CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The town of Baler in Aurora province is now officially the “birthplace of Philippine surfing” after Republic Act 11957 lapsed into a law on August 6, 2023.
The new law recognizes Baler as “one of the premiere surfing sites in the country” and one that earned a “significant spot in the history and origin of Philippine surfing.”
Republic Act 11957 reads: “The State recognizes the role of tourism as a driver of economic growth and development and shall, therefore, pursue policies that cultivate, strengthen and promote the heritage of our tourism destinations. Towards this end, it shall endeavor to underscore and feature the historical significance and origins of our world-renowned tourism destinations.”
The variety of conducive and challenging surfing sites in Aurora were first discovered in1972 by Steve Scott, a surfer who was then stationed in Subic Naval Base.
With his surfboard in tow, he travelled to the eastern coast of Luzon and discovered the waves of the then untouched town of Baler, notably the right-hand reef break of Cobra Reef up to the comfortable sandy bottom break of Sabang Beach.
Since then, Baler has been the site of the annual Aurora Surfing Cup, a competition that supports the development of the growing surfing community and provides them with an avenue to showcase their skills and talents.
Baler stands out as the oldest local surfing community in the country today.