Surf culture, travel stories and interviews from the BOMBA Surf community.
Oh how we wish this week would last forever. We've been surfing since Saturday evening, with waves carrying us right through to sunset on Thursday. This one was forecasted in about two weeks before, and the regular checks kept getting better and better. "Oh, look one more day! Oh, wow, look at that ...
The MSA held their annual skate comp King of the Park in July at the Msida Skatepark, with 16 skaters competing for the coveted crown on the concrete jumps. We were treated to an absolute spectacle with tricks galore and brilliant live bands keeping the vibes high. Beers, skate and live music in the...
We're launching something small with big intentions and you're invited to the launch! On Thursday, 8th August , BOMBA is teaming up with Zibel and Singita to kick off Wave Waste , a community-powered project aimed at keeping our beaches clean and giving new life to ocean plastic. At the entrance to ...
Most people talk about breaking free. Luke Deakin laced up his boots and walked out the front door. No gimmicks. No entourage. Just a backpack, blistered feet, and the stubborn belief that the world is best understood at walking pace. Under the name Chubby Trekka , this quietly fearless Brit is trek...
The Tahiti Summer swimwear collection by MIA VICKERY this year is inspired by the lifestyle and vibrant colours seen through a surfer's eyes. The stand out sets are made from high-tech sustainable materials made from recycled nylon waste found in our oceans. The colours of the collection captu...
Artist, surfer and overall badass Mariah Buhagiar may have spent her winter recovering from knee surgery, but this didn't keep her from staying close to the surf in her own way. She decided to swap her paintbrushes for an entirely new medium, film, and with surf as her main focus, created Mediterran...
Luca Arrigo didn't find surfing—it found him, at a time when he needed it most. We're sitting in a Bulgarian restaurant in Malta, boards stacked in the car, salt still in our hair after a morning session at Ghajn Tuffieha. We're greeted by the most welcoming of restaurant hosts, who serves us a home...
You can dodge closeouts, you can dodge crowds, but you can't dodge the dude frothing out of his sunburned neck to tell you to f**k off. Surf localism isn't just alive—it's thriving. It's grown men gatekeeping beach access like it's ancient treasure, kids slashing tires with rusty fins, and unspoken ...
2024: A record-breaking year In summer 2024, Malta and Gozo saw a record eight loggerhead turtle nests—surpassing the previous high of seven in 2020 These nesting events occurred on several sandy beaches: Golden Bay (Ramla tal‑Mixquqa) – initial nesting spot and multiple clutches Ġnejna Bay – home t...
Because waiting for waves is noble. But boring. Let's be honest: the Mediterranean doesn't always play nice, especially here in Malta. One minute she's throwing head-high wedges. The next, she's a polished mirror. Beautiful? Sure. Surfable? Not a chance. Which is where Malta Surf School comes in, fl...
There's an old myth in surfing: the first one who bombs a new site gets to name it. That's cool, right? So, let's break down what it takes to name a spot The Naming Game Surfers are many things—wave chasers, glorified nomads, spiritual beings on decks of epoxy or foam. But if there's one thing surfe...
I didn't quite know how I'd feel, surfing for the first time in over 3 months. My last session at St Lucian was okay… A new spot, a weird wave which breaks funny, and a cold breeze. My winter in surf was amazing. Surfing daily for over a week in December, alone or in a pair without the pressur...
In an exciting expansion of its Championship Tour, the World Surf League (WSL) has officially announced the inclusion of Għajn Tuffieħa Bay in Malta as a brand-new destination in its prestigious lineup. This event, scheduled to kick off in March following the Portugal stop, marks a significant addit...
"It was insane," opens Flynn… "just fucking insane." Most of us have flirtatiously gazed at the Sliema coastline on a windy day. We've seen rollers, barrels, dumpers and ugly messes. The coast there is open, jagged with lots of little nooks and crannies. Yes, it's literally the perfect swim spot on ...
What's the best 100 you've ever spent? Think about it, it's €100 euros, it can be a night out, a fancy restaurant, a thick winter jacket, a spa day, 5 grams of weed, some shroomies for the homies, a shiny little object for your house. Anything. Think about it. 100 euros doesn't get you much nowadays...
Fresh off a plane from Bali, Malta's own surf coach Valerio Cicconi has plunged back into the island's waves with a hunger that can only be satisfied in waters as challenging as those of the island's very advanced spots. His preferred spot, which will not be named, is a point break over a reef. It i...
