Surf culture, travel stories and interviews from the BOMBA Surf community.
We just had to have that title! Julián Paco is a chef, born and raised in Buenos Aires, and we'll be honest: we could talk about Argentinian steaks and barbecues all night long too, but let's stick to our topic: surfing. He's got all the ingredients of a top local surfer, ok ok we'll try to chill on...
It's not everyday you come across a focused teenager. Heck most of us, myself included, spent those years testing our alcohol limits, sleeping as little as possible, waking up in random places and doing a whack of stupid, crazy things. Now, we're not assuming Luka Rossel doesn't do any of those thin...
Milkshakes, sharks, homemade boards, contests, family, locals… you name it, we talked about it! One hour chatting never passed so fast as Laurie McGregor ran through her love for surfing, a love that started when she was just 11 years old. Laurie grew up in East London, but not the one you're thinki...
As many of life's beautiful tales often go, Fernando Theo's surfing story started off as a joke! "We were 11 pre-teen boys who took turns with an old board, nicknamed Bateau Mouche"... … "Surfing was love at first wave, passion and practically addictive." That was back in Brazil, on a stretch of bea...
Sky and I started this interview with his own declaration "I'm maturing". And that was a wrap for the day, great interview pal, see ya out there. Thanks for stopping by. Bye now. … It's hard to miss Sky. He's outstanding. Tall, built, with long hair, he personifies the surf dream, and looks the part...
Get surf-fit with Wellness Hub Oh ye, we've got this in Malta, too! When the waves get bigger, you'd better get tougher amigo, and Tony Brio is here to take you to the next level. Book surf fitness sessions every Tuesday at 6.15 at Wellness Hub in Mellieha . And yes, he's got a whack of other classe...
Core exercises: Your core is the foundation of your surfing performance. You can do exercises like plank, side plank, and Russian twists to improve core strength and stability. Cardiovascular training: Surfing requires a lot of endurance, so doing cardiovascular exercises like running, swimming, or ...
... and our second recipe is vegetarian! Enjoy Ingredients: 6 small corn tortillas 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 red bell pepper, diced 1/2 yellow onion, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 tsp. chili powder 1/2 tsp. ground cumin Salt ...
Now this is the best of both worlds: yummy, easy to cook and healthy. Get stuck in! Ingredients: 1 cup cooked quinoa 4 oz. baked or grilled salmon 1 cup chopped kale or spinach 1/2 cup sliced cucumber 1/2 cup sliced cherry tomatoes 1/4 cup diced red onion 1/4 avocado, sliced 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 tbsp...
As a surfer, you should aim to eat a well-balanced diet that includes: Lean proteins: such as fish, chicken, turkey, tofu, legumes, and eggs. Whole grains: such as quinoa, brown rice, oats, and whole-grain bread. Fruits and vegetables: choose a variety of colorful options to get a range of vitamins ...
Right, you've no doubt read about the Cold Water Invitational … so let's shine the light on the surf spot Marley's! Marley's is something else. By the location, on the coastline of Bahar ic-Caghaq, you'd never guess it's a surf spot. A tiny sandy beach, near a car park, with a jetty jutting out to s...
Brazilian veteran Fernando wowed the crowd throughout the day with some of the leanest, cleanest and most graceful surfing seen on the Maltese islands. He seemed to dance his way through the competition heats, all the way to the top spot as his compatriots carried him around Marleys as our winter wo...
Yo, dawg! There's a bunch of different types of surfboards out there, but I'll give you the rundown on a few of the most popular ones. Let's start with the longboard . These bad boys are the biggest surfboards out there and are great for beginners or for catching smaller waves. They're super stable ...
If you're talking about the best surfers in the world, you gotta know these legends: "Kelly Slater" is considered one of the greatest surfers of all time. He's won 11 World Surfing Championship titles and is still going strong. "John John Florence" is a Hawaiian surfer who's been dominating the pro ...
Here's some surf lingo you'll wanna know if you're gonna be hangin' ten in Malta: "Swell" refers to the size and shape of the waves. A "good swell" means the waves are big and well-formed. "Wipeout" is when you fall off your board. It's all part of the fun, but wipeouts can also be dangerous, so be ...
Sure thing, dude! When it comes to beginner surf boards, you'll wanna look for something that's easy to maneuver and stable. A longboard is a great option for beginners because it's bigger and wider, making it more stable in the water. Another option is a foam board, which is lightweight and easy to...
Surf skate is a type of skateboard that simulates the feeling of surfing on land. It's designed to mimic the turns and maneuvers of surfing, and it's a popular training tool for surfers looking to improve their skills. A Surf Skate typically has a pivoting truck that allows the rider to perform turn...
Sure thing! In Malta, offshore wind is a highly sought-after condition for surfers as it creates the perfect waves for riding. The wind blowing parallel to the shore creates clean and glassy waves, which are ideal for advanced surfers. It's a welcome change from the choppy and inconsistent waves tha...
Hey, welcome to the surf scene in Malta! Before you hit the waves, it's important to understand the concept of wave priority. Basically, wave priority is a set of rules that determine who has the right to catch a wave. It's all about fairness and preventing collisions in the water. The first rule is...
