The annual surfing break in La Union, which offers seaside activities, surfing, music, arts, culture, and unity, kicked off at the Waves Point, Barangay Panicsican, San Juan town on Friday.

“We are looking for and inviting all the surfers that are enthusiasts of the sports. Sana ay pumunta kayo lahat, lalo yung mga locals. Bakit? Dahil kayo ang nagbibigay ng turista dito sa lugar natin (We hope that you all join us, especially the locals. Why? Because you bring tourism to our place),” Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega said in a video message.

Ortega welcomed all tourists to San Juan and Bacnotan towns, the hosts of the surfing break, and to the entire province.

“La Union offers more than great surfing. It’s also a place to enjoy our rich culture and heritage. Let us hit the waves and feel La Union,” he said.

Among this year’s surfing break activities in San Juan are a surfing competition, beach volleyball, San Juan surf clinic, glow run, pawi-can race, pawi-kite, surfboard painting competitions, Elyu music awards, pet halloween musical concert, Afro-Latin festival, and 90s rewind.

Bacnotan town, on the other hand, will feature a cultural show, zumbacnotan, surfing clinic, beach volleyball, sand castle making, bangkathon, music festival, foam party, surfboard painting competition, rescue olympics, and battle of the bands.

Famous bands Amiel Sol, Sunkissed Lola, and Gracenote are set to electrify the stage with unforgettable music and priceless experience.

There will also be eco-friendly initiatives and responsible tourism, showcasing activities, such as eco-booth camp, inter-barangay eco-decor competition, coastal clean-up, mangrove planting, eco-swap project, and clean-up drive.

“We have partners and (we) coordinated (with) our local uniformed personnel, government and private sectors. They are with us in meeting and coordination for an orderly conduct of the activities,” San Juan Municipal Tourism Officer Riza Joy Abat said in a separate statement.

Bacnotan Municipal Tourism Officer Cheresa Sison also said that preparations were made with the assistance of the provincial government.

The local government units have designated parking areas for spectators and advised motorists to use alternative routes to avoid congestion on highways near the venue.

The La Union surfing break will run until Nov. 2. (PNA)