All posts tagged elaine abonal

January 2013 Surfista Trip to La Union Highlights

We started the year right by going on a Surfista trip this January 2013! Some Surfistas had their first ever surf lessons, repeat Surfistas had intermediate surf lessons and all of us had a good time and made new friends.

Here are some photo highlights from our trip. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Surfista Travels Philippines, La Union, Class of January 2013 ;)

Elaine Abonal with YouTube celebrity Bogart the Explorer!

Anna’s first time to go surfing!

Freebies from our sponsors at 7107 magazine

Surfistas go for a surf spot and wave check for their surf lessons.

Kevin Mayuga, a loyal Surfista improving on his surfing skills. Last time he was in Baler and this time he joined us in La Union!

Roma heard about Surfista Travels ALL the way from Italy and had her dream come true by joining us and finally learning how to surf!

Morning stretching led by Surfista Travels’ Elaine Abonal before their surf lessons

Armada sunscreen from our sponsors at VMV Hypoallergenics Philippines! BEST sunscreen ever!

Basics being taught on the sand before they get in the water. Safety is a priority at Surfista Travels!

Surfista Travels Philippines is about learning how to surf, going on a surf trip, making new friends, and just having FUN!

THIS is how we treat our Surfistas! We mean quality service! Haha

CONGRATULATIONS to the Surfista graduates of January 2013!

Check out more photos from this trip on the SURFISTA TRAVELS FACEBOOK PAGE.

JOIN US ON OUR FUTURE TRIPS! Check out our TOURS & PACKAGES.

http://www.surfistatravels.com / surfistatravels@yahoo.com / facebook.com/SurfistaTravels / twitter & instagram: @SurfistaTravels

by Elaina on February 14, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged elaine abonal, la union, learn to surf, philippines, surf lessons, surf packages, surf school, surf school philippines, surf tour, surf trip philippines, surfing, surfing lessons, Surfista Travels, surfista travels philippines

Posted by Elaina on February 14, 2013

https://surfistatravels.com/2013/02/14/january-2013-surfista-trip-to-la-union-highlights/

1st Trip to Baler with Surfista Travels Philippines, December 2012

Beautiful Baler

Our happy Surfistas wearing their Hurley-Surfista rashguards before their surf lessons.

Surfista Travels Philippines went on our first trip to Baler on the long weekend of November 30 to December 2, 2012. It was a SUCCESSFUL and memorable trip for all the Surfistas who participated! We even had participants who flew in all the way from Malaysia and Bacolod/Australia and one took the bus all the way from Bicol just to join this group! They said that their trips were definitely worth it. The weather and wave conditions were perfect for our Surfistas and they also got to see the beautiful Mother Waterfalls in between surf lessons.

Aliya Surf Camp

Beautiful weather and perfect conditions for our Surfistas

We stayed at the beautiful Aliya Surf Camp and had lessons with the Aliya Surf School. Surfistas also received a lot of freebies from our amazing sponsors: Hurley Philippines, GoPro Philippines, VMV Hypoallergenics Philippines, Lightwater, Vitaminboost, Agos Pilipinas, 7107 Island Travel Magazine, Nalgene Philippines and Sea To Summit Philippines.

There were a lot of laughs, smiles, good vibes, and pictures taken and we couldn’t have asked for a better pioneer Baler Surfista group.

Check out our photos!

Surfistas on this trip actually got a full tube of Armada Face Cover from VMV Hypoallergenics Philippines!

Keeping hydrated with Vitaminboost!

Surfistas showing off their freebies from our awesome sponsors!

Surfista Travels LOVES VMV Hypoallergenics Philippines’ Armada sunscreen!

Mother Falls in Baler

Surfistas freezing in the cold waters of the Mother Falls in Baler

Australian volunteer in Bacolod Kerry improving her surf skils while she’s still in tropical waters!

Stacy flew in all the way from Malaysia to join this group! She loved surfing!

Repeat Surfista Roma was just in the La Union with us the week before and came back to Baler. Look at her improve quickly!

Hanz is another loyal Surfista who is really serious about improving his craft.

Madeleine is another repeat Surfista who wanted to discover the beauty of Baler with us!

The pioneer Surfista Travels group to Baler with Roy Angara of Aliya Surf Camp

Of course we had to pose this way!

Check out more photos from this trip on the SURFISTA TRAVELS FACEBOOK PAGE or click HERE.

Want to read what our Baler Surfistas about this experience? Check out their COMMENTS.

