Surfing at Bagasbas Beach

My last days of summer were spent working and surfing—not a bad way to end my bumness, I think. After a year of study leave, I'm back working, but all I could think of is going back to Bagasbas to surf. 

surfing lessons

I never thought I could surf because one, I don’t know how to swim; two, I’m afraid of the open sea—sometimes. But I did learn how to surf, thanks to my ultracool surf instructor Mocca, who is well-known among surfers frequenting Bagasbas Beach in Daet, Camarines Norte. (A documentary about her was made by Samantha Lee, a film major in UP Diliman, titled, Agos). I still don’t know how to swim though.

Agos by Samantha Lee, a documentary about Mocca
see also Mocca here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EvUnp629pE

It was difficult getting up from the surf board because of my heavy upper body, but I managed to paddle and stand up a few times after two hours of surfing. The feeling of riding the waves was pure bliss. I felt calm. It’s as if I was in trance. Balancing while standing up in the surf board made me concentrate on the task at hand. It was the only time I felt that I had a clear mind. I was moving in an endless and limitless space, a feeling of pure freedom.

Now I know why many people get stoked. Never mind the dark face, arms and legs afterwards.

after many failed attempts, finally got that thing going

fear the waves no more

soft landing

Even though Kitch and I spent only a night and a day in Bagasbas, we felt we had been in that place for a few days already. The local surfers were very friendly and they made our trip really memorable. These are the things we did in 24 hours: drink beer (night), surf (next morning), lunch at Catherine’s (inside Bagasbas Lighthouse), shopping at surf store, drink (again!) lychee-flavored lambanog by the beach with our newfound surfer friends while watching people (especially the young surfers), swim until the sun sets.

surfers get goofy playing beach volleyball

lambanog by the beach

They say Bagasbas Beach is the best for surfing beginners. To go there, ride a bus going to Daet. Superlines, Amihan, and Philtranco have daily trips to Daet. Once in the town, ride a tricycle going to Bagasbas. It costs P50 for a special trip, but if you’re on a tight budget, you can go to the tricycle terminal at J. Lucban Extension St. in downtown. Fare is P10 per passenger.

where we stayed

In Bagasbas Beach, there are already many choices for a place to stay even though it is not yet as developed as other beaches in the country. The most popular would be the Bagasbas Lighthouse, which offers fully-furnished container vans for accommodations among others. Other more budget-friendly inns are available also. Based on our inquiries, average room rates are P500-700 for fan room and P1000-1500 for air-conditioned room. Most inns offer surfing lessons, but owners will refer you to Mocca and her group. You can contact Mocca directly at 09212518748.

Until the next wave.

Lilay, a pro-surfer at 12 years old

Mocca's son