You might wonder why we decided to start another Surf Camp here. Today, I – Ay, one of the founders – want to share a bit of the story behind it.
Hi, I’m Ay. I am more of an adopted local – or maybe a returning one. My mom is from this paradise-like island, but she moved abroad in search of a more secure life. She met my dad, fell in love and decided to stay. I’m deeply grateful that they gave me a childhood full of safety and opportunities.
Still, after studying, moving to a big city and following what’s considered the “right path,” I found myself longing for the place where I spent my summer holidays: Catanduanes. This island is part of me and I always felt connected to both of my cultures.
In my early twenties, I started surfing – taking my first lessons at Puraran Surf Resort – and when I eventually moved back here, the local surfing community welcomed me with open arms. I learned side by side with locals, made lifelong friends and slowly found my place here.
When more Surf Camps started to open, I saw how great that was – it brought new energy and job opportunities to the island. But I also began to understand how much passion and risk are involved in this lifestyle. Things aren’t always stable: sometimes there are no waves, sometimes a typhoon hits, sometimes a coach gets hurt in an accident. And social systems like healthcare and insurance aren’t as accessible here as they are in places like Germany, where I grew up.
What really touched me was how the community always comes together in times of need – helping each other, finding solutions, showing up for one another.
That’s what inspired Malaya Surf. Not just another surf business – but a small, personal space where we can do what we love with freedom, safety and solidarity. A place where we support not only our students, but also our local crew, friends and the next generation of surfers.
When I heard my friends talk about wanting their own program, I asked them: “Are you ready to take the risk?” A few days later, I found myself in an elevator pitch, drawing on everything I had learned in design, marketing and surfing to make it real.
Malaya means freedom – and that’s what we hope to create here. Freedom to surf. Freedom to dream. Freedom to grow.