JOIN US ON OUR FUTURE TRIPS! Check out our TOURS & PACKAGES.

http://www.surfistatravels.com / surfistatravels@yahoo.com / facebook.com/SurfistaTravels / twitter & instagram: @SurfistaTravels

by Elaina on December 26, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Blog

Tagged adventure, aurora, baler, elaine abonal, surfer, surfers, surfing, Surfista Travels, surfista travels philippines, travel

Posted by Elaina on December 26, 2012

https://surfistatravels.com/2012/12/26/1st-trip-to-baler-with-surfista-travels-philippines-december-2012/

Surf Instructors are My Surf Heroes by Elaine Abonal

I just want to say that the real HEROES are the SURF INSTRUCTORS. I’ve seen some of them grow from surf bum kids to responsible hard working men and women who really LOVE their job, their students, and the ocean. They SMILE and push – not only themselves but their students – to stand up, SURF, and HAVE FUN – despite being tired or hungry because of many eager students, despite being under the hot blazing sun, despite being stung by jellyfish, despite shaking in the cold during sunset surf lessons, and despite watching beautiful waves break as they teach. I know many of them have SAVED SO MANY LIVES – children being caught in currents, panic-stricken surfers who lose their boards (like me), non-thinking drunk men who think swimming in their jeans would be cool. They are my heroes.

Me (Elaine) in the white Hurley shirt with the instructors of the San Juan Surf School in La Union, Philippines

“One more, one more.” It takes a lot of encouragement and patience to be an instructor in the water.

When you go take your surf lesson, please know the name of your surf instructor, talk to them, and thank them. They are people with names, lives, and surf dreams – just like you. Be thankful to the person who pushed you into your very first wave because you never know – they could already be changing your life.

All SMILES :)

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I feel honored to be working with you guys and see how professional – in surfing and in instructing – so many of you have become. Let’s keep it up, we’re changing the Philippine surf world. ♥ – Elaine Abonal

All photos by Nikka Corsino and Owen Ballesteros of www.two2travel.com

by Elaina on December 26, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Blog

Tagged elaine abonal, la union, san juan surf school, surf, surfing, Surfista Travels, surfista travels philippines

Posted by Elaina on December 26, 2012

https://surfistatravels.com/2012/12/26/surfinstructorsaremysurfheroes/

Special Christmas with Special Kids :) December 2012

Elaine Abonal of Surfista Travels Philippines spent December 12, 2012 helping Luke Landrigan, Billabong San Juan Surf School and some members of the La Union Surf Club teach special kids (deaf, with developmental or mental disabilities, etc.) how to surf as a special Christmas celebration. The first one was done last year and was a success. The kids had fun so this year the number of kids – and smiles – doubled. This event is usually one of the most quiet surf events we’ve experienced but also one of the most touching and rewarding.

Check out the photos!

Words aren’t needed to know how much FUN this kid is having!!

Anyone and everyone can surf. We shouldn’t be hindered by our disabilities.

This little girl was so brave despite the big waves. Her dad was watching and was so proud of her!

Elaine Abonal of Surfista Travels Philippines getting to join the crew of the San Juan Surf School of La Union

Head Coach Luke Landrigan explaining the basics of surfing (with a translator at his side) to the eager kids.

What a great day for all the instructors, teachers and of course – the students!

Awardings and photo ops with Elaine Abonal, Luke Landrigan, each child’s surf instructor and Mickey Galang of the San Fernando office.

Each child was given a gift bag with Christmas presents from different sponsors. Each one was able to choose a pair of shoes from Sanuk or Native! Merry Christmas indeed!

This wouldn’t have happened without Mickey Galang, Menchie Par, the instructors of Billabong San Juan Surf School, Mark Dimalanta, Lui Tortuya, Don Cui, Mayor Ortega & the different sponsors! Thanks so much for everyone’s help and participation. We are honored to be part of this simple but memorable event. :)

Rappler.com also covered the event. Read their short article and watch their video coverage by clicking HERE.

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by Elaina on December 26, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Blog

Tagged elaine abonal, inspiring, luke landrigan, san juan la union, san juan surf school, special kids, surf, surfing, Surfista Travels, surfista travels philippines

Posted by Elaina on December 26, 2012

https://surfistatravels.com/2012/12/26/special-christmas-with-special-kids-december-2012/

Private Surfista Group: LOVE Family, December 2012 La Union

The LOVE Family (what a great name!) is from New York, USA and was brought by their family from the Philippinesto La Union to surf with Surfista Travels for Christmas! The kids Jordy, Daniel and David – together with their mom Jennifer – must have been the cutest and bravest Surfistas we’ve had so far! It was a great 2 days with this family and an awesome way to spend the Christmas holidays. Check out the following photos to see how much fun we all had.

CONGRATULATIONS to these kids for doing such a great job and for being so brave despite the big waves!