May 22, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s National Surfing Festival, held at Tarkwa Bay, Lagos, came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, as the winners of the senior and junior surfers competitions were crowned.
The event brought together approximately 30 talented surfers, showcasing the country’s commitment to developing the sport and nurturing local talent. The festival served as a source of inspiration and hope for young surfers, providing them with a platform to showcase their skills and pursue their dreams.
The President of the Nigerian Surfing Federation, Adewale Fawe, highlighted the transformative power of surfing in the lives of the participants, particularly in steering them away from negative influences. Fawe said: “With surfing, some of them that are hopeless, that have nothing to do, that are frustrated, are beginning to develop hope that comes from surfing; it becomes something positive in life.”
By engaging in the sport, these young surfers are discovering an escape from crime, drug abuse, and other vices, as they channel their energy and focus into riding the waves. The unconventional image of Lagos, with its oil tankers and polluted water aside, Tarkwa Bay has become a training ground for local surfers like Michael Gabriel, who aspires to represent Nigeria and African surfing on the global stage. Gabriel draws inspiration from accomplished surfers such as Kelly Slater, John John Florence, and Ítalo Ferreira, aiming to follow in their footsteps.
The path to success has not been without its challenges, as the waterfront and fishing community of Tarkwa Bay was cleared by Nigerian naval forces in 2020, displacing thousands of residents. However, Gabriel and others remain resilient, using surfing as a means to overcome adversity and strive for a brighter future.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
