Pinoy surfers to see action in Bali tourney

MANILA, Philippines – Hoping to introduce Filipino surfers to the international stage, three of the country’s top ranked wave riders will compete in the International ISC Tour in Bali, Indonesia from August 16 to September 5. Bonifacio “Arkipo" Figuron, Anthony “Kawkaw" Luebben and Rommel “Okoy" Rojo will be carrying the Philippines’ tri-colors in the three-week long competitions. All Filipino surfers have topped their respective fields in local competitions. Aloha Board Sports Inc. (ABSI), the country’s leading local surfing promoter, sponsored the trip of the three surfers. ABSI president Freddy Gonzalez said competing in the ISC Tour could open up opportunities for the growing community of local surfers and the Philippine tourism industry. “With a coastline twice as long as that of the United States, the Philippines is a place where people can discover at least a dozen new breaks every season. A fact that can potentially secure the country’s place in the international surfing tourism map," Gonzalez said. The three has yet to break the international scene despite good performances in international tournaments held in the Philippines. Rojo said that surfing aficionados can expect them to perform radical maneuvers in the critical section of the wave with their “usual" speed, power, and flow. “Filipinos are equipped with natural agility and strength of character, both of which are traits that top surfers have." Rojo, a 14-year veteran surfer, last year was among the top Filipino riders who qualified and competed internationally for the Billabong International Cloud 9 Competition. Figuron recently won the Cloud 9 Masters title held at Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte, while Luebben placed third in the Longboard Pro Invitational in La Union. The trio qualified in three surfing events that will be held in Bali. The three will start their campaign in the Oakley Surfing Competition on August 16 and 17 and will next compete in the Bali Surf for Kids Competition on August 23 and 25. They will end their Bali trip by seeing action in the Rip Curl Surf and Music Festival on August 30 to September 5. The team leaves for Bali on Sunday to begin their weeklong preparations in the three tournaments. – GMANews.TV