CANTILAN (MindaNews/11 Nov) – For the first time in five years, the local government unit here will spearhead the 5th Cantilan National Surfing Competition on November 19 to 23 to help promote the town as an eco-tourism destination.
Foreigners enjoy the waves in Baybay II beach in the town of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur on November 10, venue for the 5th Cantilan National Surfing Competition on November 19 to 23. MindaNews photo by Erwin Mascarinas
Cantilan Mayor Genito Guardo said they are now partnering with the original organizer of the previous competitions in the hope the town “would be considered as one of the country’s surfing destinations.”
Guardo is optimistic that in the future Cantilan will also be acknowledged as an ideal surfing destination next to its neighboring town, Lanuza.
“We can’t claim it away from our neighbor, the town of Lanuza and especially with that of Siargao, but to be considered as an alternative destination is good enough for us. We are still in the infant stage in tourism promotion compared to other towns but this would be a great start to show what we’ve got,” the Cantilan mayor said.
Guardo made an example, stating that Ayoke Island, the second largest island in Cantilan, has been one of the long kept secrets by foreign surfers who discovered its great surfing breaks more than eight year ago and tried to hide it from everyone.
Loanne Huelma, event committee secretariat said that the event is all about promoting Cantilan and the sport of surfing while showing to everyone the rich eco-system the town has to offer.
“The competition will let everyone know that we also have good surfing spots here in our town and world class waves that will surely challenge skilled surfers. When we first started back in December 5, 2008, it was a competition between local surfers and friends, then it grew into a bigger event as years went by,” said Huelma who also personally organized all the other four surfing competitions in Cantilan.
Huelma believes that more surfers will participate in the competition since the event is just a day after the 2012 Lanuza Surfing Festival in the town of Lanuza, 45 minutes ride away from Cantilan. (Erwin Mascarinas/MindaNews)
