The professional surfing action is continuing in the Philippines with competition off and running at the 2025 La Union International Pro Longboard event. The World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event will help decide the Asia region qualifiers for the 2025 WSL Longboard Tour. Day 1 saw semi-clean surf at Monaliza Point in the two-to-three-foot range as the region's best put on a show.
Crowd - WSL / Aligram
It was no major surprise on Day 1 that local legend and current WSL Longboard World No. 4 Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) was the standout performer, taking a convincing heat win with a two-wave total of 17.17 (out of a possible 20), the highest of the event so far. Esquievel's skill and experience were on show as he progressed into the Round of 16 and was a step closer to going back-to-back at his home event.
"It's great to have the WSL back here in La Union and to be competing again at this level on home soil," Esquievel said. "Events like these are great at giving the locals a chance to compete with the best from the region and to qualify for the World Longboard Tour. I'm happy to make that heat because the waves were hard to read today, so it felt good to find a few good scores."
Rogelio Jr Esquievel. - WSL / Guzman
Other standouts in the men's Round of 32 included Indonesia's Dhany Widianto (INA), Roger Casogay (PHL), and John Kennedy Martinez (PHL).
Event top seed Natsumi Taoka (JPN) showed why she is the one to beat at La Union this week, posting the highest two-wave total of the women's Round of 16 with a 14.16. Taoka was stylish as always and confident on the nose through the critical sections of the wave as she looked to book a spot on Finals Day and get her year off to the perfect start.
"That was a tricky heat because the waves were a bit bumpy, but my first one was actually really good," Taoka said. "I've come back to this event because I love the Philippines and always have so much fun here. It's great to be back."
Natsumi Taoka. - WSL / Aligam
Filipino competitors Kaila Jane Dela Torre (PHL) and Ashlee Lopez (PHL) were looking in solid form on Day 1, booking themselves spots in the Quarterfinals at Monaliza Point.
Stay tuned for a full Finals Day recap at the conclusion of the event on Wednesday, January 22.
The 2025 La Union International Pro Longboard Event will run at Urbiztondo Beach La Union from January 20 - 22.
Pro Surfing Action Continues in The Philippines With La Union International Pro Longboard LQS
WSL
The professional surfing action is continuing in the Philippines with competition off and running at the 2025 La Union International Pro Longboard event. The World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event will help decide the Asia region qualifiers for the 2025 WSL Longboard Tour. Day 1 saw semi-clean surf at Monaliza Point in the two-to-three-foot range as the region's best put on a show.
It was no major surprise on Day 1 that local legend and current WSL Longboard World No. 4 Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) was the standout performer, taking a convincing heat win with a two-wave total of 17.17 (out of a possible 20), the highest of the event so far. Esquievel's skill and experience were on show as he progressed into the Round of 16 and was a step closer to going back-to-back at his home event.
"It's great to have the WSL back here in La Union and to be competing again at this level on home soil," Esquievel said. "Events like these are great at giving the locals a chance to compete with the best from the region and to qualify for the World Longboard Tour. I'm happy to make that heat because the waves were hard to read today, so it felt good to find a few good scores."
Other standouts in the men's Round of 32 included Indonesia's Dhany Widianto (INA), Roger Casogay (PHL), and John Kennedy Martinez (PHL).
Event top seed Natsumi Taoka (JPN) showed why she is the one to beat at La Union this week, posting the highest two-wave total of the women's Round of 16 with a 14.16. Taoka was stylish as always and confident on the nose through the critical sections of the wave as she looked to book a spot on Finals Day and get her year off to the perfect start.
"That was a tricky heat because the waves were a bit bumpy, but my first one was actually really good," Taoka said. "I've come back to this event because I love the Philippines and always have so much fun here. It's great to be back."
Filipino competitors Kaila Jane Dela Torre (PHL) and Ashlee Lopez (PHL) were looking in solid form on Day 1, booking themselves spots in the Quarterfinals at Monaliza Point.
Stay tuned for a full Finals Day recap at the conclusion of the event on Wednesday, January 22.
The 2025 La Union International Pro Longboard Event will run at Urbiztondo Beach La Union from January 20 - 22.
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