Filipino hero surfer Roger Casugay has raised enough funds that will enable him to to participate in the prestigious Mexilogfest 2022.
Big thanks to government officials and private donors, who responded to the online fundraising campaign initiated by the national surfer from San Juan, La Union.
“Even though there is still a lot to arrange and I’m not there yet, I’m very happy to announce my journey will be financially feasible. While working on the last fundraising events, organized by the local community and friends, I’m positive there is a way to go,” said Casugay.
The United Philippine Surfing Association has announced Casugay’s participation and thanked Senator Bong Go and the Office of the President, Philippine Sports Commission officials, chairman Butch Ramirez, Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, training director Marc Velasco and “all people, who helped Roger’s bid to compete in Mexico happen, maraming salamat po!”
The 27-year-old Casugay gained instant fame during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games when he risked losing his chance of winning a medal in the longboard event by saving a fellow competitor from Indonesia from drowning. He eventually won the gold in the final event, though.
In his social media post, Casugay also thanked “unknown people, who have reached out to me, to help me make this dream happen. I am so grateful for the love you share and for believing in me.”
Casugay is now deep in training, with the guidance of coach Ian Saguan in San Juan for the Mexilogfest, which will be held from April 19 to 28, 2022 in Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico, where hundreds of top single-fin traditional longboarders from all over the world will compete.
Casugay’s training involves doing video analysis, strength workouts, and cross-training with cycling if there are no waves.
While training for the tournament, Casugay posted on an online fund-raising platform a request for donors, who can help finance his participation.
Casugay pleaded that “being able to attend would mean I will be able to compete with some of the best in the world” in his post on gogetfunding.com.
Due to limited resources, the PSC has not been able to support all national athletes’ competitions abroad, with several athletes like Casugay resorting to online fund-raising campaigns.