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Surfing in Baler, Aurora

Surfing in Baler, Aurora

comments for post- 2  38 Comments
Posted on by Wayne Aurora

I have always wanted to try surfing but never really had the chance to do so until our team has finally decided to have our summer vacation in Baler, Aurora last April 2009. This was indeed one of the most superb travel experiences I’ve ever had and might also be the last trip that I’ll share with my present office colleagues.

Baler, the capital municipality of Aurora Province, is situated in the Eastern Central Luzon facing the Pacific Ocean. It is approximately 230 kilometers from Manila and can be reached by traveling the roads (via Pantabangan or via Bongabon) that twist through the Sierra Madre mountain range, where maybe the only remaining lowland virgin forest, as well as the largest areas of upland virgin forest, in the country is located.

Surfing in Baler, Aurora

The town is also the birthplace of Philippine surfing – thanks to the production crew of Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 cult classic “Apocalypse Now” who left their surfboards, which were later used by the locals. It is famous for its numerous surfing points like Sabang Beach (best for beginners,) Cemento Beach (for experienced surfers,) and the famous Charlie’s Point (the setting of the surf scene in “Apocalypse Now.”)

After an almost 8-hour ride from Makati, our group finally arrived in Baler, Aurora at around 8.00 am. We then checked in at Bay’s Inn Resort, ate our breakfast, rested for a few minutes and finally went off to begin our great surfing experience.

Good Morning Baler! Bay's Inn Resort Non-Aircon Room at Bay's Inn Resort

Our surfing lessons were provided by top surf instructors from Mahdox Surf School and Surf Shop, the first registered surf school and surf shop in Baler which is owned by one of the country’s top-ranking surfers and an 11-time Men and Junior’s Event Champion in surfing, Engr. Rommel “Okoy” Rojo. The instructors, aside from being excellent surfers, provide personalized one-on-one coaching and are very also courteous and friendly.

To begin with, we were first taught of the basics of surfing – the different parts of the surf board, proper positioning, standing, balancing and popping up techniques. Right after the quick orientation, we all headed off to the beach for the real action and began our surfing session.

Mahdox Surf School and Surf Shop Surfing Orientation Surfing Orientation
Surfing in Baler, Aurora Surfing in Baler, Aurora Surfing Instructors and Students
Surfing in Baler, Aurora Surfing in Baler, Aurora Mahdox Surf School Instructors

After several tries, most of us managed to stand up on our boards without falling. We were able to ride the waves as far as we can go – one of the best feelings ever! Yes, it was very exhausting, yet it is truly one of the most thrilling experience ever.

On a side trip, we also visited the following places in Baler – Cunayan Falls, Baler Church, Quezon Park, Museo de Baler and the Pasalubong Center.

Cunayan Falls in Baler, Aurora Humble Nipa Hut of Manuel L. Quezon Statue of Manuel L. Quezon at the Quezon Park
Museo de Baler Statue of Manuel L. Quezon at Museo de Baler Inside Museo de Baler
Inside Museo de Baler Pictures inside Museo de Baler Baler Church

For those of you who would also like to visit Baler, here are some information about the packages of Istokewa Surf Tours:

All overnight packages of Istokewa Surf Tours are scheduled on a weekend and depend on the weather and wave forecasts. Packages for long weekends and weekdays can also be arranged as long as the organizer is available. Here is the usual itinerary but still may be subject to change:

TIME ACTIVITY
Friday
11.00 pm Assembly and Meet up
12.00 mn ETD Manila
3.00 am Stop Over at Cabanatuan
Saturday
6.00 – 7.00 am ETA Baler; Breakfast (Check in if rooms are already available)
9.00 am Surfing Lessons and Beach Time
11.00 am Lunch and Rest
12.00 nn Check in
2.00 pm Surfing Lessons and Beach Time
7.00 pm Dinner
Sunday
8.00 am Breakfast
9.00 am Surfing Lessons and Beach Time
11.00 am Lunch and Rest
12.00 nn Check Out
12.30 pm Baler Tour: Baler Church, Quezon Park, Museo de Baler and Pasalubong Center
2.30 pm ETD Baler
6.00 – 7.00 pm Dinner at Cabanatuan
9.00 – 10.00 pm ETA Manila

Package Rates

  • Php 3,000 per person (complete package)
  • Php 2,650 per person (if with only 1 hour of surfing lessons)
  • Php 2,300 per person (if without surfing lessons)

Package Inclusions

  • Private Van Transfers (Manila – Baler – Manila)
  • Beachfront Lodging (sharing will depend on the number of people in the group and room availability)
  • 2 Set Meals
  • 2 hours of surfing lessons from Mahdox Surf School (Board rental and instructor fee included)
  • Tour of Baler Church, Quezon Park, Museo de Baler and Pasalubong Center

Booking and Reservation Guidelines

  • If the group is less than 9 persons, they will try to find other people to complete the number so as to push through with the trip
  • Half of the payment is to be deposited as down payment (3 weeks before the trip) then the other half is to be paid upon meet up
  • It is non-refundable but is transferable to other individuals (just kindly inform them at least one week before the trip)

Contact Details

For inquiries and reservations you may contact Istokewa Surf Tours directly at:

Mobile No: (+63 917) 256-2040 and look for Bart Dumlao
E-mail Address: istokewa@yahoo.com
Websites: http://istokewa.multiply.com / Istokewa Surf Tours on Facebook

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This entry was posted on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 2:17 am and is filed under Aurora. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Comments

