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 is treacherous and only known to the boldest of wave hunters.
“The surf’s been very good since we got back,” he says, his tone understated, his eyes glowing with the thrill of recent conquests. The coach’s recent expedition in Bali, surfing some of the world’s most coveted breaks, has only sharpened his appetite for the hunt. “I am always ready to hunt,” he declares, his voice tinged with the anticipation of his next great challenge.
When the conditions align, this hidden spot transforms into a world-class wave, a pristine point break that attracts those who speak its language. “It works like a world-class wave, a super point break,” he describes, painting a picture of perfect, glassy days where the water offers both beauty and beast in one breath. One some days, however, it is monstrous. Valerio even encountered lightning on the spot, on a stormy wintery day in 2024.
“The magic of the coach”
The magic of mastering such a spot and seeking it on the less windy days? “This is about the magic of the coach!” he chuckles, keeping his cards close to his chest. His expertise allows him to predict and perform where mere mortals might falter, his intimate knowledge of the wave’s movements is a testament to his years of dedication. Valerio spends his free time plotting surf, out-manoeuvring the charts, staying one step ahead, “Always ready to go.” He knows this break like his own hands, and will always gamble on it, even if the conditions don’t look good on paper.
On these islands, wave-hunting can be as tiring as an over-drawn chess game, but you just have to stay focused and surf what you can when you can, using whatever equipment you have available. His extensive quiver gives him the cards to be creative, even if he sometimes opts to carve his magic on a 7ft foamie, he still rocks it harder than anyone.
“Why a foamie on days that seem to demand more?” we asked. “Any board is fun,” he shrugs, a smirk playing on his lips. His choice underscores a seasoned confidence, asserting that true skill can make magic with any tool. He’ll jump in in any condition, whether its small, or big, barrelling or closing out… fun comes first!
But this spot is not for the faint of heart. “Be aware that you can die there,” he warns, his tone sombre yet tinged with respect for the power of the sea. The spot demands a surfer who is not only advanced but ready to face death with a paddle in hand. It’s a chilling reminder of the stakes at play in this aquatic arena.
He’s seen people come out of there blooded, and exhausted. But he’s seen others thriving, like “Fernando getting barrelled on the big outside waves,” he recalls, admiration clear in his tone as he recounts witnessing feats of bravery and skill by fellow surfers who match their mettle against the relentless sea. If you have the right attitude, Valerio will show you the spot… however he worries for its future, in a geological manner. His aim is inclusion, for those willing to learn.
The future of accessing this spot is precarious as the cliff continues to erode, hinting at a time when only those willing to approach by boat or endure a giant paddle from around the coast will be able to engage with these mighty waves. “I need to enjoy this spot as much as possible while it is still relatively accessible via land,” he muses, aware of the literal and metaphorical changing tides.
In Malta’s surf scene, the coach stands as a titan among wave hunters, his relentless pursuit of the next great ride an inspiration and a challenge to those who dare call themselves surfers. Some surf spots, much like this one, are reserved for the truly brave and profoundly skilled surfer, daring to tread shallow water over an unforgiving reef, following a tough entry. Here, legends are born, and this seasoned coach is no exception to the rule.
