Last Friday was one for the history books at our beloved Għajn Tuffieħa, our iconic surfers bay that has been the backdrop for countless sessions, sunsets, and community moments. But before the sun went down and the projector lit up for our WSL Teahupo’o Women’s Watch Party, our crew came together for something equally important: giving back to the place that gives us so much.
With the legends from Żibel, the powerhouse team behind some of Malta’s most impactful cleanups, both on land and deep below the sea, we rallied the surf community for a bay-wide cleanup mission. Singita were on hand with an army of volunteers as Żibel kicked things off with a talk that opened our eyes even wider to the scale of the problem, especially microplastics. They armed us with reusable collection bags, gloves, and all the cleanup tools we could need: sifters, draggers, and nets. The mission was clear: leave this bay cleaner than we found it, and inspire others to do the same.
Our group split into two teams. The land team swept the sand, dunes, and car park edges, pulling out everything from tangled fishing lines to tiny pieces of broken plastic buried in the sand. The marine team loaded up in a boat and circled the bay, even venturing into neighbouring Gnejna to expand our impact. With nets skimming the water and divers below the surface, we pulled waste from where it hides hardest. Read about the immense network of bins Żibel is placing to spread the initiative here.
One of the highlights was installing our brand-new Ocean Wave Waste Bin: a dedicated drop-off for plastics pulled from the sea. The vision? Turn that ocean waste into something surf-worthy, like wax combs, to complete the cycle from pollution to use and stoke.
The day wasn’t just about hard work; it was about connection. Our friends at Singita, who already do an incredible job keeping the bay pristine, showed their support in style. After the cleanup, they treated the crew to free pizzas and ice-cold beers. Sitting there, sandy and sun-kissed, sharing stories over slices, it felt like the perfect reward for a job well done.
The waste we collected was staggering, heaps of mixed rubbish, all bagged and transported off the beach. It was a reminder of the scale of the challenge, but also proof of what’s possible when a community comes together. We even spotted a wrecked car, Citroen C3, and ear marked that for removal and we are converting a hat into a recycled BOMBA Bucket Hat too!
And then, as the last of the daylight faded, we traded gloves and sifters for camp chairs and cold drinks, heading up to the car park for the WSL Teahupo’o Women’s Watch Party. Under a sky full of stars, surrounded by friends, with the sound of waves in the background, we watched our heroes take on one of the heaviest waves in the world. To top it off, surf icons Joe Turpel, Stider Wasilewski, and Kelia Gallina, who became the youngest WSL competitor that day, gave our little Maltese watch party a shout-out on their socials, sending our stoke into orbit.
A huge thank you goes out to Żibel for leading the charge and arming us with the tools and knowledge, to Singita for the hospitality and constant commitment to keeping the bay clean, and to every single volunteer who showed up, rolled up their sleeves, and gave their time. Days like this prove that surfing isn’t just about riding waves , it’s about protecting them, together.
