Be malaya with us!
A little bit about us – Malaya is a Filipino word that means “free” or “freedom.” For us, it’s more than just a name — it reflects our journey. We created this surf program to be free: free to do what we love every day, free to make a living from surfing. Malaya stands for taking back ownership — building something by locals, for locals and here to share it with you.
✨ A HOMEGROWN SURF CULTURE
Malaya Surf is built on local knowledge, respect for the ocean and community. Every part of your experience is shaped by island life and the people who call it home.
🌱 GIVING BACK TO THE ISLAND
Fair wages. Sustainable tourism. Creative workshops that empower island community. Donations to train the next generation of surfers in Catanduanes. Your stay supports local jobs — keeping the surf spirit alive for future generations.
🌊 DESIGNED FOR YOU GIRL!
A full cultural surf experience for girls from all over the world — who want connection, immersion and purpose.
☀ HOW IT STARTED
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.