GENERAL LUNA, Siargao — By the time most kids were learning to ride bikes, Noah Arkfeld was already chasing waves.

Now 21, the Siargao-raised surfer has carved his name into the crest of Philippine surfing, becoming the country’s No. 1 shortboarder in 2022 after a breakout win at a national tournament three years ago in his home turf.

“It’s the good waves, the surfers, the vibe. These are the things that keep me going against the best,” said Arkfeld, his voice echoing the rhythm of the ocean that shaped him at the sidelines of the ongoing 2025 Siargao International Surfing Cup Qualifying Series 6000.

Organized by the World Surf League (WSL), the event is recognized as the highest-ranking WSL qualifying series ever held in the Philippines.

Born to an American father from Nebraska and a Filipina mother from Zamboanga, Arkfeld is the eldest of five siblings and the only one drawn to the sea’s siren call.

He finished senior high school two years ago and made a bold decision of surfing full-time. It’s a choice that’s already paid dividends, but Arkfeld is far from done.

He said his next target is the World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series, the gateway to the elite ranks of global surfing.

“It’s one of my main goals right now,” Arkfeld said.

“Presently, I’m still far from it, but with this Cloud 9 tournament, it’s definitely a big break. I feel like I can get some good points here. Hopefully, I can get closer.”

Presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, the finale of the ongoing Siargao International Surfing Cup is set on 31 October as the meet aims to enhance sports tourism in the Philippines and showcase the nation’s surfing excellence.

The event attracted top surfers from around the world, including 128 male and 64 female competitors, all of them vying for the $50,000 AUD (roughly P1.9 million) champion’s prize.

Cloud 9, the legendary right-hand reef break in this town known as the country’s surfing capital, has long been a proving ground for Filipino surfers.

It’s more than a competition for Arkfeld, it’s a launchpad. Training his sights on the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan and even the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Arkfeld knows the road ahead runs through national team selection and international qualifiers.

“I have to make it into the Philippine team again, so I can have a chance to qualify for the Asian Games next year and of course, the Olympics in 2028,” Arkfeld said.