TACLOBAN CITY – To sustain the momentum of surf tourism, the local government of Guiuan and the Department of Labor and Employment have implemented the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program that gives surfing schools in Calicoan Island access to a fund worth P747,108 to purchase lesson boards and equipment.

Photo from Eastern Samar PIO FB

The assistance will enable three surfing schools and one surfboard maker to keep up with the growing surf tourism in Calicoan Island – ABCD Surf, Calicoan Local Surfers, and The Backyad Surf, and surfboard maker Samrayan Surfboard.

The turnover was held recently during the opening of the 14th Calicoan Odyssey Waves Surfing Nationals.

The event runs from October 8 to 13 at the famed ABCD break — a reef break known for its powerful left-handers and fast, challenging waves. 

The break was named after the Advance Base Construction Depot, a critical site for Allied Forces during World War II, adding a unique historical layer to the event. 

Eastern Samar’s premiere surfing competition, this Grade 2 event is sanctioned by the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA) and is a highlight in the national surfing calendar. 

The 2024 Calicoan Odyssey Waves has 140 registered competitors nationwide vying for the title, 750 points in the national ranking system, and a total cash prize of P606,000.

To promote equality in sports, Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan said the competition will award equal points and prize money in the men’s and women’s Divisions across both longboard and shortboard disciplines. 

The national surfing competition is one of priority programs to promote Calicoan as the premier surfing destination in Visayas along with the development of the local surf schools in ABCD Beach.