Filipino surfers show talent at Vans surfing competition

Jaelle Nevin Reyes

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Filipino surfers wowed the crowd and the international judges present in the Vans Coast Thru Life Single and Unattached Classic Single Fin Longboard Invitational in La Union

The meter high waves provided ideal surfing conditions at San Juan beach

LA UNION, Philippines – Filipino surfers wowed the crowd and the international judges present in the Vans Coast Thru Life Single and Unattached Classic Single Fin Longboard Invitational in San Juan beach from February 19 to 21.

After two days of surfing action at the beautiful beach of San Juan, winners were announced for the tiny toes, men’s and women’s categories of the contest during the final beach party at the beach front of Mona Liza point.

Men’s Open Finals

Benito Nerida topped of the finalists from the men’s division Daisy Valdez won the women’s division and RJ Lopez clinched the trophy in the tiny toes category.

Head judge Monty Montell from the Asian Surfing Championship, the region’s surfing governing body, expressed that he was impressed with the skills that the locals exhibited during the event and added that the future looks bright for the local surf scene.

“I’m blown away. I’m sitting with the other judges and we’re watching the tiny toes [category], and they’re ripping on their boards. The guys have an incredible repertoire of maneuvers and skills,” he added.

Women’s Finals

Montell said that in his expert opinion, Filipino surfers would fair well with the international surfing community especially in the classic single fin circuit.

“The talent during the event was at [the same] level of any competition like this worldwide. It’s very refreshing that we can come to a place like this that the people have that kind of talent and skill level. Their ability is just fantastic.”

Meanwhile, men’s champ Benito Nerida stressed in Filipino that getting that crown was not easy due to the level of ability that his co-competitors exhibited during the tournament.

Sobrang hirap dahil lahat ng competitors mo sobrang galing.”

(It was really hard because all of the competitors were equally talented.)

Lastly, Nerida revealed that after winning the local contest he now aspires to someday join international surfing tilts.

“Pangarap ko talaga malaban sa ibang bansa tulad ng Australia. ‘Di ko po masasabi kung kaya ko nang makipagsabayan sakanila pero ibibigay ko lahat ng makakaya ko, kung makakasali ako.”

(My dream is to join international surfing competitions like in Australia. I don’t know how I would fair in that kind of level but I will give my all, if ever I have a chance.)

Contest Results:

Men’s Division

1.  Benito Nerida – PHP 35,000 ($745 USD)

2.  Jay-R Esquivel – PHP 15,000 ($339 USD)

3.  Ian Saguan – PHP 6,000 ($135 USD)

4.  Moro Gandawali – PHP 4,000 ($90 USD)

 

Women’s Division

1.  Daisy Valdez – PHP 20,000 ($452 USD)

2.  Menchie Par – PHP 10,000 ($226 USD)

3.  Azalea Valdez – PHP 6,000 ($135 USD)

4.  Rhea Ventura – PHP 4,000 ($90 USD)

 

Tiny Toes Junior Division

1.  RJ Lopez

2.  Jhenard Fernandez

3.  John Paul Bersamina

4.  Warren Lopez

Nixon Sickest Trick Award Winner:

Men’s Winner:  Jay-R Esquivel

Women’s Winner:  Daisy Valdez

Rappler.com

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