San Vicente, Palawan to Host 1st Surfing Festival

The tourist town of San Vicente, Palawan will be holding its first surf competition and Surf Festival (SanVicSurf) in Barangay Alimanguan on February 20-23.

In a press conference, Tonino Habana, one of the founders of SanVicSurf, and president of the United Tourism Enterprise Association of San Vicente (UniTEA) said that surfing activity can now add to the many tourist attractions of San Vicente, aside from the 14.7 kilometer-longest stretch of white beach in the Philippines.

“The surfing community in the country is really excited about new surfing spot,.  Alimanguan in San Vicente is perfect for surfing activity because the nature of the wave, it is not measured by the height but by the strength, ‘yon ang hinahanap ng surfer. It is also the best spot for a surfing beginner”, Habana said.

He added that San Vicente will now officially be part of the surfing tour. This means that kids from the town can advance to qualify for the Philippine national surfing team.

The competition has the usual four categories; men’s longboard; men’s short board; women’s long board; and junior’s long board.

He mentioned during the press con that SanVicSurf has enlisted the help of the Philippine Surfing Championship Tour (PSCT).

The former UK surfing champion Craig Smithurst, as well as the professional surfer Mike Oida, will join the panel of judges.

“We are excited about the surfing personalities that have come forward to help us host this event. Mr. Moida will join our distinguished panel of judges which includes our own resident surfer Craig Smithurst, a former UK surfing champion and winner of several international surfing trophies,” Habana said.

The organizer announced that aside from cash, the prizes for the competition will be the state-of-the-art electric motorcycles provided by Star 8, the international electronic vehicle manufacturer.

This motorcycle type is a good fit for San Vicente because the local government unit, through Mayor Amy Alvarez, wants to promote alternative modes of transportation, which Star 8 offers a higher level of electric vehicles such as electric jeepneys, motorcycles, and tricycles.

The event is not just about surfing, but also a festival that will showcase the cultural aspects of Barangay Alimanguan.

Habana also mentioned that the LGU and barangay will be having several activities on the beach that will entertain the visitors, such as: Palarong Lahi, and Barangay cultural night.

Municipal Tourism Officer Lucy Panagsagan said that this will be an advantage for the community, even to, small tourism players, to showcase their local products and generate more income.

The Sangguniang Bayan of San Vicente will pass an ordinance in order to institutionalize the festival, and the LGU will allocate funds for the event, since Barangay Alimanguan has already passed an ordinance declaring the month of February as surfing month. (LBD/PIAMIMAROPA-Palawan)