Help Rebuild The Tarkwa Bay Surf Club

NIGERIA'S ONLY SURF CLUB NEEDS YOUR HELP

The small island of Tarkwa Bay sits at the mouth of the Lagos harbour in Nigeria and is home to a vibrant local surf scene, where a surf club was established in recent years to empower young people from the nearby village.

On Tuesday 21 January, 2020, this peaceful beachside community was violently evicted by the Nigerian Navy. Thousands of families were left destitute after their homes were destroyed.

https://www.surfer.com/features/tarkwa-bay-surfers...

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/22/africa/nigeria-...

“Right now our main priority is taking care of the kids and their families,” says John Micheletti, co-founder of the Tarkwa Bay Surf Club and a lifelong local. “We’re using any funds that the club had saved to provide food aid and assist with rebuilding homes, or relocating affected families where this is not possible."

All donations up to $5 000 will go towards providing the members with aid, rebuilding the club's resources, and buying equipment to keep the kids up and riding.

The club's ultimate goal is to build a permanent clubhouse that is legally sanctioned by the local authorities. Any funds over $5 000 will go towards materials and construction, as well as more equipment. This will ensure a secure space in the future for the club to thrive and run its business, while continuing to empower the community.

Your donation will help keep the club going and make this dream a reality.

THE FULL STORY

The Tarkwa Bay Surf Club was established by local residents John Micheletti and Godpower Tamarakuro Pekipuma in 2016. Its goal is to empower young people from the nearby village through the joy of riding waves.

Members of the club at Tarkwa Bay.

Lagos has one of the highest levels of inequality in the world, where unemployment is rife and many of its residents live on less than $5 a day.

Since its inception, the club and its affiliated surf school has raised funds to buy equipment, provide lifeguard and swimming training, as well as help feed and clothe some of its members. The ultimate goal is to teach life skills and help create employment opportunities for its members through the growing influx of tourists at Tarkwa Bay.

The club’s infectious stoke and enthusiasm has become world famous, with a number of foreign pro surfers visiting Tarkwa Bay to sample its waves and experience this unique surf scene. It has also featured on CNN, BBC and a host of other media platforms.

Above: A recent visit by Dylan Graves and the VANS crew to Tarkwa Bay in happier times.

Photos from top: Emmanuel Aladin, one of the club's rising stars. Visiting Californian pro, Luke Davis.

But on Tuesday 21 January, 2020, this peaceful beachside community was violently evicted by the Nigerian Navy during an operation to stop oil theft from pipelines that run across the island. Hundreds of innocent families were left destitute after their homes and personal belongings were destroyed.

“Right now our main priority is taking care of the kids and their families,” says John Micheletti, co-founder of the Tarkwa Bay surf club and a lifelong local. “We’re using any funds that the club had saved to provide food aid and assist with rebuilding homes, or relocating affected families where this is not possible."

GOAL 1: $5 000

All donations will be directly administered by the Tarkwa Bay Surf Club and go towards providing the members with aid, rebuilding the club's resources, and buying equipment to keep the kids up and riding.

GOAL 2: $15 000 - ULTIMATE GOAL!

The club's ultimate goal is to build a permanent clubhouse that is legally sanctioned by the local authorities. Funds will go directly to materials and construction, while any surplus will be used for more equipment. This will ensure a secure space in the future for the club to thrive and run its business, while continuing to empower the community. Your donation will help make this dream a reality.

THE FUNDRAISING TEAM

Please feel free to contact us with any questions by clicking on the club profile link.

JOHN MICHELETTI (top left) was a pioneer of the Lagos surf scene and has helped nurture two generations of Tarkwa Bay surfers. He is co-founder of the Tarkwa Bay Surf Club.

GODPOWER PEKIMPUMA (top right) is co-founder of the Tarkwa Bay Surf Club and owner of Godpower’s Surf School. His passions are mentoring the Nigerian youth through surfing and uplifting his community. He dreams of having a Nigerian surfer on the professional world tour one day. https://web.facebook.com/gpekipuma

ALAN VAN GYSEN (bottom right) is one of the world’s leading surf photographers and has documented surf locations and communities around the world. He specialises in African surf travel. https://www.instagram.com/alanvangysen/

WILL BENDIX (bottom left) is an award-winning editor and journalist, specialising in stories about Africa. https://www.surfer.com/author/willbendix/