Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) and Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) have claimed victory at the 2025 La Union International Pro Longboard event. World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event. Both surfers came out on top after three days of epic surfing action featuring the Asia Region's best longboard surfers. Monaliza point delivered for Finals Day, offering up super clean surf in the two-to-three-foot range.
Hiroka Yoshikawa - WSL / Guzman
After finishing the 2024 season at No. 4 in the world, La Union local Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) has started his 2025 campaign off perfectly, winning his home event at Urbiztondo Beach La Union. In the Final, Esquievel took on fellow Filipino competitor Perry Ventura (PHL), who had been in solid form all event. It was a tightly contested Final, but in the end, it was the experience of Esquievel that shone through, as he won with a two-wave total of 15.67 (out of a possible 20), which included an excellent single wave of 8.67 (out of a possible 10). Today's win is Esquievel's third in a row at the La Union International Pro Longboard, an event that has only been running for three years.
"I'm super stoked to win this event once again," Esquievel said. "It's been an awesome Finals Day, and this is a big win for the Philippines. This week has been extra special because I can see the local surfers improving year on year, as well as all of the other surfers from the Asia region. I love to watch them all surf here on my home break. This is a great start to the year for me and also for the Filipino community. Hopefully, this momentum keeps going."
Rogelio Jr Esquievel - WSL / Aligam
The women's Final witnessed Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) contest her third straight Final here in La Union this year against form surfer Natsumi Takoka (JPN). The Japanese duo stood out during the entire event, and the Final didn't disappoint as both surfers showed flashes of brilliance both on the nose and on the ail. Yoshikawa took an early lead with a two-wave total of 14.27, leaving Taoka chasing a solid score for the majority of the heat. After a number of attempts, Taoka fell short, leaving Yoshikawa to finally take a win here in the Philippines.
"I'm so happy to win this event as I have finished runner-up here for the last couple of years," Yoshikawa said. "I love it here in La Union; we always feel so welcomed by the locals, the food is great, and I love the wave; it's my favourite. This result is so important to me as I missed out on qualifying for the WSL Longboard Tour last year, so this will really help me a lot."
Hiroka Yoshikawa - WSL / Aligam
The 2025 La Union International Pro Longboard ran at Urbiztondo Beach La Union from January 20 - 22.
Rogelio Jr Esquievel and Hiroka Yoshikawa Win 2025 La Union International Pro Longboard
WSL
Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) and Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) have claimed victory at the 2025 La Union International Pro Longboard event. World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event. Both surfers came out on top after three days of epic surfing action featuring the Asia Region's best longboard surfers. Monaliza point delivered for Finals Day, offering up super clean surf in the two-to-three-foot range.
After finishing the 2024 season at No. 4 in the world, La Union local Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) has started his 2025 campaign off perfectly, winning his home event at Urbiztondo Beach La Union. In the Final, Esquievel took on fellow Filipino competitor Perry Ventura (PHL), who had been in solid form all event. It was a tightly contested Final, but in the end, it was the experience of Esquievel that shone through, as he won with a two-wave total of 15.67 (out of a possible 20), which included an excellent single wave of 8.67 (out of a possible 10). Today's win is Esquievel's third in a row at the La Union International Pro Longboard, an event that has only been running for three years.
"I'm super stoked to win this event once again," Esquievel said. "It's been an awesome Finals Day, and this is a big win for the Philippines. This week has been extra special because I can see the local surfers improving year on year, as well as all of the other surfers from the Asia region. I love to watch them all surf here on my home break. This is a great start to the year for me and also for the Filipino community. Hopefully, this momentum keeps going."
The women's Final witnessed Hiroka Yoshikawa (JPN) contest her third straight Final here in La Union this year against form surfer Natsumi Takoka (JPN). The Japanese duo stood out during the entire event, and the Final didn't disappoint as both surfers showed flashes of brilliance both on the nose and on the ail. Yoshikawa took an early lead with a two-wave total of 14.27, leaving Taoka chasing a solid score for the majority of the heat. After a number of attempts, Taoka fell short, leaving Yoshikawa to finally take a win here in the Philippines.
"I'm so happy to win this event as I have finished runner-up here for the last couple of years," Yoshikawa said. "I love it here in La Union; we always feel so welcomed by the locals, the food is great, and I love the wave; it's my favourite. This result is so important to me as I missed out on qualifying for the WSL Longboard Tour last year, so this will really help me a lot."
The 2025 La Union International Pro Longboard ran at Urbiztondo Beach La Union from January 20 - 22.
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