La Union hosts international surfing competition | Sports Desk - video Dailymotion

CNN Philippines

La Union is one of the country's top surfing destinations. But this week, it is the surfing playground for the best of the best in the 2024 WSL La Union International Pro.  Our Pauline Verzosa joins us from La Union.  Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

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00:00 Well, it was an action packed day one here in the 2024 WSL La Union International Pro.

00:06 Earlier, the sun was out, waves were pumping and surfers showed what they've got

00:11 in the return of this much awaited competition.

00:13 100 surfers from around the world gathered in the Philippines surfing capital of the north.

00:20 This marks the second straight year the province of La Union is hosting the prestigious competition

00:24 where surfers from Asia can rack up points to qualify for the coveted world championship tour.

00:29 This is a regional event but it's also open for surfers from anywhere in the world. So I know we

00:34 have surfers from Russia, we have surfers from France, we have surfers from Italy. We have the

00:39 best surfers in the region here trying to qualify for the world tour. So it's going to be tough but

00:46 this is the local spot and the locals will always have the advantage.

00:51 50 Pinoy surfers make up half of this year's field,

00:54 bannered by reigning men's longboard champion J.R. Esquivel, the first and only Filipino to

00:59 qualify for the world tour last June where he went on to earn an impressive eighth place finish,

01:04 allowing him to secure another spot in this year's WSL longboard tour.

01:08 Esquivel says he aims to see more Filipino surfers representing the flag and to ultimately inspire

01:13 the next generation such as this 11-year-old surfer from Ilocos, Pongpong, Arihbuabo,

01:18 who fearlessly took on the waves during day one.

01:21 It's really exciting because it's our second year here in La Union, our hometown.

01:25 And it gives us a chance to show the locals how good they are.

01:31 It really pushes us, especially the next generations because they see that everyone here is good.

01:37 I hope one of the Filipinos wins here again so that he can qualify for the world tour.

01:44 There are new Filipinos who can qualify for the world tour.

01:49 Well, earlier today, the Philippine delegation gave strong performances throughout the

01:53 elimination round with more than a dozen local longboarders already advancing to the next round.

01:59 And right now, the opening ceremony is taking place here in San Juan with officials

02:03 from the tourism department as well as Region 1 in attendance.

02:06 And they are inviting more people to come out here and to witness all the action

02:11 live as this competition will be running until this Sunday, January 28.

La Union hosts international surfing competition | Sports Desk

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