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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Local ace Casals, only 13, leads strong field in WSL surfing series Baler leg

Local ace Casals, only 13, leads strong field in WSL surfing series Baler leg

Published Nov 9, 2025 02:46 pm

At A Glance

  • Eyes will be on 13-year-old Cathleya Casals and Aurora's very own in the Baler International Pro QS 4000 and LQS 1000 that puts Sabang Beach on the world surfing map anew from Nov. 17 to 23.
Eyes will be on 13-year-old Cathleya Casals and Aurora’s very own in the Baler International Pro QS 4000 and LQS 1000 that puts Sabang Beach on the world surfing map anew from Nov. 17 to 23.
Casals, who’s been riding Sabang’s waves since she was five, leads a fiery Baler and local contingent in the competition—the second in the four-leg World Surf League (WSL)-organized Philippine series that started two weeks ago in General Luna in Siargao off Cloud 9.
With Casals—ranked No. 17 in the WSL world junior tour alongside compatriots Kaila Jane de la Torre and Mara Lopez—are Neil Sanchez, Allen Magos, John Mark Tokong, Nilbie Blancada and Eduardo Alciso, as well as longboard specialists Mark Agila and Warren Valenzuela.
John Carby, technical director of the official Philippine license holder and event operator SDMI Sports, said the strong Philippine presence in Baler that lured more than a hundred top surfers in the region, makes the competition high-octane.
“But don’t count what Baler offers,” said Carby ahead of the competition supported by Bagong Pilipinas, Philippines Sports Commission chaired by John Patrick “Patò” Gregorio and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. with official radio partner RX 93.1, NYC, LGU Baler,
ASRAI, Kudo Surf, Vissla, Costa Pacifica, Sulong and the Department of Education headed by Secretary Sonny Angara.
“Baler is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines with unique sand bottom waves that make surfing more intense and competitive,” Carby said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to see the competition off the elegant Sabang Beach.”
There will be 52 surfers in the men’s qualifying series and 21 in the women’s side and 14 in women’s longboard qualifying series and 23 in the men’s category in the event that will be streamed live worldsurfleague.com | @wsl @wsl.qs.
Indonesian Bronson Meydi and 16-year-old Australian Ziggy Aloha Mackenzie topped the WSL QS6000 in General Luna town.
After Baler, the WSL goes to La Union from January 11 to 16 and 20 to 26 for the culmination of the Philippine series.
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