In 1972, American surfer Stephen Scott discovered the powerful Pacific waves of Baler. He left behind a surfboard that would eventually ignite a local surfing movement.

That surfboard came into the hands of Raul Tolentino, Baler’s first local surfer. His passion for the waves quickly spread, inspiring others. Before long, a new generation embraced surfing, unknowingly building what would become the largest and longest-running surfing community in the country.

Together, they established the Aurora Surf Riders Association Inc. (ASRAI)—a legacy shaped by saltwater, sunshine, and shared passion.

On August 6, 2023, through Republic Act No. 11957, authored by Hon. Rommel Rico T. Angara, Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and sponsored in the Senate by Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara, the Municipality of Baler in the Province of Aurora was officially declared the Birthplace of Philippine Surfing. This recognition affirms its status as one of the country’s premier surfing destinations and its important role in the history of Philippine surfing.