MSA, Maui & Sons host surfing event for environment

MANILA, Philippines – Sharing the waves of blessings to everyone, Manila Surfers Association along with Maui & Sons gave back to the community of San Juan, La Union, by preserving the shores and marine life through SurfKalikasan project.

Touted by MSA as one of its biggest events so far, the non-profit organization heeded the importance of the environment by giving equipment that can help the event's beneficiary, the La Union Surf Club (LUSC), ensure the cleanliness of Urbiztondo beach.

The LUSC received trash cans, shovels and rakes from the surfers that they can use for cleaning the shores from trashes and seaweeds that are detrimental for the ocean’s life.

LUSC President Mickey Galang said that it was a big boost for their clean-up drive to retain the attractiveness and cleanliness of the beach.

Galang added that they will start their integrated solid waste management program this year that includes eradicating seaweeds that affect the surfers.

“We can use the trash cans for our integrated solid waste management program, while the shovels will be used to dig the holes where we going to put the seaweeds,” Galang explained.

“Kapag season dumarami talaga yung seaweeds. Mahirap mag-surf, kaya naman pag may mga seaweeds itinatabi namin kaagad,” she added.

Positive effect

“Before they were just surfers, and now with this program parang na-e-enhance yung focus towards caring for the environment,” Galang thought about the Manila-based surfers group, which has more than 300 members as of April.

Galang was so thankful for the MSA, aside from caring for the environment, by bringing more people to the surfing capital of the North, which helps locals make a living.

“They brought more people, they boosted tourism. For every surf instruction may kumikita na local,” said Galang after the turnover ceremony at the San Juan Surf School.

“Mas dumarami yung mga taong pumupunta dito, which is good para sa community .”          

Negative effect

However, the growing number of people who desire to ride the waves has a negative effect to the community, a problem Galang wants to resolve immediately.

“Some of the people who come here, walang pakialam,” said Galang, pertaining to the visitors who throw away their trashes in the shores.

Galang knows the importance of preserving the environment that will later benefit current and future surfers.

“Importante napapangalagaan natin yung beach,” said LUSC president. “Para at least pagdating natin dito in the next 10 years ganun pa rin yung dagat natin.”

Surf’s up!                                                                                                   

The event was highlighted by a surfing competition joined by the MSA members. The winners received brand new surf boards from Maui and Sons.

Here are the results: