URBIZTONDO BEACH, San Juan, La Union, Philippines (Monday, January 19, 2026) – Close to 120 longboarders, representing 24 nations across the globe, have arrived in the Philippines for the World Surf League (WSL) La Union International Pro. The first-of-its-kind World Longboard Tour Qualifier has drawn some of the sport’s biggest names hoping to earn one of the two spots per gender available on the 2026 Longboard Tour for the winners and runners-up. With a competition window opening tomorrow, January 20, and running through January 24, 2026, all eyes will be on La Union’s prime point-break of Monzaliza at Urbiztondo Beach.
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The large draw includes a wide range of veterans and rising stars, each looking to stake their claim on the highly coveted Longboard Tour spots. Familiar names like 2025 event runner-up Natsumi Taoka (JPN), Ben Skinner (GBR), Katlin Mikkelsen (USA), and Phil Rajzman (BRA), the two-time World Longboard Champion, are joined by current Longboard Tour standouts António Dantas (POR), Ginger Caimi (ITA), Taka Inoue (JPN), and his sister, 2024 event winner Kaede Inoue (JPN), as well as fresh challengers like Mare Robroch (NDL), Noah Hogle (USA), Alana Johnson (HAW), and Raony Portilla (FRA).
All of these hopefuls will also come up against the incredible depth of local talent, who not only have the skills but the added bonus of local knowledge. Led by current World No. 8, Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL), the undefeated three-time event winner, the local contingent includes Daisy Dela Torre (PHL), Roger Casogay (PHL), Mara Lopez (PHL), 2025 Longboard Tour Rookie Jomarie Ebueza (PHL), and many more. A Semifinal finish in last year’s edition of the event played a large part in 23-year-old Ebueza’s rise to the international stage, and his mastery of his home break could once again prove effective in seeing him on tour.
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“It’s such an honor to have this event here in our hometown and to represent my country,” Ebueza said. “For my preparation, I’ve just been training hard and focusing on my goals, because I want to go back on the World Longboard Tour this year. Good luck to all the athletes competing, let’s go.”
Last year’s North American regional qualifier, Malia Ilagan (USA), is excited to return to the Philippines as she looks to regain her place on the Longboard Tour. Having claimed victory in the 2024 Queen of the Point invitational event at La Union, Ilagan is no stranger to the land of her ancestors. The 19-year-old burst onto the scene with a Semifinal finish in the first event of the season, the US Open of Surfing, ultimately finishing the year just outside the top 10 that automatically requalified. Ilagan now looks to repeat her prior success on the long walls of Monaliza Point in order to return to the main stage.
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“It’s a big event and I’m excited to get fun waves here in the Philippines,” Ilagan said. “Both my parents were born here and raised here, and so being back in the Philippines is so special to me for that reason. I feel like everyone is so welcoming and everyone is family and I’m always so happy just being here. As far as the competitive aspect, it’s just a fun time and it’s extra special being in my homeland.”
One of competitive longboarding’s biggest rising stars, New Zealand’s Jack Tyro (NZL), is present in the Philippines looking to earn qualification to the Longboard Tour for the first time. In 2025, Tyro received his first opportunity to compete on the elite tour at the Bells Beach Longboard Classic, where his strong showing included coming within 0.07 of a point of defeating the No. 1 seed Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS), who went on to win the 2025 World Longboard Title. The 19-year-old Tyro has been enjoying his first-ever visit to South-East Asia as he gears up for competition.
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“It’s my first time being in the Philippines and it’s such a nice little log wave,” Tyro said. “I’ve never actually been to Asia or Indonesia or anywhere like that, so it’s awesome being somewhere warmer and the people are really nice and welcoming. It’s cool to be at a competition where you’re surfing with everyone from around the globe. To get on the world tour you’ve got to beat the best. So for the best to literally be in one spot is an awesome opportunity and it gives everyone a second chance to get on the tour so it’s awesome.”
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The La Union International Pro will be held at Monaliza Point at Urbiztondo Beach, San Juan, La Union, Philippines, from January 20-24, 2026.