BALER AURORA is no doubt a Surfing Paradise

Baler Aurora enticed me out of curiosity more than anything else----SURFING.
I have often associated surfing with Hawaii, ---giant waves, cloud 9's----long before surfing destinations in the Philippines like Siargao and San Juan La union became popular.And if there is another place getting more and more famous with surfing, it would be BEALER AURORA. And so I wanted to check it out, not because I wanted to surf but because I wanted to know if it really deserves the title as a Surfing Destination.

Baler is a 3rd class Municipality in the province of Aurora located 230 kilometers northeast of Manila.

http://www.pusangkalye.net/2012/04/how-to-commute-to-baler-aurora.html 

Baler Aurora is no doubt a Surfing Paradise

We went there during Holy Week this year. I understand that the surfing season in Baler is during September but since it's summer, SABANG BEACH, where all the surfing stuff happens was awash with tourists, mostly locals.

Our first interaction with Sabang beach was through a new resort they call ALIYA in the Northern end of the beach.If you are a little allergic to the crowd, this is the place to be as the concentration of people is mostly at the Center of Sabang beach.

We were not guests of the hotels since we stayed in KL JAVERS HOMESTAY  but the place is just open.You can walk in, sit in their seaside benches and order drinks if you want. They have

ALIYA BEACH RESORT Sabang Beach Baler Aurora
 
with our friends :)

hot surfers

The original plan was to surf.But we came at around 3pm and decided to just sit and watch for a while.As time progressed, the temptation to surf was coupled with fear.I have to admit, the waves looks and sounds more intimidating in person.They look bigger too.

This is the spot where I took a couple of nice photos of people enjoying the Surf.

 


 
 

 
with majestic mountains on the background, Baler Surfing is like surfing in paradise

What we did instead was to try the water--less the surfboard. I had this theory that we had to feel the sea first.That this is some sort of first acquaintances , that you have to be familiar with each other first.True. I said the waves look and sounds intimidating and they could be ruthless if you don't understand them but the moment you plunge into the sea, you would realize it takes only a few minutes to feel and understand how it behaves.The I became comfortable with the waves, it was too late.It was getting dark so the surfing instructors in ALIYA advised us to go back the next day instead.

 

my friends feeling the sea....and my camera.lols

So we did.Had to muster enough courage again to do so. As if the courage barometer has been reset.

the surf instructors of Sabang Beach Baler Aurora
 

We came late again as usual. We decided to enter Sabang via the main access point near Bay's Inn. This is where the concentration of people is located. Once stepping on the beach, you could see different resorts/companies offering Surfing Lessons to first timers. We saw a group of locals being briefed getting ready to surf.

It took us almost an hour again to decide whether to try it or not.My friend Mitch along with my wife Teresa finally made up our mind.Now or never. It was getting dark again but we still managed to do a couple of tries.

Surfing costs 350pesos per hour.(But we were able to haggle for 300 each for me and my friend. That's 2 surfboards with one of it I shared with my wife) That includes the rent of a surf board and an instructor who will be with you all throughout the session.

That's good coz I realized surfing is no easy task. I got more scared when we were briefed.Blame the instructor saying "when you jump, jump on the side and never in front,an incoming wave might hit your board before you know it and the board might hit you as a result. When you fall,be sure to put your arms above your head before you surface, that is to protect your head from the board." I imagined blood on my head. hahaha.But one has to take such precautions seriously, as I realized, it's not as easy as it looks like when you are on the water at the mercy of the waves.

Perhaps I would make another entry which will focus more on what was going on in my mind and the struggle I had to go through just to be able to make that successful few minute stand of my surfboard. For now, I just wanna cling to the memory of it. That I am glad I finally tried it. Was is a success?Sorta.

I know it's a shame posting my photos here being tossed and punished by the waves of Baler but here goes.

that's me being tossed---#1

that's me being tossed---2

 

that's me finally being able to stand on the surf.for 5seconds.hahaha

and that's my friend Mitch clinging to her surf board to the coastline....hahaha

I am not sure how big the waves could get during the surfing season of September onwards but I guess they are bigger and better for those who are already good at it.

Did I enjoy it? I guess not all first time experiences are enjoyable but it sure was an experience I wanna try again and again and again. The experience itself was fun but the actual surfing was one marred by worries and fear.I was too preoccupied thinking about me falling on the water rather the standing on the board.I was too busy hating my back for the pain I felt every time I pushed myself to stand.hahaha.Maybe it's like that for first timers.Or manybe it's just me.Then again, I will definitely be back for more, if not in Baler, somewhere else. I wonder if they have surfing in Tenerife Spain as I dream of holidays to tenerife.

BALER AURORA  is no doubt a surfing paradise, I highly recommend the place for beginners who want to experience surfing.Summer in the Philippines is just heating up.You might wanna take that joybus to Baler and try this experience.

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more Baler posts coming up!!!