La Union Surfing Break 2024 Spotlights Surf, Music, Art, Eco-tourism Activities

Thousands of tourists and locals flocked to La Union beaches during the long weekend as the province of La Union once again held the much-anticipated La Union Surfing Break (LUSB) 2024 on November 1-3, 2024 in the towns of San Juan and Bacnotan.

Now in its 19th year, the crowd-drawing event featured waves of fun and exciting activities such as different sports, music fests, arts competition and different eco-friendly activities.

LUSB kicked-off with a pre-event surfing competition on October 22-23 which was participated in by local surfers competing in the longboard and shortboard category. 

For the San Juan Leg, aside from the local surfing competition, the event showcased the ’Palit Basura’ Program, Tour-tle: Journey with the Flippers, and the Music Festival. 

The ‘Palit Basura’ Program encouraged tourists and surf enthusiasts to collect trash and Polyethylene (PET)-classified plastic bottles along the Urbiztondo beach in exchange for LUSB merchandise.

As the province embraces the shared commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable tourism, one of the activities is the Tour-tle: Journey with the Flippers. In collaboration with non-government organization Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions (CURMA), the program seeks to educate local students and tourists about the biology of sea turtles, threats and ways to save them. 

Gov. Raphaelle Veronica "Rafy" Ortega-David led the opening of the Music Festival.

Incredible talent, amazing performances and music filled the night as local and national bands performed during the Music Festival which was held at the Waves Point, Brgy. Panicsican, San Juan, La Union.

Bands such as Dream Seven, Zoom Zoom Lunacy, Agsunta and TagaElyu and Personalities such as Jiking and Michael Dutchi Libranda graced the Music Festival.

In her speech, Gov. Rafy attributed the launching of the LUSB to the remarkable achievement and contribution of the local surfers. She proudly shared how LUSB and surfing transformed the tourism sector of the province.

"In this significant event, I would like to recognize the reasons why we have this celebration. Our dear local surfers who have brought home so much pride to our province," Gov. Ortega-David said.

"It is only right that we celebrate our waves, our surfing community, and our La Union tourism industry," she added.

For the Bacnotan Leg, jampacked activities were enjoyed by locals and tourists such as the Eco Booth Camp, Beach Volleyball, Free Surfing Clinic, Surfboard Painting Competition, Zumbaybay, Battle of the Bands, Foam Party and many more. It was staged at the Quirino-Galongen Surfing site in Brgy. Quirino in the said town. 

Bandang Lapis and Antipara serenaded the crowd during the Music Festival. 

To support local businesses and promote La Union's rich food heritage, almost thirty micro small and medium enterprises also displayed a wide array of delectable local delicacies in the Surftown Market. 

LUSB 2024 theme and activities revolves around the steadfast commitment of La Union in fostering unity and in promoting environmental protection and conservation. 

As data from various tourism establishments are still to be consolidated, the La Union Provincial Tourism Office expects an increase in tourist arrivals from 300,000 tourists last year. 

The event remained generally peaceful and no untoward incidents recorded as local authorities and other force multipliers maintained the public order and security in the venue.

Launched in 2006, the LUSB is usually held during the semestral break which allows students from Manila, Baguio and other cities in Luzon experience the waves and exciting activities that La Union has to offer.

LUSB is a DOT Hall of Fame award-winning event, dubbed as the Best Tourism Event in the Philippines for Sports, Adventure and Wellness.