For its third edition, the Indian Ocean Surfing Cup travelled to Mozambique for the first time. Hosted by TOBAM – Tofo Boardrider Association Mozambique, the Union’s newest member, this edition focused on the Indian Ocean, with fewer nations but a strong social programme built around surfing as a tool for inclusion.
More than a competition
The Cup was the highlight of a ten-day Training Camp & Kids Initiative (18 – 27 September 2026) led by TOBAM Surfing Tofo, the Reunion Island Surfing League and Surfing South Africa, under the umbrella of the Union. It brought together high-level athletes and young people from social inclusion programmes on the same playing field.
The Reunion Island delegation included 21 young people: 11 competitors, 5 of them from the Pôle Espoir, and 10 young people from the “Fé Surf Nout Kartié” programme run with the Camélias Social Centre. In Tofo they were joined by the teams of Mozambique, South Africa and mainland France, and by young surfers from TOBAM’s local programmes.
- Location: Tofo Beach, Inhambane Province, Mozambique
- Dates: 24 – 27 September 2026
- Host: TOBAM
- Nations: Mozambique, South Africa, France, Reunion Island
- Categories: U21 Men & Women, U16 Boys & Girls, U14 Boys
The programme
- Daily surf sessions adapted to each participant’s level, with all participants surfing together
- “Green Classes” with the Marine Megafauna Foundation: whale shark and manta ray photo-ID, ocean conservation, catch monitoring with local fishers and VR ocean immersion
- Waste & ocean health workshop with Alma, followed by a beach clean-up
- A day in Barra: mangrove discovery and planting, and a traditional dhow trip to Pansy Island
- Technical workshops for coaches and officials: coaching pathways, coaching and judging techniques
- Awareness workshop on addiction prevention for all participants
- The Indian Ocean Surfing Cup, followed by the closing ceremony
Results
U21 Men
| 1st | Pierre Lamothe | France |
| 2nd | Tae Sung Cho | Mozambique |
| 3rd | Gordon Falangile | South Africa |
| 4th | Karel Arrieguy | Reunion Island |
U21 Women
| 1st | Nahia Milhau | France |
| 2nd | Nina Bone | South Africa |
| 3rd | Mahle Ntsebeza | South Africa |
| 4th | Maida Zacarias Sique | Mozambique |
U16 Boys
| 1st | Charly Casanova | Reunion Island |
| 2nd | Nathan Besson Chiaramonti | Reunion Island |
| 3rd | Alberto Luis Nhassopa Jibes | Mozambique |
| 4th | Ewen Therincourt | Reunion Island |
U16 Girls
| 1st | Alexia Coutantin | Reunion Island |
| 2nd | Yurcia Armando Nhambirre | Mozambique |
| 3rd | Joïa Rolland Vadon | Reunion Island |
| 4th | Madina Machava | Mozambique |
U14 Boys
| 1st | Erwan Borne | Reunion Island |
| 2nd | Makai Guadagnini | Mozambique |
| 3rd | Santiago Botelho | Mozambique |
| 4th | Cleiton Venâncio Nhamossua | Mozambique |
Partners
A project led by the Reunion Island Surfing League and the French Surfing Federation, in close collaboration with TOBAM Surfing Tofo and Surfing South Africa, under the umbrella of the UFSOI. Supported by the Préfecture de La Réunion and DRAJES La Réunion, and co-financed by the European Union (INTERREG Indian Ocean) and Région Réunion. With the Camélias Social Centre (Social Sport Santé), the Marine Megafauna Foundation and Alma.
Ce projet est financé par l’Union européenne dans le cadre du programme INTERREG VI océan Indien dont l’Autorité de gestion est la Région Réunion.
This project is funded by the European Union under the INTERREG VI Indian Ocean programme, whose Managing Authority is Région Réunion.