Most of us know of Siargao being the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines” and being dubbed as the “Surfers’ Paradise”, while Samar ranking second. So I decided to feature Zambales for those who would like to try surfing especially those in NCR and Central Luzon area.
I have always wanted to learn surfing as a kid, always admired people riding waves, specially those I see riding huge wall of waves. I think they are just amazing, and so here I am trying it and since this is my first time, I chose to surf in Zambales. Zambales is just 3-4 hours away from Manila, and so far the nearest surfing spot I know. I also have plans of trying waves of Bales in the near future but I choose to learn from the most accessible spot.
Welcome to Crystal Beach Resort, a couple of kilometers away from Subic, Zambales. There are also surfing spots in San Antonio but Crystal Beach is the most talked-about in the area.
The Lesson Proper
Lecture took 30 minutes, enough for us to learn the basics of Level 1 surfing since we were mostly first-timers; the Do’s and Don’ts, Proper posture, Foot stance, Arm position, Basic safety & emergency procedures, and Basic balance.
With new friends Jeri and Gianne attentively listening to the lecturer
Instructor Mark giving demo on how to paddle
Finding the perfect spot to surf at
Action!!!
At first I was nervous about the worse things that could happen mentioned by the instructors. So I was very careful of not getting any accident and knowing myself, I am indeed “Accident Prone”. Lol. Been through many accidents in my past adventures so I didn’t want any more for the day and fortunately, I didn’t get any except for 2 times getting hit by the board because of the strong current. But nevertheless, it was great surfing experience!
That’s me on my first set of attempts riding the waves, photo credit to Crystal Beach Resort
After I posted this photo as my profile picture, I have received questions on how easy was it to stand on the board. The answer is; it took me just an hour to almost perfect balancing and my instructor already put me on Level 2. It’s not that I’m great, I mean, hey, it’s not really that hard. You just have to learn the proper posture, and balancing your body on the board and the next thing you know, you’re surfing farther and farther.
I have plans of getting back probably on August, so if you want to learn this, maybe we could just share the gas, go on backpack, bring tents, and food, stay overnight and surf again on the next morning of tell me if you have anything better in mind. Just hit my contact page and I’ll surely get back to you. 
Surfing Rates
Crystal Beach offers a very affordable rate of PHP400 (USD9) per session which lasted us 2 hours, 30 minutes for lectures and 1 hour 30 minutes application, of which PHP200 goes to instructor’s fee. Not bad. I remember renting a stand up paddle boat in Nagsasa Cove, San Antonio for PHP500 per hour.
Surfing Rates at Crystal Beach Resort
How to get there
Via Private Transport
From Manila, go by NLEX – SCTEX route and take the exit from Subic, Olongapo. From Subic, follow the route going to San Antonio, San Narciso is the town nextto it. Ask the locals for instructions going to the resort, you won’t have a hard-time finding it as it just nearby the town proper.
Via Public Transport
Board a bus going to Olongapo, from Victory Liner bus terminal, board a bus bound for Iba, Zambales. Tell the conductor to drop you at the the town proper of San Narciso. Take a tricycle going straight to the resort. It would cost you only PHP30 (less than USD1).
Contact Crystal Beach Resort
