INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - Who says surfing cannot be learned overnight?

Around a thousand people gathered at Bagasbas Beach in Daet, Camarines Norte recently for two days of surfing clinics.

The 2nd Bagasbas Surfing Festival, meant to promote tourism in the province, also held beach volleyball and wall climbing competitions.

Before heading out into the water, participants were taught how to paddle and how to balance properly on a surfboard.

“This year’s festival turned out to be more successful than last year,” said events coordinator Joey Cuerdo. The Department of Tourism has actively promoted this event.

Participants never had the hard time learning how to surf since Bagasbas beach has pure sand bottom, which made it easy for the starters to jump off from the board.

“It has consistent waves anytime of the year and if you’re a beginner, you’re not looking for a perfect barrel but rolling waves, which is nothing to be scared of,” Cuerdo said, adding that a lot of locals are also learning how to surf.

Moreover, he said this early organizers are looking at mounting surfing competitions in time for next year’s festival.

Owen Andrade, president of Bagasbas Surfing Association, said the festival has helped his group a great deal in promoting their passion for surfing

“Our task is to impart our skills to these beginners and so we have prepared ourselves to be efficient instructors,” Andrade said. “As a long time surfer, you will only know the joy and fulfillment of surfing when you try it yourself.”