We're Going Big – Join Us at Billabong's Epic Store Launch! Hey everyone, we've got some awesome news that's too good to keep under wraps! Billabong has just upped their game in a major way. They've moved – though not far, just next door – into a way bigger space in the usual spot, the Plaza and you...
When nightmarish leviathans surge toward our shores, most cower and retreat to safety… yet a few dare to chase the thrill. These monstrous waves, colossal and tumultuous, loom like watery behemoths just a breath away from the land. To many surfers, they spell doom, their menacing forms breaking over...
Supertubos in Peniche, Portugal, is renowned as one of the premier surfing destinations globally, celebrated for its powerful, hollow waves that offer dramatic barrels. Here's a comprehensive guide to this iconic surf spot, perfect for World Surf League (WSL) content: Location and Conditions Supertu...
The Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, one of the World Surf League's (WSL) most anticipated events, showcases top-tier surfing in a unique and innovative environment. Here is a detailed guide to this exciting competition. History and Background The Surf Abu Dhabi Pro is relatively new to the World Surf League cal...
January was turbocharged! Many hate the first month of the year. Traditionally, the month always seems to drag on forever and we're often fat, broke and trying not to smoke or drink. Those resolutions all lasted about, checks notes , two and a half days. Not bad, better luck next year! But one resol...
The World Surf League (WSL) has announced the cancellation of the Jaws Big Wave Challenge for the 2024/2025 season, marking another disappointment for big wave surfing fans. The event, held at the iconic Pe'ahi surf spot in Maui, will not take place due to the WSL not being granted the necessary lan...
The World Surf League (WSL) event at the Banzai Pipeline is a pilgrimage for the surfing world. Held on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, this competition serves as the dramatic opener for the WSL Championship Tour, setting the tone for the season. The Banzai Pipeline, or simply 'Pipeline', is renown...
World Champion John John Florence has announced he will not compete in this season's WSL Championship Tour. The Hawaiian-born three-time champion will take a break from the tour after an intensive year which saw him claim his third World Title. "Ive decided to focus on surfing in a different way thi...
Pregnancy brings with it a tide of changes, but for some, like Marie, an avid surfer, it's also a time to adapt and continue embracing the passions that define them. Surfing through pregnancy, Marie shares her experiences, challenges, and the joyous moments of riding the waves with a baby on board. ...
Three-time surfing world champion Gabriel Medina has announced that he will be withdrawing from the start of the World Surf League (WSL) season due to a pectoral injury sustained while surfing in Brazil. The injury, which required surgery, has put a significant damper on Medina's preparations for th...
Catching up with Mariah Buhagiar is always fun. She's explosive, open, confident and completely unfiltered. She's a coiled spring, ready to pop. Chatting her right before a Christmas Day surf was amazing as her stories of surf and art are as vibrant as the sunlit beach. She was just visiting from a ...
In the world of surfing, the term "kilojoule" (kJ) might not be as commonly discussed as "wave height" or "tide conditions," but it holds a significant place, especially when evaluating the energy of waves and their potential for surfers. This article will delve into what a kilojoule is, how it rela...
As wildfires rage across California, the impact is being felt far beyond the fire lines, reaching even the state's beloved coastal areas where surfing communities are facing significant challenges. From ash-covered beaches to hazardous air quality, surfers and local businesses are grappling with con...
In the vast and intricate tapestry of global cuisine and sport culture intersections, few relationships are as profound—or as profoundly tasty—as that between surfers and tacos. Let's dive into the crispy, crunchy, and undeniably cheesy reasons behind this culinary love affair. The Wave of Flavor Fi...
OMG we made it! This is the 12th BOMBA Rewind, wrapping up an entire year of surf, surf culture and bags of fun, and since surf is the gift that just keeps giving, December was incredible. The mad month kicked off with record-breaking winds over the islands, maxing out at 87km/h! With winds ma...
The Mavericks Surf Competition recently witnessed an extraordinary display of nature's power, as surfers faced what many are calling the biggest waves ever recorded at the iconic Half Moon Bay location. With wave heights exceeding 60 feet, the event attracted both seasoned surfers and spectators eag...
2024 has been a monumental year for surfing, showcasing thrilling competitions, record-breaking performances, and unforgettable moments. From the Olympic stage in Tahiti to the legendary waves of Nazaré, the surfing world has witnessed extraordinary feats that have captivated fans and athletes alike...
