La Union Kicks Off World Surfing League La Union International Pro 2024; Boosts LU Tourism Economy Around the Globe
By: Omme Atiyah, GPC-LUPTO and Marie Jae Anndre D. Fronda, PIO | Photos By: PIO and LUPTO | Date: January 22-28, 2024
As a manifestation of the Provincial Government of La Union’s (PGLU’s) proactive measures toward positioning the province as the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025, it collaborated with the Department of Tourism-Regional Office I (DOT-ROI) and organized by United Philippines Surfing Association (UPSA) and World Surfing League (WSL) in the conduct of the World Surfing League La Union International Pro 2024 on January 22-28, 2024 at The Escape, Brgy. Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union.
The event aimed to showcase the competitive aspect of professional surfing in La Union to a global audience. Given this, world class competitors from Japan, Indonesia, Sweden, Australia, Korea, Great Britain, China, Taiwan, Italy, France, Madagascar, and Philippines rode the majestic waves of San Juan, La Union as they displayed their surfing prowess. In addition, it was also an opportunity to shed international exposure on the natural beauty and cultural richness of other tourism destinations in the province.
Japan dominated the Women’s Shortboard Division with Kana Nakashio proclaimed as the Champion, and the Second Placer and Equal Thirds also coming from them. On the other hand, the Men’s Shortboard Division winners consist of Champion John Mark “Marama” Tokong from Siargao, Philippines, Second Placer from Sweden, and Equal Third Placers from Japan and Indonesia. In the Longboard category, the Women’s Division hailed Japan’s Kaede Inoue as the Champion and its other participants as the Second Placer and Equal Third Placer, with La Union, Philippines sharing the bronze. Finally, the Men’s Longboard Division identified La Union, Philippines’ Rogelio “Jay-R” Esquivel, Jr. as the Champion and two other LUcals as Equal Third Placers, while Second Place recognition went to Japan.
In the message of Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David, delivered by Executive Assistant Eleazar Belgica, she expressed, “We continue to carry that pride as we…host the World Surfing League for the second time…more than just about sports and the values of sportsmanship, it is about creating memories, forging connections, and leaving a lasting impact on the global surfing community.”
Through initiatives such as the World Surfing League La Union Pro 2024, PGLU consistently puts La Union on the map of the surfing global arena and contributes to the now recovering tourism industry through assured foreign and domestic tourist arrivals.
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