Jacking Horse - Newbie's Surfing Spot in Siargao, Island!

There is no best way to experience Siargao Island but to SURF!

No experience? No worries! Siargao is packed with friendly local coaches that will help you have a fun, beginner's experience surfing its awesome waves! And the best place to do that is at JACKING HORSE surf spot.

Let me show you...

To get there, one can simply ride a tricycle for a price of 20-30 pesos or less than a dollar per person depending on where you are coming from. There is no entrance fee once you get here. Just simply go inside and follow this wide trail.

We were lucky to have clear skies and sunny weather. If you are not used to being at the beach all the time like me, then you would need sunscreen for this.

At this intersection, two paths lead to different areas although seems like the place is all lined up with homestays, hostels, restaurants, cafes, and surf shops.

The other path...

And right just in the middle, locals/surf coaches gather around to wait for passersby and offer their services. Well, seeing us, obvious tourists, they immediately invited us to surf. They were very keen on making us go surfing especially since we are more than 2 people - 3 adults and 3 kids to be exact.

Well, for beginners it is a standard fee of Php 500 or $9 per hour however for kids it was Php 700 because 2 instructors were needed for each kid - one who pushes the boards and the other one who catches them on the other side. And they also paid an extra Php300 or $5.45 to another person to take photos and videos on their phone.

Unfortunately, I couldn't join in on the fun as I was a bit cautious about not injuring my spine and knee which had just recently healed. I couldn't risk it knowing as well that there were no hospitals and only 2 clinics on the island. I wasn't at all jealous as I already tried surfing a couple of times and I would also prefer the bigger waves and so I know it wasn't my time yet to ride the waves during this visit.

But I am so excited for my friends and their kids to try surfing for the very first time! I knew well that they will enjoy this experience. And so we placed our things at a nearby table and wait straight into learning the basics with these awesome local surf coaches.

If I remembered it right, it took about 15-20 minutes for the coaches to demonstrate the proper way to lie on the surfboard, stand up, and the proper stance while riding the waves. While adults learned it quickly, the coaches took their time teaching the kids so they stand on their own and be able to have fun on the water. The kids took their time and listened to the instructions well.

And later on, they were all headed out to the sea...

Fine, white sand, crystal clear waters, sunny bright weather, and steady, rolling waves in the distant. It was but the perfect setting to have their first-ever surfing experience. A few people were enjoying some quiet time sitting under the coconut trees and watching the surfers do their thing.

Once you are in the water though, you should be walking carefully as the seafloor is very rocky and had sharp edges.

I still went with them toward where the surfers gathered to cheer on the kids and take some videos. The first 30 minutes were all about being able to stand on the board while the coaches push them as the waves came in. It took them time to have their bearings on the board but past half the hour, they were all having the momentum of being able to ride the waves longer. They were all smiles after that short but fulfilling experience.