Catanduanes Forum

hi everyone. im back in manila already and, as promised, im making another blog about what surfers need. read on...
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Our conversation with Sagana Resort owner Gerry Degan enlightened us about the needs of surfers in siargao, which our puraran surfers may also need. Among the things he mentioned were surfer-friendly facilities and more information about resorts.

In terms of transportation, Gerry said there are airlines in the Philippines that are not surfer-friendly in the sense that they do not have the space to accommodate surf boards. He said there was an instance when some surfers were forced not to take a flight because their surfboards cannot be accommodated by the airline. This insight is something that Asian Spirit (soon to be Zest Air...it was recently bought by Zesto Corporation) should consider. They should have a special area where surfboards can be placed and owners will be ensured that their boards will be secure. apart from air transportation, Gerry also said that local transportation from the port to the surf resorts are not developed. we have the same problem in catanduanes. though puraran is near the national road, going to and from puraran is difficult if tourists do not have their own vehicles.

the same thing goes for hotels and resorts in Catanduanes. most of the resorts I saw in Siargao either had a special dress closet big enough to accommodate big surfboards or a wooden patio outside their rooms where boards can safely be placed. Further, in Cloud 9 there is a 3-storey viewing deck way out into the Ocean, which allows surfers and onlookers to watch surfers and the waves. The viewing deck also serves a dual purpose during competition season by allowing judges to get a better view of the stunts surfers pull off when riding waves.

Gerry also mentioned that there is a need to promote or increase information dissemination about resorts or hotels in prime surfing destinations. this is a worth it investment, Gerry said, since surfers will go through great lengths just for a good wave. we can gain a lot when we do this in catanduanes since we not only have a prime surfing destination but we are situated in a province frequented by typhoons--which surfers like. with these ingredients in place, i believe that puraran's reputation and future will be secured in the surfing world.

I hope our local officials think about these things, hopefully they make things better to improve tourism in catanduanes. sayang ang puraran kung di rin lang naman mapuntahan ng madaming tao.