be surfing before you go out, and
make sure you stick to it when you are out.
o
Priority: Always make sure that you
are not taking anyone else's wave. Remember that the surfer who is closest to
the breaking wave has priority. If you see someone already on a wave, then the
wave is considered to be taken, and you'll have to wait for the next one.
o
Practice: If you want to improve then
you need to be in the water surfing as regularly as possible. No one gets
better at anything by staying home and watching T.V.
o
Respect: Respect the locals if you
are visiting a beach. Remember that you are a guest and that waves should be
shared.
o
Sun Block: Always wear a good waterproof
sunblock. You'll know how important it is if
you have been out for a few hours surfing in the sun without it. Also, if you
are not wearing a wet suit, it is a good idea to wear a UV-proof long
sleeve rash vest for body protection.
o
Surf Buddy: Always surf with at
least one other person. Not only will you have more fun if you are sharing your
waves, but you'll always have someone to help you out if you need it.
o
Surf Conditions: Make sure that the
surf is safe before you go in. If you are going surfing at a spot you are
unfamiliar with it, is a good idea to get some advice from a local. Check out
the surf spot while warming up.
o
Warm-up: Always have a quick warm-up
and stretch before entering the surf. This will reduce the risk of muscle
injury or cramp while you're surfing. It also gives you time to check for any
rips or where the best spot to catch waves is.
Lesson
2: Learning How to Catch Waves
Now,
there are a few different approaches to catching a wave, and most of the time
it begins with lying on your board in the sand and practicing what is called
the 'pop up'. Popping up is the term used where the surfer has caught the wave
and goes from the paddling position, lying on top of board, to a standing,
upright position.
o
Take a moment to master sitting on your
board, too. While you're doing this, make sure you're always facing the waves –
never turn your back on something that could seriously injure you. Anytime
you're waiting for a wave, keep facing the horizon.
o
Just as the wave is about to reach
you, push the surfboard towards the beach and, at the same time, pull yourself
on to the board so that you're lying flat on top of it.
o
When you are lying balanced on top
of your surfboard, paddle with both arms as the wave approaches from behind.
o
Keep paddling as the wave starts to
pick you up. You should feel the board rise in the water as the wave picks you
up, and you'll feel an increase in your speed as the wave starts to take you.
With a bit of luck you'll have caught your first wave.
Lesson
3: Learning to Paddle Your Surfboard
During
this lesson we're going to have a look at both paddling and how to position
yourself on your surfboard when paddling. Don't worry about all of the incoming
waves crashing into you and washing you back on to the beach like a piece of
driftwood.
It
takes a little time to find the most comfortable position, and it will depend
on your height and weight, and also the length of your surfboard. A longer,
wider board makes this lesson much easier.
o
Position your body weight along the center
of the board.
o
Raise your feet slightly off the end
of the board.
o
Maintain your body far enough back
to keep the nose of the board about a couple of inches out of the water, but
not so far back that you create too much drag.
Lesson
4: Learning How to Duck Dive
Duck
diving is the way that a surfer dives under an oncoming wave as he or she
paddles out to the lineup. Ducking under the wave ensures that all the progress
made by paddling out is not lost by being washed backwards by the wave. The
bigger the waves or the more frequent the waves are, the more important it
becomes to be skilled at duck diving. The thing to aim for is to get both you and
your surfboard as far beneath the oncoming waves as possible, to recover
quickly when you have passed under the wave, and then to return to paddling
out.
Lesson
5: Standing Up
Start
angling your board. Here’s how:
o
Keep your knees bent at all times.
This will lower your center of gravity and assist you in keeping your balance
on the surfboard.
o
On a long board, use the rear
section of your board to turn. If you lean too far forward, the rail will dig
and you'll be off in no time.
o
Stand with your dominant foot on the
middle of the board and your back foot about 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 m) away
from the back of the board.
o
Push your hips forward to transfer
your weight onto the front leg. Your back leg should dip in slightly to make
your stance more comfortable and give you more style.
Lesson
6: Position on Your Surfboard and on the Waves
Positioning
is extremely important when it comes to surfing. If your feet are not
positioned correctly, you'll fall off or not be able to make decent turns. If
you're not in the correct position when paddling for or catching waves, then
you'll not be able to keep up the momentum necessary to ride the wave.
Foot Position
Foot Position
Placing
your feet into a good position as soon as you get up is desirable so you can
get straight into your surfing. Your feet should be about shoulder width apart
and feel comfortable to you. If you plan to be a long board rider, then you'll
find that the position of your feet will be changing from one moment to the
next as you run up and down your board. You will find that as you develop your
surfing, your feet will be moving into different positions for the different
maneuvers you are trying.
Body Position While Surfing
Keep your body slightly crouched to lower your center of gravity. You'll probably find that you have your arms out wide to aid with balance which is great. Keep your knees bent at all times; riding a wave can be a bumpy ride. Your body will be turned to the side (which you can see from the mystery legs in the picture above) and the top half of your body will be turning to face forward.
Keep your body slightly crouched to lower your center of gravity. You'll probably find that you have your arms out wide to aid with balance which is great. Keep your knees bent at all times; riding a wave can be a bumpy ride. Your body will be turned to the side (which you can see from the mystery legs in the picture above) and the top half of your body will be turning to face forward.
There
are so many activities you can do in San Juan La Union. We have selected the most
interesting activity in the province. It's relaxed, safe, enjoyable and great
fun! Till next time…
Happy
Travels!
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