Cathleya Casals to lead Philippine surfers at Baler International Pro QS 4000 and LQS 1000

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Thirteen-year-old Cathleya Casals and a strong local contingent from Aurora will compete in the Baler International Pro QS 4000 and LQS 1000 from November 17 to 23, putting Sabang Beach back on the world surfing map. Casals has been riding Sabang’s waves since she was five and leads the Philippine squad in this second leg of the four-part WSL-organized Philippine series, which began two weeks ago in General Luna, Siargao.

Cathleya Casals rides a wave at Sabang Beach ahead of the Baler International Pro QS 4000. [photo credit: WSL]

Philippine surfers line up for high-level competition

Casals, ranked No. 17 on the WSL world junior tour alongside compatriots Kaila Jane de la Torre and Mara Lopez, will compete alongside Neil Sanchez, Allen Magos, John Mark Tokong, Nilbie Blancada, Eduardo Alciso, and longboard specialists Mark Agila and Warren Valenzuela.

John Carby, technical director of SDMI Sports — the official Philippine license holder and event operator — said the strong local presence has attracted more than a hundred top surfers in the region.

Sabang Beach offers world-class waves

“But don’t underestimate what Baler offers,” Carby said. Supported by Bagong Pilipinas, the Philippine Sports Commission, PAGCOR, RX 93.1, NYC, LGU Baler, ASRAI, Kudo Surf, Vissla, Costa Pacifica, Sulong, and the Department of Education, Baler is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines. Its unique sand-bottom waves make surfing more intense and competitive.

Carby added that the event is a fantastic opportunity for fans to witness high-level surfing on elegant Sabang Beach.

Event details and future WSL Philippine series legs

The competition features 52 surfers in the men’s qualifying series, 21 in the women’s side, 14 in the women’s longboard qualifying series, and 23 in the men’s longboard category. The event will be streamed live at worldsurfleague.com and on WSL social media channels (@wsl, @wsl.qs).

In the previous leg at General Luna, Indonesian Bronson Meydi and 16-year-old Australian Ziggy Aloha Mackenzie topped the WSL QS6000. After Baler, the WSL Philippine series moves to La Union from January 11 to 16 and January 20 to 26 for its final leg.