Nathan Florence and Erin Brooks have emerged victorious at the 2024 Vans Pipeline Masters, held at the iconic Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu. Despite the lack of official coverage from the event's sponsor, Vans, the competition showcased thrilling performances from top surfers in challen...
The World Surf League (WSL) has officially announced the 2025 Championship Tour (CT) schedule, featuring a thrilling lineup of events across various iconic surf locations. This year's tour will culminate in a historic one-day final at Cloudbreak, Fiji, where the top surfers will compete for the worl...
Big wave surfing is not just a sport; it's a dance with nature's giants, a test of bravery, skill, and an intimate relationship with the ocean's most formidable forces. For surfers who chase waves higher than buildings and move faster than freight trains, the allure is irresistible. While surfing it...
If there's one surf event that embodies the spirit of adventure, respect, and raw ocean power, it's the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational . Known simply as "The Eddie," this legendary contest honors the courage of a surfing icon and brings the world's best big-wave surfers together in the waters of ...
The Pipe Masters began in 1971 when local surf legend Fred Hemmings organized the first official event. Back then, the idea of surfing the Pipeline competitively was still daring. The break itself, known for its shallow, jagged reef and hollow waves, was discovered in the late 1950s by surf pioneers...
Is it us or do the months keep getting better and better? Since starting these reviews in January, it seems each month is getting more packed, more fun and dare we ask it, are we getting more and more surf? It looks like it! Blessed by Homega The month kicked off in spectacular fashion for Valerio a...
Let's be completely honest here, we love it aye! We shamelessly adore our own surf photos and here in Malta we are absolutely blessed. We've got more cameras on us than when we walk into a bank. All our insta's are loaded with surf pics, our Tinder bios have at least two in the can, and they're the ...
October went wild. We're talking off the hooks, unhinged, pure fucking fun. From mammoth waves in obscure locations, to an incredible party and everything in between, catch up on the wicked month here. It all kicked off in the coolest way possible with an epic surf rock night. Hadri, Julian, Liam, M...
From calling column scores at local surfing contests to calling the heats in the WSL and Olympic games for the most recognised broadcasters, Joe Turpel has seen surfing grow into one of the most viewed sports in the world. He's a beacon of inspiration in the world of surf journalism, having carved h...
Heavy legs, no voice, a slight hangover and puffy cheeks - Monday morning done right! Most of us felt the extra sluggishness this morning and it's 100% due to the newly formed surf band emerging from the amazing surf family in Malta! Thanks guys, Mondays suck anyways! But what a Sunday night that wa...
We're a group of small islands in the sun, Hawai'i is a state consisting of a group of small islands in the sun. Now we've got a firm grasp of the obvious, we can dive into the similarities of our culture and see what the Maltese surf scene can learn from the great ancestor of surf. BOMBA Surf Magaz...
September 2024 really had it all and we're still catching our breath. Waves, parties, interviews and an incredible comp! If summer was flat, September made up for it in groves, and we're so grateful. The lift a surf session gives you after a dry spell is second to none, but when you cram so much in ...
Few people can do what these guys do. Surfing in the world's most beautiful locations and sharing waves with the world's best surfers is one thing, but delivering the highest standard in broadcasting is another. It's hard to imagine both worlds going hand in hand, as your stereotypical surfer might ...
The World Surf League (WSL) Finals and the Big Wave season are set to captivate surfing enthusiasts this fall. With the WSL Finals kicking off on September 6, fans are eager to see who will emerge as the world champion. Meanwhile, the Big Wave season is officially open, promising thrilling competiti...
The WSL Finals Day at Lower Trestles was a spectacle of talent and determination, showcasing the best surfers in the world under the California sun. With temperatures soaring to 90 degrees, the competition heated up as Caity Simmers made history by becoming the youngest world champion, defeating Car...
If you didn't attend the 14th September's Surf Summer Snap Competition organized by the Malta Surf & Sup Association, you missed out! 20 surfers took part in the second edition of the Summer Snap at Ghajn Tuffieha, and boy did the bay deliver. Massive winds all week brought giants to the beach, ...
August is always a tricky month while surfing in Malta. The heat is often unbearable; it's flat, it's dry, and the air is sticky. We end up stinking of sweat and hogging the AC systems whenever we can. Ah, such a lovely image. But, it's not all doom and gloom as we managed to get together for anothe...