RIDING A SURF BOARD IN THE DULAG AREA 40 MINUTES FROM TACLOBAN BUT RARE

Riding a Surf Board  in the Dulag Area 32km from Tacloban

At times you see the locals riding surf boards in the Dulag Area but on rare occasions as the conditions must be right. This occurs in the barangay San Jose. This is a different San Jose near the airport in Tacloban and is a barangay of Dulag. The location is approximately 32 kms from Tacoban city on the highway to ‘Bay Bay” I pass this area at least twice a week on my way to Tacloban.

SAN JOSE A BARANGAY OF DULAG HAS A SURF FROM TIME TO TIME BUT RARE

WAITING FOR THE RIGHT WAVE

SKIM BOARDING IS THE MAIN PAST TIME

Most of the time the local people are into skim board riding. This also requires skill but in is an enjoyable pastime. The pass time has become so popular they opened a business style report: San Jose Skim Board Park. It seems to becoming more popular. The entrance fee is 20 peso and families can visit and rent a seaside cottage and just relax.

Entrance to San Jose Skim Board Park 7 km from Dulag Town Proper

Beach Cottages at the Skim Board Park

Skim boarding involves running, dropping the board in the water and mounting on the board. Then glide over the small waves before it breaks on the shore line. While skim boarding is a variation of surfing but can be carried out on smaller waves

Skim boards are flat and shorter than surf boards. A skim board has no fin like a surf board and heavier than an average surf board as buoyancy is not really required. The skim boards I have seen appear to be made out of marine ply.

Just being by the sea side is relaxing. My surf board days from Australia are well over. But is good to see people enjoy themselves by the sea no matter what they doing.

The Dualg area is not commercialized for tourists and maybe a bit basic for some. There are a few small resorts in the area. If you visit you may want to bring your own foods and drinks. Before I moved to this area I would bring an esky (chilli bin) to keep the food safe and of course the beer cold. I would stop off at Robinsons Place as all the food is there including imported meats. You can also buy bags of ice. Nb One thing I have learnt in the Philippines they do not put an emphasis on cold beer. One time I was asked how cold do you want the beer? “Cold enough to make the teeth ache but that is the Australian in me.”

Another view of the area looking back towards Tolosa

Getting here.

You may have a private car but if you are on a budget you can catch a jeepney, Tacloban to Dulag  or a white air con van going to La Paz or Abuyog Link to area map

SAN JOSE DULAG MAP   Note the San Jose Skim Board Park is approximately 7km before reaching Dulag on the left hand side travelling from Tacloban

Final thoughts.
There are plenty of tourist sites to visit and things to do in Tacloban City. If you are on an extended stay you may be looking for a change or somewhere different to visit not too far from the city. This area has not been commercialized in the sense of a tourist destination. The main tourist attraction here is Hill 120 where the first American Flag was raised in the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese during WW2. This blog is to make people aware of alternatives to your stay in the area

Have a great day and do not hesitate to email me if you require additional information.