The Surf Is Their Turf
Condé Nast Traveler US|December 2024
On the sun-drenched Filipino island of Siargao, a tight-knit community of wave riders is keeping it real in the face of change.
Chris Schalkx
The Surf Is Their Turf

ON AN EARLY JUNE MORNING off the southeastern shore of Siargao, pro surfer Ikit Agudo skillfully maneuvers her board through the waves. This teardrop-shaped island, long a domestic secret but on the verge of becoming a hot spot, has always been home for Agudo, who was born and raised on Siargao, in a community she describes as uniformly friendly and thoughtful. During the morning we spend out on the sea, I see friends and strangers saluting one another on the lineups. Experts guide amateurs; fellow surfers extend invitations to break bread together after the session. All paddle out together to face the ocean as one.

This story is from the December 2024 edition of Condé Nast Traveler US.

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This story is from the December 2024 edition of Condé Nast Traveler US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

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