GENERAL LUNA, SIARGAO — The Local Government Unit of General Luna has extended its warmest congratulations to local surfer Kai Alcala for capturing the Men's Open Shortboard championship at the 2026 Safe Surf Bagasbas CamNorte National Competition. The victory, secured at Bagasbas Beach in Daet, Camarines Norte, adds another milestone to the young surfer's growing list of achievements and brings honor to his hometown of General Luna, Siargao Island.
A Rising Star with Deep Roots in Siargao
Kai Alcala's journey in surfing began at a remarkably young age. Born and raised in Siargao, he first gained attention as a six-year-old prodigy riding the waves of Cloud 9, his home break and one of the world's most famous surfing spots. By age eight, he was already competing against surfers twice his size in the Siargao National Surfing Cup, where he turned heads by snagging a clean overhead wave in the final minute of his heat. Now based in New South Wales, Australia, Kai continues to train and compete on the international junior circuit, recently winning the Under-18 Boys division at the Queensland Juniors competition, where he delivered a standout aerial maneuver on his final waves to secure victory. His mother is a five-time Philippine National Surfing Champion, and his uncle is a three-time Cloud 9 International Masters Champion, making surfing a deeply ingrained part of his family's legacy.
The 2026 Safe Surf Bagasbas CamNorte National Competition
The competition where Kai claimed his latest title was part of the 3rd National Surf Summit and Competition, held from September 23 to 29, 2026, at Bagasbas Beach in Daet. The event drew 269 competitors from established surfing destinations across the Philippines, including Siargao, Baler, Zambales, Samar, Quezon, and La Union. Sanctioned by the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA), the summit carried the theme "Building Safe and Sustainable Surfing" and featured a national surfing competition across open shortboard, longboard, junior, and masters categories. The event also launched the National Surf Tourism Road Map and Action Plan, a strategic framework for the sustainable development of surf tourism destinations nationwide.
A Victory That Inspires the Next Generation
For General Luna, Kai Alcala's achievement is more than just a championship title, it is a source of pride and an inspiration for young surfers across the island. His journey from a six-year-old grom at Cloud 9 to a national champion competing on the international stage demonstrates the power of passion, discipline, and perseverance. As the local government unit proudly congratulated Kai, it also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting homegrown athletes and nurturing the next generation of Filipino surfers. Padayon, Kai—keep riding the waves and reaching greater heights.