38 responses to “Surfing in Baler, Aurora”

  7. comment-818
    Wayne Post author
    comment-818

    Bart: No worries. Yeah, this year ulet ha? Bago mag-end ang taon na to. Sana may board nako by that time. Wahahaha! 😛 Thanks din for the fun-filled experience. 😀

    Reply
  8. comment-820
    Zorlone
    comment-820

    Wayne and Icey,

    Wassup surfer dudettes? Another enjoyably superb post. Sarap talaga mamasyal sa Pilipinas. he he he. Where is the next trip? Teka, yung EB tagal naman. 🙁

    Z

    Reply
  13. comment-829
    Wayne Post author
    comment-829

    @Doc Zi: Sure, sure. I’ll let Icey know about this. 😀

    @Dodong: Hehehe! Kahit kami, we really didn’t know. Salamat talaga sa friend ko na madalas magsurf dito kaya nadiscover namin ang mga magagandang alon dito. Hehe!

    @Sows: Thanks! Thanks! 😀 Maganda talaga sa Pilipinas. 😀

    Reply
  17. comment-835
    Wayne Post author
    comment-835

    @Eds: Yakang-yaka mo nga yung waves ng Siargao e. 😛

    @IdealPinkRose: Thanks for droppin’ by. 😀

    @Precious: Awww, be happy. Isipin mo na lang na swerte ka pa rin kasi Pilipino ka at nasa Pilipinas ka so pwede mong puntahan lahat ng yan anytime. 😀

    Reply
  18. comment-836
    SuperSawsaw
    comment-836

    oi, thanks for sharing. pansin ko lang, parang sobrang undeveloped pa nung baler(which i like!)… probinsiyang-probinsiya. haay, miss ko na talaga ang buhay pinas at lalo na ang buhay probinsiya.

    Reply
  19. comment-837
    Wayne Post author
    comment-837

    Hey SuperSawsaw! Thanks for droppin’ by. Yeah, hindi pa talaga sya totally developed. Actually mahaba-habang rough road ang dadaaanan mo bago ka makarating dyan. Hehehe! 😀

    Reply
  22. comment-922
    Daryl
    comment-922

    gusto ko subukan magsurf kaso wala me chance at mkakasama’ pajoin n lng sa may pupunta’ hehhehe.

    Reply
  29. comment-970
    Point Break NYC
    comment-970

    I like this place! I love the idea and wish there was a place like this in Astoria, Queens. I am a surfer and found a “real surfer bar” in Point Break NYC. I am kinda jealous ;0PIts filled with surfers, people who like surfers, people who like the beach and people who don’t want to live close to town. I really like this place. You know what they have these real Proctor and Channel One surfboards on the wall. It’s nice for coming any day of the week and eating a late brunch. The food was outstanding. The brunch and sides were prefect and tasty. It is a perfect “escape” from city living. It is probably one of the only places where you can get a nice frozen pina colada or margarita. The service was on hit. They came up and checked on us so many times and made sure everything was up to par. It gets very active and the bartenders keep everybody having a good time. The bartender was very accommodating. He was nice enough to make a drink, that wasn’t on the menu, for me :0) Did I mention the bartenders are nice eye candy. It was amazing to see their “das boot” which is shaped like a boot filled with beer. Don’t get me wrong, I am not drunk…it’s an actual boot shaped beer container ready to be emptied. Try it ..You will love it!! Oh. How can I forget, they even have a wheel o’ shots where you just have to spin it and have to drink whatever shot it lands on!! Now call that bar creativity at its best!!! And when I spill a tray full of shots on myself, the bartender so kindly remakes them for me? Good music, too, and the decor helped us weather an otherwise overcast and rainy day. You know that old song “Brandy”? It goes, “Brandy, you’re a fine girl, what a good wife you would be. But my life, my lover, my lady is the sea.” I believe Brandy works here. No reason, I just do. And that song happens to be a guilty pleasure of mine, so that’s a plus in my book. You can simply waltz over to this colorful and warm establishment, enjoy some drinks with friends, and walk home. The bar is right at the center, so you can walk to either side for drinks, and the bartenders are friendly and at your service. There is a variety of seating, good music, and friendly neighborhood people to make your time more enjoyable. Not pretentious, very cozy, I think Point Break is a fabulous place to spend some time with friends.

    Reply
  34. comment-1245
    esller erick
    comment-1245

    balak nmin mag punta ng family q s baler..maganda at nature dw ang dating ng baler..its that true guys? s x-mas ang punta nmin…maganda din s coron palawan try nyo.

    Reply
  36. comment-1317
    ivy mansibang
    comment-1317

    guys who have been in baler, my place ba dun na deadspot,,coz my fiance went there for seminar, and told me that they will be staying in a place n walang signal..im kinda have this doubt na imposibleng wlang signal..

    Reply
  37. comment-1430
    Penfires!
    comment-1430

    I’ve been meaning to visit Baler and Aurora, kamuntikan na last year kaso maulan nung nasa Manila na kami so di natuloy 🙁 so ngayon maki-share nalang muna sa adventures niyo hehehe sana hopefully soon I’ll be able to visit the places you guys checked out sa Aurora.

    Reply
  38. comment-1528
    Istokewa Surf Tours
    comment-1528

    Hi, Pasyalera! 🙂
    Long time no see. Thanks again for this old but very nice post. 🙂

    And to those who are interested in joining our trips, we still have the same rates and contact numbers. Please check our Facebook page. Thanks and we hope to share the stoke with you soon!

    Reply

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