Siargao's Nilve Blancada wins Roxy Siargao International Women’s Surfing Cup

19-year-old Siargao local Nilve Blancada took down Australian past world tour surfer Kim Wooldridge on May 3 in a tightly contested 30 minute final to the delight and cheers of the excited Filipino spectators gathered at the iconic Cloud 9 tower. 

 

On the third day of the Roxy Siargao International Women’s Surfing Cup that started on May 1st, held at the world class surf destination of Cloud 9 in the Philippines, Blancada first downed ASP Junior Women’s World top 2 Philippa Anderson in the first semi-final before showing off skills and patience beyond her years to win her first ever surfing competition over Wooldridge and bring home a huge winner’s check of $2,500 USD (P120,000).

 

Blancada, who has only been surfing for four years, was an obvious standout throughout the entire competition, during the final patiently waiting out back for the best-shaped waves and then putting together great combinations of maneuvers. Wooldridge was also impressive on her backhand, throwing up big turns and going deep trying to score a barrel ride, but failed to find the wave that would allow her the high score to overtake Blancada.

 

“I’m so happy, so really happy,” gushed Blancada back in the tower surrounded by her admiring friends and spectators. “I was so nervous out there, as I’ve never really surfed with just one other surfer in the water.  But it was good because I knew I just had to find the good waves. So that’s what I tried to do.”

 

When asked what she was going to do with her winnings, she replied, “I’m going to buy a motorbike! Then I’m going to share the other money with my family.”  Blancada comes from a family with 10 children, and says she learned to surf from her sister Nildie and brother Nickie.

 

Kim Wooldridge was smiling and happy as well, saying, “This was so much fun, much different that when I was competing on the world tour. Back then when I would put on the contest jersey I would feel the pressure and have to force myself to try and relax. Here it was so different, I was able to just go out there and have fun. I’m so happy for Nilve, she has a great style and was ripping out there, and for her to win here is awesome!”

 

When Wooldridge heard that the event was happening again this year she immediately booked her ticket and began contacting the friends she made on her first trip during the last 2009 event. Her friend Daisy Valdez from the Northern Philippines wanted to come but was short of cash, so Wooldridge and 2009 event winner Serena Brook sent her the necessary funds so she could come and compete in the event. Valdez lost to Blancada in the quarterfinals, but received $350 for her efforts.

 

Roxy’s Marketing Executive for SEA Holly Monkman was delighted and impressed with the event and the level of surfing displayed by the local girls, saying “The level of surfing I’ve seen in this event was by far the best I’ve seen in South East Asia, and given more opportunities, I would say that they would soon be competitive at the international level. It’s rare to see such a unique and beautiful women’s surfing community anywhere, let alone on a small island in Asia, and I can’t wait to come back and surf here again next year.”

 

A total of 21 women from Australia, England, Germany, Indonesia, Thailand, Switzerland, and the USA competed in the Roxy Siargao International Women’s Surfing Cup from May 1-3, and the event was an absolute success according to the Primer Group of Companies Brand Manager for Roxy, Quiksilver and DC Shoes Dino Gilladoga.

 

“First off, we are really grateful to be part of this opportunity to help and support the women’s surfing scene here in the Philippines,” he said.  “And we couldn’t have done this without the support of the Department of Tourism, the House of Representatives, the Province of Surigao Del Norte, the Tourism Infrastructure, Enterprise Zone Authority, the Municipality of General Luna, the Philippine Surfing Federation and Asian Surfing Championships.”

 

“We’re really stoked how the event turned out considering we had less than two months to prepare. This whole trip to Siargao showed us that there is so much potential from our local girls with Nilve Blancada winning against tough competition. We can’t wait to come back and perhaps do something for Quiksilver next time” he added.  

 

Roxy Siargao International Women’s Surfing Cup Results:

 

1. Nilve Blancada (Philippines) $2,500 USD (P120,000)

2. Kim Wooldridge (Australia) $1,500 USD (P60,000)

Equal 3rd:  Manette Alcala (Philippines) $750 USD (P30,000)

                Philippa Anderson (Australia) $750 USD (P30,000) 

                       

See more photos and videos on Facebook:  Look up Quiksilver Philippines, MyLife on Board, Surfista Travels – Philippines, and Asian Surfing Championship (ASC)!

 

This historic event has the distinction of being both the first-ever Asian Surfing Championship event to be held in the Philippines and the first to receive the top Ultima rating for its P300,000 (approximately $7,000 USD) prize purse in Women’s Division competition.

 

The Roxy Siargao International Women’s Surfing Cup was supported by the Philippine Department of Tourism, the House of Representatives, the Province of Surigao Del Norte, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and the Municipality of General Luna, organized by the Philippine Surfing Federation, and with sponsorship from the Primer Group of Companies, Rockstar Energy Drink, San Miguel Corporation, and media support by Thirty Six-O Media.

 

Roxy Merchandise are available at Roxy Robinsons Place Manila, Roxy SM Davao, Quiksilver stores in SM North Edsa Annex, Nuvali Solenad 2, Alabang Town Center, Harbor Point Subic, SM Cebu, Abreeza Davao, R.O.X. stores, The Travel Club stores, Bratpack stores, Res|Toe|Run stores, Urban Athletics, Toby’s Sports, Rustan’s, Stokedinc., Royal Sporting House, and Chimes Mall Davao. 

 

To know more about Roxy, visit www.roxy.com, www.facebook.com/roxyphilippines, www.twitter. com/roxyphl. ROXY is is exclusively distributed by Primer Group of Companies.

 

Press release and photo from Primer Group of Companies