Surfers storm post-Mawar waves

A surfer seen here takes a break from the waves behind Aquarius Beach Tower Hotel in Chalan Kanoa last Friday. Local surfers took to the beach to catch some decent waves after the passing of Typhoon Mawar last week, as they said after a storm is when waves break bigger and cleaner—which Saipan’s beaches don’t see often. (LEIGH GASES)

The surfing community did not let up the chance to catch some waves as the seas swelled during the passing of Typhoon Mawar last week.

The thrill of the chase for some great waves that CNMI waters don’t normally see brought out flocks of local surfers to the beach behind Aquarius Beach Tower Hotel in Chalan Kanoa as Mawar continued to rough up the waters last Friday.

Joe Villacrusis, a surfer of five years, said that the surf when they went out was good. “We have had some decent waves at the back of Aquarius since the day of the typhoon. The waves were cleaner on Friday and Saturday.”

When asked why they go out even with rougher waters than usual, he said, “To be honest, most of us get excited when we get surf. We don’t always get them, especially [heading] into summer. It was unfortunate this super typhoon came and we pray for all those who got affected and we wish them a speedy recovery. However, the truth is, after a storm passes us, we look forward to surfing.”

He did heed a warning for those wanting to surf during or after a storm passes: “Of course we don’t want to encourage people to go out during the storm or even after the storm to surf because it can get rough and current can get so strong especially that channel behind Aquarius. There are other surf spots around Saipan but those are a bit more dangerous especially after a storm. The more experienced surfers go out to these spots. For less experienced surfers, Aquarius is a safer place to be. It’s not always 100% safe as many people have experienced being swept out, but it’s definitely safer than the other spots.”

“Surfing can be fun but could also be dangerous. So my advice to anyone wanting to surf is to know the conditions of the water, get information from experienced surfers, and when in doubt,  don’t go out,” said Villacrusis. “The best thing about surfing is forgetting about all the stresses in life—just you and the ocean [at] that moment.”

For ​​Salam Younis, a surfer of about 10 years, he said the “surf was good, we’ll take what we can get. One hour in the morning about three hours after work… Know your limits.”

Ed Manibusan, who has been surfing for 20 years, also said “The surf was not bad. Pre/post storms bring swells but also a lot [of] wind and rain [and] the rip currents are much stronger. I went out in the morning and evening on Friday, and Saturday afternoon. Conditions were not as clean but there was definitely power and occasional size in the surfing areas at Sugar Dock. Especially during storms, it’s best to have a surf buddy or someone watching you from the shore.” He said for safety out in the water during stormy waters, know your physical abilities and be aware of rip currents. “Like other surfers we use visual markers to understand the directions you are drifting. Safety should always be your No. 1 priority anytime you get in the water,” he said.