By Erwin M. Mascariñas
Correspondent .
A surfing association for professionals based in Siargao Island is pushing for a strict implementation on the municipal ordinance on surfing that covers surfing lessons and instructors in the town of General Luna town in Siargao Island.
On August of 2018, the municipal council of the local government unit in General Luna passed the surfing rules and regulations ordinance of 2018 which prescribes the rules and regulations for the conduct of surfing activities and operation of surf schools, surf shops, resorts offering surf lesson services and surf instructors within the territorial jurisdiction of the municipality of General Luna, Surigao del Norte.
“Thankfully the municipal council of General Luna passed what is also known as the General Luna Surfing Rules and Regulations Ordinance of 2018. While the battle in creating the policy has been won, the task now is on pushing for the strict implementation of this law,” said Wilmar Melindo, president of Siargao Island Surfing Association (SISA).
Melindo explained that after Siargao was declared as Asia’s best island, they feared that more people who are coming would want to experience and learn surfing.
“Unfortunately, only a few are qualified surfing instructors,” he said
SISA revealed that throughout the entire island of Siargao, there are only about 200 qualified Surfing instructors, with only 14 who are qualified to give training and certifications for those who want to become professional surfing instructors.
According to the municipal ordinance, only SISA members with certified identification cards are allowed to engage in surf lesson services as well as each member should be fully trained and proficient in ocean safety, First Aid, Basic Life Support, Water Search and Rescue, surfing and surf instructions in conjunction with the International Surf Association (ISA) guidelines.
Any one providing surf lessons is required to join the SISA Surf Instructor Program, which shall be categorized into Level 1, 2 and 3.
The organization emphasized that included in the ordinance; beginners are only allowed to take the lesson at designated spots, namely, the Inner Jacking Horse, the Quicksilver but only 2ft or below surf forecast, Right side of Tower 2 (below Cloud Nine).
As for intermediate level surfing lessons, only SISA Levels 2 and 3 only are allowed to teach. Level 1 instructors may likewise be allowed only from June 1 to July 31 but not when the forecast is 3ft or above. These lessons can only be carried out on these spots; Graveyard/Cemetery, Boulevard, Daku, Stimpy’s, Rock Island, Outer Jacking Horse, and Tuason Point but only in June and July.
As for experts surfer, SISA will only provide guidance with level 3 instructors as to where to surf and named the designated areas as Cloud Nine, Santa Fe, Philippine Deep, and Tuazon Point.
The ordinance indicated that surfer, instructor, and student under the influence of alcohol and prohibited drugs shall not be allowed to surf as well as no recreational swimming shall be allowed in all surfing spots identified herein except for surfing related activities as it might cause collision and harm to both the swimmer and the student.
A regulated rate of P300 per hour for professional fee and P200 an hour for the rent of the surfboard will be implemented. A fine of P500 or P2,500 shall punish any person who violates the provisions of the ordinance, depending on the gravity of the offense.
Business establishments contracting or subcontracting to non-certified surf instructors shall be subject to a fine of P2,000 for each surf lesson.
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