Alright, dude! First things first, you're gonna wanna make sure you have the right equipment. A good surfboard, a wetsuit, and some wax for the board. Once you've got that all set, head out to the beach and check the conditions. Look for a spot with good waves and not too many people. Next, paddle o...
February 3rd, 2021. Time: 11:00. It was a Sunday, a day off for Zach, who was desperate to fill up his free day. He's a barber, who works long hours, over 55 hours per week, including Saturdays, so a day off is a blessing. His Saturday night was not too bad either, considering he had a date. H...
On this particular Saturday, Matt and I met amongst a chorus of different languages in the line-up. We were 24 surfers and counting, which was a new record in my eyes. That's a lot of surfers, and the bay kept getting busier and busier. Maltese, Germans, Italians, Spanish… it was packed! How times h...
Ok, so here's the thing. This is the closest I've been to a blind date ever. I never met Matt before, so in true fashion, I turned up in a bright orange beanie. Turns out there was no need. I was the only nutter out on the streets on a 5-degree evening. Oh. and I showed up on my moped. Freezing. For...
Picture your stereotypical bass player. Yep, laid back, chilled, polite, awesome… and now you know Liam Spiteri. Liam and I go way back, as we attended the same school. He was in my brother's class, I was in his brother's class. We're cut from the same cloth, so I was looking forward to meeting up w...
When I sat down with Hadrien Meyer at Crossroads and our beers came in, I had no idea what to expect. Music, surf, style, attitude - Hadrien has it all, but what is Hadrien doing all the way in Malta? "I didn't even look up Malta when I first moved here. I took my girlfriend's word as gold and just ...
While chatting to Liam Spiteri the spotlight naturally moved to a very scary incident that happened on his birthday in 2020 - when a rip current ran riot at Ramla Bay in Gozo… As you recall, in Episode 1 we documented our thanks to Sean Meli - a local surfer who jumped in gnarly conditions to save a...
Tucked away in a far corner on the east coast of our little island, Fajtata is a surf spot which is gaining popularity amongst local surfers. Fajtata is a favourite of many locals, including Valerio who organised the fantastic Fajtata Classic 2021 earlier this year. It is his top spot as he re...
The reaction and feedback after Episode 1 were mind-blowing. Seriously, I was not expecting this level of buzz. I've had messages, emails and the Pope even mentioned the mag in his Sunday prayers. Cheers Franky! The vibe has been sick and I am loving it. The wave has started (excuse the lame pun, I ...
As news broke out about Sean Meli's heroic rescue off the Sliema coastline earlier this week, BOMBA would just like to salute Sean for his act of bravery. Sean risked his own life to jump into the angry seas and pull a 14-year-old boy to safety. Sean, a talented active local surfer showed no f...
In a year where it even became illegal to surf at one stage (I know, lol), it had been a while since our local shores had seen a competition organised. At last, all the stars aligned in October 2021 for us to enjoy the Fajtata Classic 2021. Surf Coach Valerio threw all this incredible energy behind ...
Yup, that's right. Yup a surf mag in Malta. Mad right? What's this tiny island got to do with surfing? I mean, can you even surf there bro? In short, yes. In long, hell yes. You can surf anywhere and this small island packs a mighty punch. We're not on the map yet but our waves are attracting ...
Woohoo another barbecue interview combo... this mag has its perks. This time I picked the brains of an old friend and prolific photographer Xav Neg, who is the main man responsible for making our local surfers look so good. Xavi lives alone on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. It's pretty surreal fo...
He's a little nuts and is instantly recognisable by a grin that is wider than his face. Besides being one of the most energetic guys you'll meet, Valerio Cicconi lives and breathes surf. If he's not surfing he's shaping, if he's not shaping he's gazing at charts, if he's not charting he's editing, i...
You can instantly recognize Joe on the line-up. He's got a huge mane of hair and a long dark beard but what sets him apart from the rest is his surf style. He seems to glide through the water as he effortlessly pushes up in the smoothest way possible. When standing he seems to ooze calmness and, eve...
Before Facebook, social media, digital cameras, mass tourism, mobile phones, modern buses, over-development and more, Malta was a very different spot. It was a sparsely populated island with next to no surfers… or indeed any at all until one daring man dipped his toes in the water on a rough and col...
We can't start this issue without trying to describe where Malta is. Yes yes we could just show you a photo or drop a pin on Google, but we're a little oldschool here so let's try and paint a picture for you. A group of tiny islands hang out in the centre of one of the most diverse regions in the wo...
(/aˁːjn tʊˈfːɪːħɐ/) *Aka Riviera It is literally impossible not to fall in love with Riviera. It's a wow-spot, it's an energy spot, it's a sunset spot, it's a secluded spot and crucially it's a surf spot! This bay is one of the island's most untouched areas. The beauty of it is that you can't ...
Check the scene on insta: @Bomba_mag You've found it. Now ride it. This crazy island has mad waves, even if you didn't think so yourself. Bomba's quest is simple: to suss out Malta's surf scene, dig out the pioneers, the newbies, the locals, the travelers and just chat all night long about a topic w...