Even if you don’t surf, you’ve likely caught a glimpse of award-winning pro surfer and instructor Luke Landrigan. Many a girl has braved the long drive to San Juan Surf School in La Union to see this popular pin-up.
Introduced to the sport by his dad at just 8 years old, Landrigan has been surfing almost every day of his life. The Australian-Filipino has won numerous surf competitions for both short board and long boarding in the country.
In November 2008, he led the Philippine Surf Team to a silver-medal finish at the first Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia. He is also one of the first Filipinos to sign with Billabong Asia.
In between competitions, he can be found at San Juan Surf School, running the resort and serving as an instructor. If his many awards aren’t proof enough, he is the first Filipino to be awarded Australia’s prestigious Bronze Medallion, surf rescue and CPR/life-saving by Surf Life Saving Australia, a globally recognized distinction.
Landrigan has also earned a Surfing Australia Level 1 Certification for surf instruction, a world-class qualification that permits him to teach anywhere in the world.
In spite of the accolades, this laid-back says it’s teaching that gives him the most satisfaction.
“Every December, me and my surf instructors at my surf school give back to the community by teaching SPED (special education) kids. Last December, we taught a bunch of kids for the third consecutive time. The child that was assigned to me was blind. He was hanging on my shoulders and was so scared, but after three waves, he was like, ‘This is so cool.’ I nearly cried. It’s the best thing I ever got out of surfing. Better than any surf competition winnings.”
These days I… run and teach at my surf school, San Juan Surf School, which is located at my family’s resort, San Juan Surf Resort. I travel for competitions and, now, I’ll be traveling with a friend who’s filming me going around surf spots because we want to do a surf movie.
The most gratifying moment of my career thus far has been… teaching special kids.
The part of my job that is most rewarding is… that smile from our students after that first ride.
My best motivating mantra… the best surfer is the one having the most fun.
My most helpful globetrotting tip… when traveling to other countries, learn and see and experience the culture. Try an authentic delicacy, talk to locals. It’s just so much fun learning
something new.
My standby ensemble to wear after hitting the waves is… usually a shirt, shorts and my Sanuk flip-flops, aside from whatever I get from my sponsor, Aloha Boardsports. I wear anything that’s comfortable; earth-colored and plain clothes usually.
Three accessories you’ll always find in my suitcase… a cap, shades and funky socks.
My surf essentials include… Nisce Superblock sunblock SPF80, Surf Yogis body oil, Kiehl’s Lip balm #1.
A perfect shower always includes… Kiehl’s Squadron Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream, Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Nature’s Gate Natural Toothpaste from Healthy Options and Head & Shoulders Anti Dandruff Shampoo.
You’d be surprised to know that… I cut my hair once a year. I’m not really fussy with it because it gets overexposed from the sun and goes blonde and curly and messy. I cut it myself once in a while, when I see parts that annoy me. Or I go to Toffer Prieto who used to work for Bench but now has his own salon in Taguig, along C5.
My personal maintenance isn’t that expensive. Aside from the oils and sunblocks, I shave once a month and shampoo my hair three times a week with Kiehl’s Magic Elixir, so that’s not much.
My grooming guilty pleasure is… Oils from Kiehl’s, like the Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion, and other stuff from Healthy Options. I like going to The Spa and just sit and relax in their sauna.
Top tip
Everyday sun exposure can damage your skin. Like Luke, be vigilant in putting sunscreen, even with overcast skies. Sunblocks tend be all the same especially when it comes to their ingredients, so when Backstage Pass came across Juice Beauty’s SPF 30 Sport Moisturizer, we were very intrigued.
The sports moisturizer is said to be chemical-free, made with USDA-certified organic ingredients and 100-percent natural formulations, and designed especially for an active outdoor lifestyle. The water-resistant Sport Moisturizer offers broad spectrum SPF protection with the moisturizing qualities of organic jojoba and soothing aloe, which blends and absorbs quickly; leaving no white residue.
The brand believes that a healthy, organic lifestyle need not be limited to our diets, but what we put on our faces and bodies as well. We think that’s pretty swell. (Available in all Beauty Bar boutiques.)