Every February, when the surfing season hits just right, the bright tourist and surfing town of San Juan opens its usually no-leash, no-play point break, to surfers all around the world to ditch the leg rope and bust out those 9 feet and over longboards for a showcase of classic single-fin longboarding. Happening on February 9 to 17, 2024, Single and Unattached celebrates 10 years of classic Single Fin longboarding without a leash – inviting competitors from around the world and beach bums alike for a week of music, good fun, and love – in all forms!
Buji Libarnes, the founder of Single and Unattached together with wife Nikki, shares the anticipation for the event with saying
“You come to San Juan with a log with one fin but you leave with 30,40 or maybe even 50 new friends from the Philippines and all over the world.”
There’s no doubt about that looking at the activities lined up this year. The event kicks off at Eliseos, following the previous year’s awe-inspiring views of the West Philippine Sea over the background of live music, chatter, and skateboards hitting the cement.
Competitors then wait for the swell to be safe enough to surf at the powerful point break in San Juan or possibly in San Fernando where Car-rille break is. This ensures there will be a perfect venue for an exhibition of logging skills.
The selection of competitors is done by Buji himself together with a team that shares the same love for the sport. The years of Single and Unattached paints the history of a booming surfing industry, with famous surfers seen in classic films flying in for the event and the local surfers making a name for themselves on the world stage. Witness the likes of Jay-ar Esquivel, ranked #8 in the World Longboarding Tour, carve through the water with unmatched finesse. Other competitors expected this year are Roger Casugay, Daisy Valdez, and for the international visitors, Rank # 5 Tony Silvagni, Natsumi Taoka, Matt Chojnacki, Elise Trigger, Hiroka Yoshikawa, and many more.
To keep the good times rolling, free-for-all pocket events are in line. A block party at Lark Inn and Putik Friends where you can stay for the music or take your boards for a night-time open skate; Film night at Today shophouse premiering Thomas surfboard’s film Kang’s Retreat starring Kang Husni and Deni Pirdaus of Batukaras, Indonesia with Kang’s Retreat defined kooks, Harrison Roach, Tosh Tudor, and more; a Valentines night with Flotsam and Jetsam where the awarding event will also be done.
The event is not just for surfers, Single and Unattached invites everyone to join the festivities. From the organizers themselves, Single and Unattached is for:
the single and ready to mingle.
The unattached and yet-to-be-matched.
All the lovers and friends in between.
Truly the magic of Single and Unattached is not just in finding romance or getting the best waves. The spirit of Single and Unattached has always been for the love of surfing and sharing that – to friends, to lovers, and to family. To Buji and Nikki, Single and Unattached is that platform and the event has seen their love grow from a room for two, to a family of four. They are hopeful of a future where their kids, Pancho and a baby girl soon to be born, learn from uncles and aunties from the Philippines and all over the world, teach them a thing or two about surfing and their home.
“We are really happy and grateful to see that all our efforts have paid off, we’ve made this fun annual event that has grown to be loved and cherished through the years”
Single and Unattached 2024 is presented by Vans Philippines and Vessel Hostel, in partnership with Johnnie Walker, Union Athletics, The Lark Inn, and Clean Beach.
Photos by: Tarish Zamora and Lotta and the Waves
