John Mark "Marama" Tokong is the local legendary surfer of Cloud 9, Siargao. Born on September 29, 1996, he began his surfing career at a young age and has since become the most dominant surfer in the region (Stab Magazine)
Marama is dedicated to promoting surfing in the Philippines. He operates the Marama Surf School in Siargao, offering lessons for all skill levels and sharing his expertise with aspiring surfers.
We talk about the WSL QS5000, competitive surfing, family time and travel, hairflicks, and so much more. Don't miss out on the bonus section in the end about foiling!
Follow Marama: https://www.instagram.com/maramatokong/
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A big thank you to Siargao Love Stories Podcast
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00:00 Introduction
01:57 First time on podcast
02:19 Semi’s at WSL QS5000
04:48 Feelings during the heat
08:03 Support from the Cloud 9 Tower
09:12 Pumping Waves on competition
10:25 Winning 1 kilo of Rice in 2007
11:55 Marama’s Idols, Ossot, Carlito, Piso
13:02 Cloud 9 Barrel secret
14:04 Feeling Cloud 9, spiritual
15:01 The Hairflick Signature
16:00 Interference with Remar
18:17 In Competition, you are not friend
19:02 Helping the friends
20:22 From 1000 to 5000
22:45 Preparation for an Event
24:00 Envisioning before sleeping
24:50 Cloud 9 Titles
27:00 Spending Event Winnings
28:13 Travel Budget
30:41 Challenger Series
31:17 Visa Challenges
32:41 CT Dream Tour
34:44 Family life and travel
37:23 Tokong Family
39:10 Magic Boards
39:48 Social Media
41:13 Stab Magazine
42:02 Siargao Before and Now
43:46 Marama Surfschool
45:19 After Surfing Career
46:53 The Light Tower
47:41 Most Memorable Moment
48:46 Best Activity next to Surfing
49:37 The Supportive Community
50:23 Favorite Surf Sport
51:07 Favorite Restaurant
51:47 Favorite Filipino Word
52:08 Advice for other local surfers
53:27 Pressure being the local favorite
54:18 What’s Next for Marama
55:12 Advice from Gerry
55:49 Last Words
56:16 Bonus Section Foiling
57:35 The Wakepark Flag