Tarkwa Bay, near Lagos, Nigeria, hosted the country’s national surfing festival last weekend. On Sunday, May 21, about 30 surfers took part in a national competition, as Africa News reported. Over the years, surfing has brought a much-needed reprieve from the troubles the region has faced.
Lagos’ reputation as a dangerous place precedes it. A travel advisory from the U.S. State Department warns of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and maritime crime. However, the community of Tarkwa Bay, near Lagos Harbor, has provided a surfing oasis in the troubled country. The spot was even featured in an episode of Dylan Graves’ series Weird Waves.
However, in January of 2020 the area was devastated by forced evictions carried out by the Nigerian Navy. “Residents described scenes of panic and confusion,” reported CNN, “Hundreds of navy personnel pushed into Tarkwa Bay and neighboring island communities on the Lagos Lagoon, ordering them to leave within an hour.” Thousands of residents were displaced, many without any form of alternative housing.
Nigerian Navy Commander Thomas Otuji said the operation was aimed at curtailing oil theft along pipelines that run through the city. However, a statement from the Justice & Empowerment Initiatives, a Nigerian NGO, claimed that the forced evictions and collective punishment were violations of human rights.
Adewale Fawe, President of the Nigerian Surfing Federation, said that the surfing festival has provided a ray of optimism, even in the face of crisis. “I believe that with surfing,” he said, “some of them that are hopeless, that have nothing to do, that are frustrated, are beginning to develop hope.”
“Every time I surf I feel good. I forget all my pains,” added competitor Michael Gabriel. “One day, I believe I will become a champion. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next month, but I believe one day I’ll become a champion.”
