Jay-R Esquivel rode his way to the top and became the lone Filipino winner in the inaugural World Surf League (WSL) Baler International Pro after ruling the men’s longboard qualifying series (LQS) Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the Sabang Beach in Aurora. 

The title win was a fitting sequel to the 27-year-old surfer’s successful title defense in the La Union International Pro LQS at the Urbiztondo Beach, Monalisa Point last Jan. 26. 

The pride of La Union bested Kai Hamase of Japan to keep the trophy on local shores. Esquivel tallied 17.40 in clinching the title while Hamase scored 15.65. Japanese Taka Inoue and Filipino RJ finished tied for third place in the competition that saw 124 participants across the world. 

In the women’s side, Filipina Daisy Valdez made it to the podium after finishing second behind Japanese Natsumi Taoka. Taoka dazzled on the waves to score 12.50 against 10.35 of Valdez. 

The WLS-sanctioned competition was simultaneously held with the first-ever World Skate-recognized Southeast Asian Street Skateboarding Competition in Baler’s newly built skatepark which ran from Feb. 1 to 6.