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 treacherously shallow reefs that bristle with razor-sharp edges. But to a select band of fearless riders, these are not mere waves but gauntlets thrown by the ocean itself. They accept the challenge with a fierce gleam in their eyes, ready to dance with danger where every ride could be a perilous dance with disaster.
We don’t know what possesses them to attempt to tame these slobbering monsters, but we’re glad they do. Bomba caught up with Hadrien Meyer and Carlo Gravina, two of Malta’s fastest and most daring wave riders about the day they caught Malta’s biggest, and longest waves.
Ghallis is a frightening spot. Recently re-discovered by the new generation, it is not for the faint-hearted and not for the kooks. Injuries will happen in the blink of an eye. The wave just shouldn’t be ridden when it’s so close to the shallow reef and shore. These guys, true rebels, throw the rule book out of the window. When others say “can’t”, they say “will”. They become the beast, and it’s their energy that frightens the sea/
The reef is “Bad, sharp. There’s no escape – you’re caught between water and rocks, and this freaked me out a little.” opened Hadri. “When it’s messy it’s one of the most dangerous waves. It felt dangerous, you finish on the rocks… if you’re greedy, you’ll be punished. I love getting that close to the edge.”
“Monsters moving in the distance”
Carlo, agreed. “You see these monsters moving in the distance, moving closer and as you paddle towards the spot your heartbeat starts rising as you grasp the real size of the waves.” He described them epically as “a five-story building of a wave.”
These two are part of a handful of surfers that can handle these waves locally. One bad move and you’re in trouble, as Carlo discovered early on in the day.
“Long story short, I wiped out on the first wave of a huge set and got held down for five or six duck dives under massive waves. I was running out of breath, but luckily, I made it out. It could have ended very differently with just a little bad luck.” Carlo made it out grinning. He is built like a tank and has ridden giants in Indonesia too with this wave reminding him of his travels.
“Ready to eat me alive”
Carlo continued, “After making the drop and standing up, my only concern was not falling because the entire reef in front of me was ready to eat me alive. But I managed to stay on my feet and pulled off a solid down-the-line ride—one of the longest I’ve ever had in Malta. It was impressive! It reminded me of the big, rolling Indonesian waves I’ve missed so much.”
This rare break demands respect, as it only clocks in a couple of times a year. Hadri romantically describes it as “like crossing eyes with someone on the street; the connection just happened. Just maybe yes and maybe not.” And that day it was ON.
Man v wave
Spots like this resemble a bout with a boxer. There’s no room for error. It’s you against the spot, with no interference. Skill and guts alone thrive as Hadrien portrays.
“I like high-risk spots. That’s why I always choose reef spots like PG, Fajtata, and Marley’s. It’s you against the spot. You can’t blame it on the spot. It’s either skill or not. No one is there to drop in; it is your surfing ability against the spot. If you’re not good enough, you’ll quickly find out”
Of course, the rewards come to those who earn them. “It’s so hollow there”, Hadri continued, “I almost got barrelled.”
Carlo’s stoke came from pure adrenaline after closely studying the sets. “The moment came when I saw the set I wanted. In that instant, the most important thing is to believe in yourself, trust your skills and equipment, and have zero hesitation. When your moment arrives, you have to commit and paddle with full determination. I still remember dropping down that five-story building of a wave, with Dario watching from the left—what a moment!”
Undoubtedly, the guys that day made memories for a lifetime, shaping surf culture and we’re proud to document such a brilliant day. The real wave hunters know there are monsters out there, but they should be left to the very best in class. The commitment, dedication and effort it takes to reach this level doesn’t happen overnight – so kids, don’t try this at home as this monster has claws.
