Surfing Waves

I am a Norwegian who go to the Philippines for the first time. The purpose of the trip is to learn to surf and experience the Philippine culture. I will be traveling around for 2 months to places where it is possible to surf. I am a beginner . I've run snowboarding for 15 years without comparison but I have some board control.
My first stop is Manila and wondering where to begin ?
Anybody have any tips on surf camps or surf school ?
I am open to travel with others if there is someone who want to travel with me?
I'm easygoing and laidback guy. I do not require luxury and can comfortably sleep in the hammock with mosquito net for some nights.
I also want to buy me one used surfboard at the start of the trip. Any tips for that ?
The plan is to end trip to Siargao Island. But im open for everything.
My trip starts 19 September. I really appreciate tips.
My email : mortkjaer@gmail.com

Thank you Morten

For Manila you'll want something good for traffic....

Long time since I lived there....I'm interested to hear the suggestions as well.

airplane from Norway landing in Manila. Just wondering about the direction from here. I have read about both La Union and baler . Which place is best for a beginner and is it possible to buy one used board there?

Hi,
You need to get out of Manila as fast as you can, it's a horrible place, seriously. The place you want to go is San Fernando in La Union, you can get there by bus.
Google San Fernando Surf Resort - it's a backpacker style place - not flash. I have only seen the outside but surfed in front of it and most backpackers seem to stay there.
The Philippines apart from Siargao are not really a surf destination - people are supernice everywhere and helpful but there aren't many backpackers at all compared to places like Bali or Sri Lanka. The waves in La Union are soft beachies and good for learning. I haven't seen any boards for sale on La Union and surf infrastructure is non existent. There are a few local surfer but really I surfed alone or with one or to kids on La Union. San Fernando was the only place in that are where there were about 20 in the water. Siargao is beautiful but fickle and the only place with plenty of surf resorts, lots of reef waves, quite shallow. Enjoy and good luck!

Sorry meant to say : SAN JUAN SURF RESORT in San Fernando, that's the place I mean. Start there, they can help you further.

Thank you

Do you know what size used board to get ? Traveling with a longboard will be difficult. Learning on a short board will be more difficult.

In snowboarding you turn by putting pressure on the opposite foot than surfing. And in snowboarding you don't need to "catch" the mountain

i dont know what board to get. but im wondering about going for a fish board 6' 9" - 7' 4" im 82 kg 182cm. I Know snowboarding and surfing is very different.I just said since there are some similarities. do you know where I can buy used board near Manila waikikikichan ? Is there any internet page/forum for used surf boards in the Philippines ?

I'm still waiting for that day when a newbie states that rather than years of skateboarding or snowboarding they were on the swim team, swam sprints and did at least 1500m in the pool each practice session....at least then they'd have some preparation for what they were in for....

Klabber;, if you have never surfed before and you're going to the land of soft waves, I'd not get a super fish at your size and ability. I would definitely get something as big as possible.

thats why im asking question on the forum. so I have good starting point as possible. Thank you for your tips

Klabber wrote:thats why im asking question on the forum. so I have good starting point as possible. Thank you for your tips

Imagine if I asked your type of question on a snowboard forum. Even if I got too big/small of a board, I could still point downhill and I'd still be moving. I could probably try going on a black diamond run gondola lift on my first day ( which I did , squatting on my butt ). If I got tired, i can just go to the side and sit down.

But surfing is different. Surfing is not surfing ( that's why they call it Fishing not Catching ), Surfing is paddling. 90% of the time your paddling. So beginners need a board with a lot of float. Smaller boards are easier to turn, but that comes After you can catch waves. As a beginner you need a bigger board to help you paddle and balance. But it'll be hard traveling with that board in those little Jeepneys. Why don't you take a lesson first, then get advise from your instructor on where to get a board. He has more local knowledge.

waikikikichan wrote:Surfing is not surfing

Cruyffiaans!

I could probably try going on a black diamond run gondola lift on my first day

Yeah right. I maybe asking dumd questions. But that is Just stupid. Everyone can buy a ticket to a gondol.Try hiking in deep snow for 3-4 hours. Ride backcountry i 1 meter new powder snow. Find your line in foggy weather and come down safe the first day.

you dont risk snow avalanche when driving gondola....

You do realize we want you to enjoy surfing and become a good surfer. You are not asking stupid questions, knowledge is power. But if you never surfed before and intend to get a Short ( er) board to learn on, I am worried for you.
But you are a fit athlete and have the will to learn. Just realize hiking for 3-4 hours is mainly lower body strength. Surfing will be more like walking on your hands. Most of my students ask why others schools have a 2 hour lesson, but ours is only for an hour. After 40 minutes when they're begging to go back to the beach, then they realize how hard surfing is. But they have a big smile on their face.

I appreciate all the tips I've received . First stop is San Juan with a longboard

Enjoy it thoroughly Klabber, you listened, and that will make the whole learning progress much easier and quite a bit faster. And warmer than Tromso surf.

Ehi Norwegean mate! where are you atm?

If you are coming to Siargao, you shouldn't miss our surf camp here:

Let me know what you think about!

Cheers,
LUCA
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Go to Siargao. Look for a man named Din. He can shape/sell a board for you. I'm from the Philippines - our surf culture may be young but it's developing quite rapidly. I'm sure you'll have a good time here!