Sabang Daguitan Surf Camp

A 'real surfing' camp, not a skimboarding camp like at San Jose, which I learned, is its sister facility.

I did not know there is 'surfing' in this area, until this morning. I even just accidentally saw this signage at a corner along the national highway, as we were passing by Dulag going to Abuyog (both in Leyte).

That is the national highway. I took the photo as we were already turning left to follow that signage.

Even as we approached the gate (yes this beach is 'gated'), I could already see this is a wide beach..,

At the gate, I saw info that this 'camp' is owned/managed by a cooperative supported by Gina Lopez.

And just as I thought.., wide.., spacious beach indeed! More than a hundred meters to the water line!

Notable notes: 1) The artsy signage at left is the first picture above. I like the wood carving, it creates a rustic fee! 2) There are no big trees (yet) in the whole expanse, from the time you enter the gate. But I saw that they already planted talisay trees at strategic points. Otherwise, this must be hot at midday.

The cottages at far right are called 'Balay Katurugan' (sleeping houses) - rooms in duplex cottages.

The big house on foreground is a function hall where parties, meetings, seminar workshops are held.

Oh here's a frontal view of that hall. They call this 'Balay Uswagan' (front of, or the main house?)..,

I had fun reading (and understanding) the challengingly adorable nomenclature of their structures and or services. They're mostly in profound, now-rarely-used Waray-waray terms! Adds to the "aliw factor"!

Napa-research ako by asking around.., 'uswag' as a noun, means living room, which in Filipino culture is also the receiving room. So, I guess, that, or in there is also the resort's reception or front desk area!

Ah.., across the concrete path, to my left, was the easiest 'building name' to understand - Tindahan!

That wall is actually the side of the hut. The storefront is at right. BUT, that advertised product was/is also new to me! Something you apply onto the part of a surfboard where your feet or body touches, to provide friction so you don't slide and fall off the board! It can also be applied to the rim, so you have a firm grip of the board while paddling out. Wow! I didn't know surf boarding is that technical. Scientific!

Additional learning!

Their paths and gardens are reminiscent of the Sohoton Visitor's Center - they are lined with stones!

That house amid the vegetable garden (utanan) is the 'Balay Kaunan' (restaurant). Here's a bigger pic!

It is breezy-cool in that restaurant! The food is pretty regular Pinoy fare, so everything is marasa!

A few steps from the restaurant, still with good views of the sea, you see this fairly grown tree..,

Nice enough shade to light up a cigarette or two or more! Why more, because there is a 'duyan' there!

Yes the restaurant faces the sea, but behind it are also interesting views (inviting in fact).., because of this vegetable nursery and garden, where the cooperative 'pick' some of their restaurant's ingredients!

I was told many visitors go down there for a closer curious look at the vegetables, fruits and flowering plants. Some even purportedly buy seedlings to be grown on their own gardens. Isn't that interesting?

Oh, the bigger hut in the middle of this picture is the "Tindahan" I mentioned above. That's it's front.

The smaller hut to its right is a 'burgeran' (burger joint), a favorite haunt of the younger generation!

I dared walk to the water's edge on a sunny midday! Well, it was just 10:43AM but uncomfortably hot.

This beach is so wide, the water is rather a far walk than what I would consider comfortable if I was just going for a swim. And there is literally no tree or structure to take cover from the noon time sun.

Looking around, I think even if it was a high tide, the water's edge would still be unusually far for it to be comfortable. But can probably be a good stroll or play area on early mornings or late afternoons.

I reached the water's edge anyway.., and looking right.., this was my view.., it is 'wavier' at the end!

In front of me, the water was almost calm. Probably good for those of us who are not into surfing.

Looking to the left, the waves were a little bigger, yet no way near what it is at Calicoan.

But there were about 10 people surfing. Yet I wondered how this kind of sea could be good for surfing. I guess this is for folks who want to learn or still learning, not for professionals seeking 'barrel waves'!

Alright, I couldn't stay long. It was painfully hot! So I turned around to go back and this was the scene.

I smiled amused watching those two surfers returning to dry land. They had to use their surfboard to shield themselves from the excruciatingly hot sun hehe. I haven't seen anything like that anywhere yet!

Notice there is a lifeguard tower but no lifeguard. Maybe because it was noontime and there were few people on the beach. In my humble opinion though, few as they are, they still need to be watched by a lifeguard. Otherwise, do not build a tower if you don't/can't post a lifeguard and erect signs saying so.

Look also at the upper-right corner of the photo. They have a concrete toilet and shower out on this area. Good, since this is far from any of the cottages. I wonder though, where do their effluents go?!

Look out there at the back. There's a river, and they even built a big concrete dike on that side. That's nice 'no? And the area is lined with solar-powered perimeter lights! Whoa, amply funded cooperative!

My back still to the sea (pacific ocean actually), here is a view of the rest of the camp from the beach!

The five open cottages are for day-use rentals. There are more at right (not in picture) and I heard they are soon going to build more of those. Their cottages with room accommodations are far at the back.

But I really had fun watching those two surfers make a better scientific use of their board. So epic!

Oh, here's another look at the 'Balay Kaunan' (restaurant). It looks even nicer viewed from the sea.

From this far, I could see my 'pilot' waiting at one of the tables with our lunch ready! Yes we had lunch here - grilled fish and grilled liempo - but for whatever miraculous reason, I forgot to take pics on that!

While at lunch, I asked some of the crews (the members of their cooperative) as to why there were no big trees in this wide an expanse of property, yet newly planted coconuts and all were growing naman.

So they told me.., that the area is mostly "new land" pushed up shore by Yolanda. Wow!

An interesting find. I hope to be back and stay overnight at one of their 'Balay Katurugan'!

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