Over 120 of Asia's next crop of up and coming surfer's have arrived in the Philippines ahead of the inaugural La Union International Pro which is set to kick off tomorrow at The Point at Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan. The event comprises a Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 event and a Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 event with all competitors looking to earn points for a spot on the WSL World Longboard Tour and Challenger Series respectively.
Urbiztondo Beach - WSL / Tim Hain
Two surfers who come into the event as ones to watch are Filipino pair Nilbie Blancada (PHL) and John Mark Tokong (PHL) who both have a lot of experience competing in La Union. The last time an international event ran in the Philippines, the Siargao International Surfing Cup, the pair claimed victory, showing they have what it takes when competing on home soil. With 3000 QS points up for grabs, other competitors have a huge chance at rocketing up the rankings and in with a shot at Challenger Series qualification.
"I'm really excited and so happy that there is another WSL event here in the Philippines and especially that it's in La Union," Tokong said. "I've competed here before and spent a bit of time here so it is all really familiar for me and I'm feeling comfortable. It's a really beautiful place with such caring and kind locals so it's a great place for an event. The last event in the Philippines was at my home break and I won it, so I'm feeling pretty confident heading into this event. I'm just looking forward to the action getting underway in the next few days - it should be pumping."
John-Mark Tokong. - WSL / Tim Hain
The event has also attracted over 40 of Asia's best up and coming longboard competitors who are all looking to take a spot on the 2023 WSL World Longboard Tour. The perfect peeling waves at Urbiztondo Beach will offer up great sections for long nose-rides and traditional longboard manoeuvres.
With a promising forecast on hand, event directors are confident competition will get a start tomorrow with either the QS or LQS event.
Urbiztondo Beach - WSL / Tim Hain
The 2023 La Union International Pro QS 3,000 and LQS 1,000 will run at The Point, Urbiztondo Beach in La Union, Philippines, from January 20 - 26.
Competitors Arrive in The Philippines Ahead of Inaugural La Union International Pro
WSL
Over 120 of Asia's next crop of up and coming surfer's have arrived in the Philippines ahead of the inaugural La Union International Pro which is set to kick off tomorrow at The Point at Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan. The event comprises a Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 event and a Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 event with all competitors looking to earn points for a spot on the WSL World Longboard Tour and Challenger Series respectively.
Two surfers who come into the event as ones to watch are Filipino pair Nilbie Blancada (PHL) and John Mark Tokong (PHL) who both have a lot of experience competing in La Union. The last time an international event ran in the Philippines, the Siargao International Surfing Cup, the pair claimed victory, showing they have what it takes when competing on home soil. With 3000 QS points up for grabs, other competitors have a huge chance at rocketing up the rankings and in with a shot at Challenger Series qualification.
"I'm really excited and so happy that there is another WSL event here in the Philippines and especially that it's in La Union," Tokong said. "I've competed here before and spent a bit of time here so it is all really familiar for me and I'm feeling comfortable. It's a really beautiful place with such caring and kind locals so it's a great place for an event. The last event in the Philippines was at my home break and I won it, so I'm feeling pretty confident heading into this event. I'm just looking forward to the action getting underway in the next few days - it should be pumping."
The event has also attracted over 40 of Asia's best up and coming longboard competitors who are all looking to take a spot on the 2023 WSL World Longboard Tour. The perfect peeling waves at Urbiztondo Beach will offer up great sections for long nose-rides and traditional longboard manoeuvres.
With a promising forecast on hand, event directors are confident competition will get a start tomorrow with either the QS or LQS event.
The 2023 La Union International Pro QS 3,000 and LQS 1,000 will run at The Point, Urbiztondo Beach in La Union, Philippines, from January 20 - 26.
Asia
Semifinalists are decided in the Pro Junior divisions, while Quarterfinalists are set in the QS, as Kana Nakashio and Sentaro Sakai make
Kana Nakashio Wins Both Pro Junior and Qualifying Series Events while Roi Kanazawa Claims his First Qualifying Series Victory, and Dhany
Amban Beach Continues to Deliver on Day 4 as the QS Men's and Women's Champions Will Be Crowned Tomorrow while Indonesian and Japanese
Perfect Conditions at Amban Beach for Pro Junior Finals as Kana Nakashio and Cocona Kawase Atop Rankings Again for 2024 while Indonesia's
Ceremony by West Papua Government Officially Opens Inaugural Manokwari Pro as Indonesian Trio Widianto, Hermawan, and Natasya Dominate Day
News
In dramatic fashion, Jack Van Wagoner posted a near-perfect 9.25 in the dying moments to overtake the win from reigning North America
The Hawaii competitor Natalia Wunderlich played ultimate spoiler and earned her maiden WSL Longboard Regional Qualifying Series win at
In arguably the heat of the year already, Richie Cravey received a Morro Rock gem and rode it to its perfect potential for a 10 to move
Monnojo Yahagi and Cocona Kawase take first QS victories, while Sentaro Sakai earns his first-ever Boy's Pro Junior win and Mirai Ikeda
The 2023 WSL Longboard Tour competitor brings his experience to Morro Bay and posted an event-best, 17.40 heat total along with a