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Aurora - Surfing in Baler (A Surfer Wannabe's 2nd Surfing Experience at Sabang Beach, Baler Aurora)


Baler is considered as the "birthplace of surfing in the Philippines. It started when Francis Ford Coppola's cult movie classic "Apocalypse Now" was filmed in this quaint town way back in 1979 1976. It is said that the movie crews left surfboards to the people of Baler, they started to learn how to use it and eventually were able to ride the waves. Thus, surfing in Baler was born.


Sabang Beach as a prime surfing site in the Philippines has become Baler’s source of pride alongside its rich history and natural wonders. It's a popular surfing destination among surfers and non-surfers (like me...) because of its distinct long stretch of gray sandy shoreline with crashing waves coming from the Pacific Ocean. The sandy bottom of the beach and the shallow water is also perfect for beginners as you wouldn’t need to worry on being battered and bruised by rocks from underneath whenever you fall off the board. The glassy waves it offer makes it a perfect spot for a gripping surfing experience.


When asked by my instructor if I have tried it before, I simply said yes. Kahit kinakabahan na ako nung makita ko ang waves sa beach. Hahaha!!! I had my first surfing lesson in San Juan La Union just last year, this time I chose Charlie Does for my 2nd try in riding the crazy waves.


In no time, my instructor brought me into the water and instructed me do my thing. Wahhhhh!!!


I was scared at first because I haven't done this for almost a year now. I’m not even sure if I still know how to do it. But once you're there, anything goes! I just told myself, “I can do it! Bahala na!” Hehehe!


After several tries, I was able to stand and balance on the board. Yahoo!!! Di ko pa naman pala nakakalimutan yung natutunan ko sa La Union. Hehehe! It was indeed exhilarating!


Occasionally falling off the board is normal, just do it over and over again. I am so happy that I was able to stand and balance for numerous times. Hahaha! But I still need a lot of practice. Thanks to my instructor for being so patient on me.



Although this is not my first time, it was still a thrilling experience. Riding the waves is truly overwhelming. I did it over and over, until I got tired.


Thanks to my friends for taking the photos and for encouraging me to do it more! One thing I could say, I was stoked!


Where would my 3rd surfing experience be? Hopefully, I would be able to brave the waves of Siargao or Puraran soon! I'm pretty sure, that would be another ultimate Baler surfing adventure!


Charlie Does Surf School
Sabang Beach, Baler Aurora
Rate: PHP 350 per hour

To read my other surfing experiences, click here.



My 4-day "love affair" with Aurora happened last June 11-14, 2011. Here's a series of posts on what transpired during my stay in a province that I quickly have fallen in love with. This is my 4th solo trip and 27th province on my list.
Map By: Wikipedia

33 comments :

  1. kakamiss nga! may araw din sakin yang BAler na yan! =)

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  2. We were supposed to go but hindi lang natuloy tuloy. I wanna surf again!

    Definitely, Maybe

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  3. haay... namiss ko ang surfing sa Baler..

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  4. Sana ma-invite pa rin kita to surf sa Daet & Calaguas Island... I still owe you that pormise... =)

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  5. @Chyng - go na Chyng! Parang La Union lang naman, 7 hours away from Manila... :)

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  6. @♥ joei - go go go! madami pang pwedeng gawin dun aside from surfing... adventures and all... thanks... :)

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  7. @nathalie - i will definitely contact u... hehehe!!! thanks Nathalie... See you soon! :)

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  8. @pack up and drift - balik ka na! enjoy talaga ang waves sa Baler... :)

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  9. @Promding Lagalag - kung kelan man yan, hindi ko na alam.. thanks!

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  10. I'll be visiting Manila by the end this month... Kung gusto mo sumama ka na saakin pagbalik ko saamin... Pag-usapan natin!

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  11. I'll be in Manila by the end of this month... Lets meet and fix our schedules... Pupunta rin naman talaga ko sa Calaguas Island for my research po e...

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  12. @Promding Lagalag - ok noted. this will be an addition to my list.. thanks!

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  13. ang galing! inggit much! I have not yet tried surfing eh! :D

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  14. ilang taon ka na ba mervin..mukhang malapit mo na matapos ung nasa list mo ah.:p

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  15. @tina - try it! i'm sure you'll enjoy it! Thanks Tina! :)

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  16. @Anonymous - di pa naman po... naka 29 out of 80 provinces pa lang ako... still a long way to go... thanks po! :)

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  17. siargao na nga ang susunod dito. galing ah. sunod sunod ang byahe.

    mahirap nga ang surfing pero kung talagang gusto ay nagagawa din.

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  18. Good job! Tama sabi ni Dong, sa Siargao na ang sunod nyan.

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  19. @dong ho - wahahaha!!! surfer wannabe pa lang me... hehehe!!! thanks Dom! :)

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  20. ganda nman d2 at ang sarap mag stay

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  21. Ayos 'to! After basketball and running, I would love surfing to become my 3rd sport. Kaya lang walang dagat dito sa amin sa Bukidnon.hehehe.

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  22. wow! Manood na lang ako. hahaha! I have this fear of the sea, because of a near-death experience...

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  23. maghintay ka baler may araw ka rin skin at mag pictorial galore ako dyan...hahaha....more outfit mag hanap na now na! hahahaa


    I really wanna experience surfing! ka inggit ka naman:(


    Thanks for the travel info and happy blogging!

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  24. @Earl (Suroy Pilipinas) - ay oo nga... landlocked nga pala ang Bukidnon... malapit ka naman sa Siargao eh... dun nalang... hehehe!!! thanks Earl! :)

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  25. @Ding | Explored! - ay ganun ba? skim boarding cguro pwede sayu... thanks Ding! :)

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  26. @SunnyToast - wahhhh!!! tama!!! more outfits to complement the great sceneries... Thanks SunnyToast! :)

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  27. Ohh nakakamiss ang baler! Was there in 2006 pa pero not into blogging and photography yet so puro mukha ko lang ang nasa frames hahaha. Na scaredy-cat din kami sa waves, HUGE!

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  28. @sometimes kim - You'll never run out of things to do in Baler, kaya isa ito sa mga masarap balik-balikan... :)

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  29. Galing naman, Siargao na lang halos natry mo na lahat ng great surfing spots sa atin. Baka next stop mo nyan Australia na o Hawaii :)

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  30. @lakwatsera de primera - thanks Claire! Siargao? Hawaii? Australia? Maybe soon! Hehehe!!! :)

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  31. We also had a good time surfing at Sabang beach last week end! Scary but definitely worth the try!

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Pinoy Adventurista is one of the Top Travel Blogs in the Philippines and the World. In 2013, he visited all the 81 provinces in the Philippines.