I did a cage dive with great whites in SA. On the boat they explained that the sharks sometimes mistake surfers for turtles and divers for seals. They can smell a drop of blood in a million parts of water. So if you have a cut anywhere... stay away. They said sharks don't really like eating people. If they did there wouldn't be such a thing as a shark attack survivor. However a bite is still a bite. Luckily, in the Philippines, we don't really have to worry about big blood-thirsty sharks.  Hope it helps

There's a bit of a dilemma about where to go this weekend (22-24 Aug). I've booked tickets for Daet but haven't gotten the hang of weather forecasting enough to tell if it'll be flat.   Browsing through this website, it seems Vigan and Zambales might be options to consider. I'm still very much at the awkward learning stage and would appreciate a bit of insight on which beach is might be good for learning how to surf. Thanks a million.

Me too! Hi!  I'm very new to the sport and this forum as well. I took a couple of lesson while traveling and haven't stopped dreaming about surfing since then. None of my friends seem too keen to pick up the sport. Hence, now the extra bus ticket to daet.    Anyone interested? We leave thursday  (21 August) at 8:30 pm from Cubao (Philtranco Gold Service) and will get there just in time to see the sun rise over the water.  Thanks a mil! -Kathy

Dilemma solved...I have to work on Friday. So, if anyone needs upto five tickets for tomorrow evening bus to Daet. Give me a shout. *I have a feeling though that there won't be any takers, since the waves are all on the other side of the archipelago*

Sorry, me again  

Al, KingofSports... I'm heeding your advice to check out San Juan there abouts. Nearly resigned myself to a surfless weekend (because of work) when Knefut helped me convince myself that La Union can be a day trip (It'll be hell, but it'll be worth it  I think... I'm not sure). Thank you for the advice! Will you guys be there as well? Cheers!

Ha! How I wish i could do that No, I didn't quite manage surfing 101 in La Union today... Couldn't catch a wave much less attempt to stand. But I had a lot of fun anyway taking photos of the Baguio (surf) club at  the German Sunset Beach.

The photos are at: http://asia.f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/kathyssurftrip it's  under the la union folder. I hope you like them!

P.S. The photos are a bit too contrasty now, I'll edit them properly sometime soon. Just got back and was bit excited  

P.P.S.  I'll post the bagasbas photos as well in the next two weeks or so. Cheers!

Hey Knef, my friends and I had a brilliant time. Crazy as it may seem, we actually think the trek there and back was worth the few hours we stayed. Too bad there was work today... we would have stayed much longer   Thanks for the warm welcome.     Say hello to everyone else for us.

Maybe we should have an official surf photo thread here... As long as the files are low res, I don't see how that should be a problem Just a thought

Perfect! Annie and I were thinking of throwing some sort of giant eyeball.. Would anyone be interested to come/ help organize? -Kathy

Howzit! Just a quick question for the people who live in and around Manila. How would you guys feel about getting together?  

Say, if we find a venue, would you be game for a free-wheeling pot-luck party?  

If it isn't much to ask, kindly post your replies to this thread. Your feedback will definitely help determine where this train of thought will be headed.   Thanks!

Agnes, November might be too far off for the first one, but certainly when you come home we'll have a reason to celebrate so I don't see why we can't all meet again in november

Al, we'll see ... but bring a friend who'll bring a six-pack just in case

Stay at shorelines!!! I have the number somewhere. Can't find my phone. If you need bus tickets as well, give me a shout. I bought a few too many the last time.

Agnes, the number for shorelines is +63 916 3663632. Thats actually the number of one of their field managers or something. -Kathy

Interested people, please RSVP by wednesday next week. See ya there!  

Hey Al! Looks like someone's vouching for your free beer   I'll take care of the cookies. Just hope it doesn't rain, or else we might have to move to the garage...  See you all on Friday!

Okay guys...

Please SMS (0920797127 me your real name for the guestlist and then your friends can come through under your name.

Ex. Your name is Juan de la Cruz. Your friends then say at the door "I'm with Juan de la Cruz" and they'll be let in.  

See you at the party!
-Kathy    

P.S. If you're having a difficult time getting in or finding the place, give me a quick call and I'll help get you sorted. Cool thing!

Due to space constraints... the party's moved indoors At least now we can fit in more people and we've got airconditioning!

Instead of bringing stuff that needs to go on the grill, please bring stuff that's ready to chow.  

See you at the party!

-Kathy

Hey guys, thanks for coming to the party. I hope you all had a joll! See you at the next one!

The photos are at : http://asia.f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/kathyssurftrip under carnivore night

P.S. If you're wondering what the head count was. We were exactly 49. Crisela and Kaye left before the group picture and Jeof arrived after it.

Petrucci... Don't worry, when the party started, I only knew something like six people. My co-organizer Annie, knew about two (myself included). The people who came were surfers from almost everywhere. They were mostly guys from Daet, Manila, La Union/Baguio, there was even a guy from Samar (though I think he works in Manila.) Nearly had a representative from Hong Kong.

Sam, Let me know which pictures you want and where you're going to use them. I'll re-size them properly and e-mail them to you.

To the Baguio surfers... Ang cool niyo rin mag party ha! Thanks for coming despite the distance.

Take care!

Jaybee.... Hey! Napaparinig na si Doll.   Best you cough up those pictures na..

Thanks Annie, thanks dad! They actually more work than I did for the party. I was just the taga-kulit

Arie -> baka siya si diego?  

Millie,

I wasn't there yet but it was triple overhead, the largest wave they'd seen in six years. 18 boards broken...

Will post photos soon.

-Kathy

What's up? Might take a quick squiz through there next week or so... heard there might be a mild beginner's break;) free for coffee? Need anything from home? - Kathy

Photos up at photos.yahoo.com/kathyssurftrip under Siargao. These are temporary files until I finish wading though all the pictures, touch them up and classify them. They're a bit dark now... will look a little better later.

-Kathy