African waves are attracting global attention due to two key happenings, touching on surfing in Nigeria and South Africa, highlighting ambition and disappointment in equal measure.
by Blue Africa News
A Nigerian short documentary exploring the West African country’s vibrant surfing culture has been shortlisted for the 34th Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF), scheduled to take place from February 7 to 22, 2026, at the Culver Theater in Los Angeles, United States of America (USA).
Surfing entails athletes performing maneuvers and tricks on waves as powerfully captured in the Nigerian documentary titled “Beyond Tarkwa Bay,” which hugely explores Lagos City’s exciting surfing culture amid the challenges of forced eviction.
Directed and produced by Peter Oke and Rume Onosode respectively, the documentary follows Abraham, a teenage surfer who experiences liberation on the waves of Tarkwa Bay in Lagos.
In a sad turn of events, the documentary delves into naval bulldozers abruptly demolishing the community in a violent eviction, threatening Abraham’s aspirations. Out of determination not to fall into depression as a victim, he transforms his sorrow into motivation for an upcoming surfing competition that offers him an escape from the only home he has ever known.
“In the vibrant coastal community of Tarkwa Bay, Nigeria, teenage surfer Abraham finds his dreams at odds with reality,” PAFF said after the documentary’s nomination. “Mentored by local legend Godpower, Abraham overcomes his fear of the ocean to embrace a newfound passion for surfing.”
“But when navy bulldozers suddenly destroy their island homes, his dreams are left hanging in the balance. Refusing to be defeated, Abraham returns with his father’s support to pursue a competition that could take him beyond the only home he’s ever known.”
Financial backing from “vision pushers” including Akin Jones of Aella Microfinance Bank and entrepreneur George Oni made it possible for the film to “see the light of the day” in Nigeria and beyond, landing the prestigious PAFF nomination.
According to the director, the 25-minute documentary which premiered in 2025 is more about “resilience in sports than it is about displacement.”
“These athletes have turned a moment of sorrow into determination,” Oke said as quoted by broadcastmediaafrica.com, noting that the Nigerian Olympic Committee now acknowledges their efforts. “They are demonstrating that young people from Tarkwa Bay have the potential to represent Nigeria at the Youth Olympic Games.”
The film, he said, serves as a connection between Lagos and the Diaspora. It was entirely filmed in Lagos, before its post-production took place in Toronto, Canada.
“It is a tremendous honour for Beyond Tarkwa Bay to premiere at PAFF. This film embodies the strength of Nigerian youth, the importance of mentorship, and the unyielding spirit of Tarkwa Bay. I hope it encourages audiences to chase their dreams, no matter the challenges they face.”
Other films nominated include Before you let go, Beneath the baobab tree, A better way, Brothers in blood, The class of reunion, The Errand, Exodus, Finding myself, Forgive us our debts, Food for the soul and Graduation Day among others.
Tarkwa Bay is considered one of the best surfing destinations in Nigeria. It features a right-breaking wave over a sandy bottom, primarily formed by a breakwater or jetty.
“Accessed via a boat taxi to the entrance of Lagos Harbour, surfers can reach the beach in under five minutes. The best conditions occur with a south swell and northwest winds, making it ideal for experienced surfers seeking a challenge,” states sports.guru.
A surfer in action during the South Africa masters surfing champs event in October 2025. Photo courtesy: Surfing South Africa
Meanwhile, the World Surf League (WSL) recently announced that the Corona Cero Open J-Bay, at the iconic Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa had been pulled from its 2026 Championship Tour schedule.
WSL cited lack of financial support from the South African government as the reason for making the “difficult decision.
“We have made the difficult decision to pull Jeffreys Bay from the 2026 Championship Tour calendar. We did our very best to make J-Bay work in 2025, but the financial support isn’t there to make it viable this year,” said WSL chief executive Ryan Crosby, as quoted by dailymaverick.co.za.
With Raglan, west coast of New Zealand replacing J-Bay, the cancellation has sent a wave of disappointment across Africa. “The cancellation of the J-Bay Open is not only a disappointment for South Africa, but for Africa as a whole,” said Surfing Africa director Johnny Bakker.
“Jeffreys Bay has always been one of the best stops along the WSL world tour, with the best waves and a very well-organised event year after year,” added the director.
Hattingh Bornman, mayor, Kouga Municipality mayor regretted the cancellation, stating that his municipality has an annual budget of R2 million for the event, “was not enough to secure the competition.”
“Over the last three or four years, there have been many discussions with provincial and national government, and while a lot of verbal commitments were made, these commitments were never put into action. Therefore, the WSL has decided to withdraw the South African event.”
South Africa’s Department of Sport, Arts and Culture absolved itself from blame, accusing the organisers for failing to follow the right channels in the push to get funding.
“Anyone wishing to apply for funding for such an event must do so in line with the bidding and hosting of international sport and recreation events regulations. In terms of these regulations, event organisers are required to submit formal applications to the department whenever they bring international competitors to South Africa for a sporting event. The minister considers such applications and may approve or decline them,” said the statement.
With surfing being one of the newest sports programs on the Olympics program, mayor Bornman is optimistic that J-Bay will host the 2026 WSL Championship Tour ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News