What is Stoke for 400?
MANILA, Philippines - Stoke” is a word that gets tossed around a lot these days. It’s used to describe the natural high one gets from an extreme sport, as much as it’s dished out to express delight at successfully baking a vegan birthday cake, or getting 10 views on the latest YouTube video of your cat dressed up as Lady Gaga. From riding waves, to scoring one for Team Mother Earth, to the inane entertainment of animals wearing clothes, the word “stoke” has been stretched and adapted to refer to almost any kind of delight in life. And it’s cool, really, because who’s to judge another person’s “trip” (another term that, like this particular surf lingo, evolved out of its original, somewhat shady, psychedelic context to become a social-network-friendly expression).
And so, a couple of weekends ago, the dubiously official organization of Manila surfers staged its 6th exercise in defining this famously indefinable concept: the 6th Manila Surfers Cup. Held in San Juan, La Union, one of Manila’s favorite “home” breaks, the Manila Surfers Cup was organized together with the trailblazing action sports retailer that started it all, Stoked Inc., celebrating its 10 years in the business this month, and San Juan’s first world-class luxury resort, Kahuna Beach Resort & Spa.
Everybody Something
The weekend featured all facets of the Manila surfing community, from the friendly surf competition judged by the La Union Surf Club and the beach clean-ups headed by local clean shores champion Green Zinc, to the awesome swag from ever-supportive friends in surf like Stoked Inc., Kahuna Beach Resort, Fox, Rudy Project, VMV, Brown Belly, and endless scoops of ice cream from the FIC ice cream truck. And let’s not forget the groovin’ beach party at Kahuna’s beachfront bar and restaurant, which had surf band Reefer, fire poi led by women’s finalist Lorraine Lapus, and local dance troupe Brown Sugar’s gyrating hula number for entertainment, and eventually turned into a slightly drunken open mic night. “Manila surfers have really patronized Kahuna right from the start, from eating at our restaurant to getting massages,” says Angela Faustino, director of sales and marketing for the newly opened resort, “so we’re all too happy to host the awarding celebration and give them back a good time!”
Photo by Tim Hain The surf competition definitely had something for everyone, with surf heats for both the testosterone and estrogen-inclined members of the group, for the shortboard rippers and longboard trotters, and of course, divisions for the long-time obsessed and the newly initiated. “With the waves pumping overhead, it was great seeing the Manila surfers up their game under truly challenging conditions,” says JV Borromeo, Stoked Inc. Managing Director. “I still recall coming to La Union many years back, so it’s terrific seeing how surfing has impacted positively on the entire community. Thanks to the La Union Surf Club and the Manila Surfers Association.”
But it was definitely the Fruits in Ice Cream Forever Young costume surf competition that stole the show. And we probably have He-Man (freelance graphic designer Kayo Cosio, pre-Gray Skull) to thank for that, whose golden, dishrag-cloth hair and shapely, hairy thighs drew stares, giggles, and cries of horror, whether sighted herding children to the FIC ice cream truck on the beach, or explaining the rules of the costume comp to his be-masked brethren by Kahuna’s infinity pool.
Different Stokes, Different Folks
Of course, he had to compete for attention with the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, who were last seen being overwhelmed by a fierce gang of kids, Superman and his decidedly junior Justice League, Aladdin riding his inflatable airbed, I mean, magic carpet, with Abu on his shoulder, Betty Boop blowing pouty kisses from atop her longboard, a peculiarly muscular incarnation of Dora the Explorer, and a politically radical, RH-bill supporting Smurfette. With a year’s supply of the milk-lovin’, delectable flavors of FIC at stake, the waves didn’t seem to stand a chance against these costumed crusaders. Of course, the masks, capes, and other props that washed up on shore — along with the gut-busting laughs that assailed spectators — proved otherwise.
Photo by Tons Gozun If there are different stokes for different folks, within surfing itself, it is no different. Though the haters may be many, the smiles number far greater, and they can be found all along the beach. It’s spotted most easily on the face of a first-timer, young or old, hair all over the place and swimsuit awry, jumping off the rented foam-board after catching that unforgettable and unrepeatable First Wave, but it also lights up the perfectly tan face of a local pro, as he paddles back to the lineup after busting a sick combo, warmly greeting a surfer friend just arrived from Manila, and, yes, it’s even plastered on the face of that douche wearing an undersized rash guard over his muscles, as he struts around with his unwaxed surfboard checking out the beach babes.
Sharing that feeling, in whatever strange form it takes, is what it’s all about—there’s no cool club, no sacred initiation, or inherited super gene here. And one thing’s for sure, Manila surfer or local, newbie or old-timer, competitor or spectator, insane or inane, smiles were definitely in surplus that sun and stoke-filled weekend.
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Drop by the Manila Surfers Association on Facebook or Stokedinc.com.ph for more info on surfing. It’s an open invitation.
