Why We’re Bringing Royalty Rising to Siargao
Royalty Rising is an 8-day women’s surf retreat in Siargao, Philippines. It runs May 7-14, 2027. Since we announced it, one question keeps coming up. Why Siargao?
The short answer is that no other place fit. The longer answer starts here.
Why we chose Siargao for a women’s surf retreat
Siargao is known around the world for its waves. Surfers travel there for the reef breaks, and for good reason. However, the waves alone didn’t decide it.
We wanted a place where surfing is part of daily life. In Siargao, it is. The island has a deep surf culture, and local surfers are part of the lineup. Because of that, the retreat can grow from something real instead of a scene built for visitors.
A surf retreat in Siargao built around people
Royalty Rising is not a competition. There is no scoreboard and no podium with one winner. Instead, we built the week around community.
Across the eight days, there are five to seven active days, with at least three surf days. Beyond the water, you’ll join cultural excursions, an island boat trip, and a clothing swap. You’ll also build with your hands in Ian’s surfboard workshop.
On Community Heat Day, the women in the water recognize each other. There are no judges and no scores. The goal is simple. Every woman gets seen.
The week ends with a crown ceremony. Every woman receives a handcrafted coconut crown. Everyone goes home crowned.
The Philippines is a co-author, not a backdrop
This part matters most to us. Siargao is not scenery for a surf trip. Its people, its craft, and its culture shape the whole experience.
Therefore, we are planning cultural experiences around the island’s people and places, not a tourism checklist. We are also centering Filipina voices. That is why Royalty Rising has two pricing tiers. International participants pay in US dollars, and Filipina surfers pay in Philippine pesos. Home waters should never feel like an afterthought.
Why Siargao is only the first chapter
Royalty Rising is built to travel. We are looking at Peru, El Salvador, Australia, and Bali next. However, Siargao comes first. The first cohort becomes part of the origin story, and every retreat after it traces back to this one.
Join the first cohort of our Siargao surf retreat
Registration is open now. Founding Queen status for the first cohort closes October 31, 2026. It marks the women who say yes first.
If you’ve been surfing for a while, or maybe just a bit, this is for you. If you want the culture and not the postcard, this is for you too.
Come get your crown. Register here.