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Luke Landrigan Claims Victory and Record Prize Money at the Aloha Boardsports Longboard Pro Invitational Presented by Global Surf Industries and Nike 6.0

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29 November 2009, La Union-Philippines: 27 year old Luke Landrigan claimed victory yesterday over 17 year old fellow La Union local Marvin Abat after a 30 minute duel in 4-5 foot surf at the 2nd annual Aloha Boardsports Longboard Pro Invitational presented by Global Surf Industries and Nike 6.0, the culmination of two days of highly competitive surfing at the seaside surf town of La Union just a few hours drive north of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. 

Landrigan takes home a whopping 100,000 pesos ($2,150 USD) for his first place finish, and runner up Abat 50,000 ($1,075 USD) pesos from the total 250,000 (5,375 USD) peso prize money purse. 

“I’m so stoked to have won this event here, especially at my home break and against all these talented surfers, said Landrigan after the final.  “I was a bit surprised that I made into the final, as I was up against the very best longboarders in the Philippines, but it was at my home break and in front of all my friends and family, so maybe that helped give me the edge,” he said, downplaying his own reputation as a very accomplished longboard surfer.  Landrigan won a silver medal in the Longboard division and bronze medal in the Team Surfing division of the Asian Beach Games held in Bali, Indonesia in 2008 .

When asked what his thoughts were when paddling out in the final against the younger Abat he replied, “Really I wasn’t thinking Marvin, but more about how good the waves were and how lucky I was to be out there in the lineup with only one other guy.  Marvin is young but has been really focusing on his longboard surfing, so I knew I just had to be choose the best waves and not make any mistakes.”  Landrigan’s smooth style and ability to complete a wide variety of aggressive maneuvers were the keys to his win.

Runner up Abat was obviously delighted to be on the podium for the biggest paycheck of his young career.  “I can’t believe I made it into the final!  I’ve been longboarding a lot last two years, and shortboarding as well, but somehow I just like longboarding better because of the different moves I can do and in many kinds of waves.  Finishing well here makes me like it even more,” he said with a grin.  Certainly this runner up finish will further encourage the talented young man, and the future of Filipino longboarding looks very bright indeed.

Head Judge Arya Subyakto from the Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour was very impressed with the level of surfing displayed throughout the weekend, stating, “This is my first trip to the Philippines and I’m delighted to have been part of this event.  Its great to see how committed the crew here are to longboarding and that they are performing so well. When Aloha Boardsports invited myself and Brad Little to come and hold a judging seminar here and to help judge the contest, I was very interested and of course accepted the invitation.  To share our knowledge and experience here and in other parts of South East Asia is what we need to do more of, so we can develop surfing and an Asian-wide surfing tour.  Its really gratifying to see such talent and enthusiasm for the sport here in the Philippine.” 

Suyakto and Little live in Bali, Indonesia and are part of the panel of ISA (International Surfing Association) certified judging panel on the Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour.

The two day invitational event gathered together 32 of the best longboarders in the Philippines to compete for the record breaking first place prize money of 100,000 pesos (approximately $2,200 USD) and what amounts to the Philippine National Longboard title for 2009.

The event was the brainchild of Aloha Boardsports owner Fred Gonzalez, who is an avid surfer and watersports enthusiast himself.  During the awards presentation he was asked for his thoughts on the event.  “ It has been great fun with lots of camaraderie but also fierce competition for the big prize money.  I think today we showed the surf community how committed we are to growing and supporting the sport of surfing here in the Philippines.  We want our surfers here to be able to make a career out of the sport they love if they want to.  That means having events like this and putting up real prize money for the competitors.  For most of these guys, winning 100,000 pesos is a life-changing event; so doing comps like this real makes a difference in their lives. It’s good for everyone involved, and that’s our goal,” he responded.

The weekend’s activities began on Friday with surf lessons for the invited media during the late morning and then an official judging seminar in the afternoon.  Later that evening a welcome dinner and competitors briefing took place on the sand in front of the Little Surfmaid Hotel, the accommodation and event host for the event.

Two days of competitive surfing followed, with conditions ranging from 2-3 foot waves on Saturday up to the occasional 5 foot set as the swell increased on Sunday. 

The event wrapped up on Sunday evening with the awards presentation, live bands, fire dancer performances, and Indo-Board competition, and a raffle giving away surfboards, leashes, wax and other surf related products the cash proceeds of which will go to the victims of the recent flooding disasters that occured in the area last month.

Thanks to sponsors Aloha Boardsports, Global Surf Industries, Nike 6.0, Dakine, Sector 9, Havaianas, Sticky Bumps, FCS, Green Zinc, Little Surfmaid Hotel, Mona Lisa Resort, and the La Union Surf Club for their support of the event.

Aloha Boardsports Longboard Pro Invitational Results:

1.  Luke Landrigan
2.  Marvin Abat
3.  Benito Nerida
3.  Jeff De La Torre
 

Photos and Text - Tim Hain

For high res photos please contact Mooney Castillo at Aloha Boardsports - mooney@alohaboardsports.com, or Tim Hain at tim@isctour.com

Photos and Captions:

1.  Luke Landrigan pulls off a massive floater in the closing minutes of the final to win the Aloha Boardsports Longboard Pro Invitational
2.  The winners podium, with from left to right:  Runner up Marvin Abat, Winner Luke Landrigan, equal third place 15 year old Benito Nerica, and Jeff De La Torre
3.  Stylish 17 year old Marvin Abat gets his toes on the nose during the final.
4.  Luke Landrigan, the winner of the Aloha Boardsports Longboard Pro Invitational
5.  The host venue for the Aloha Boardsports Longboard Pro Invitational, the Little Surfmaid Hotel
6.  15 year old Benito Nerica and 17 year old Marvin Abat - future world champion longboard surfers


The Aloha Boardsports Longboard Pro Invitational was sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championship Tour in conjuction with the Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Champtionship Tour