The Happy Secret Garden Surf Club, located in Ngor, Senegal, has made significant strides in the country's surfing scene over the past two years. Founded in 2016 by President and Coach Mamadou Adama Bâ, the club has become a hub for surfing enthusiasts, particularly young athletes. With a focus on developing the skills of its members, the club has successfully hosted two stages of the Senegal Surf Cup, with the most recent event taking place at Almadies.
Adama Bâ, a 42-year-old surfing enthusiast, has been involved in the sport since he was 13 years old. He is part of the third generation of Senegalese surfers, following in the footsteps of pioneers like Ngueudane Ndiaye and El Hadji Oumar Sèye, the current president of the Senegalese Surf Federation and African Surf Confederation. Under Bâ's leadership, the Happy Secret Garden Surf Club has grown to include 8 young male athletes, with 3 of them participating in the recent Senegal Surf Cup.
The club's name, Happy Garden, is inspired by a nearby garden that serves as a sanctuary for surfers. The garden, owned by Bâ, is a haven of peace where members can relax and focus on their craft. The club's training sessions are dependent on the quality of the waves and the time of year, with the athletes typically training several times a week. However, the club faces challenges, including a limited number of surfboards for beginners.
Despite these challenges, the Happy Secret Garden Surf Club has made significant progress, hosting two successful stages of the Senegal Surf Cup. The club's second event, which took place in September 2026, was particularly successful, with improved organization and a stronger showing from its athletes. According to Bâ, the club's goal is to continue growing and developing its members, with a focus on balancing surfing with education.
Bâ emphasizes the importance of education for young surfers, citing the challenges faced by his own generation of surfers who did not prioritize their studies. He hopes to create a new generation of surfers who can excel both in the sport and in their academic pursuits. To achieve this goal, the club relies on the support of sponsors and the Senegalese Surf Federation.
The Happy Secret Garden Surf Club's progress has not gone unnoticed, with Bâ expressing his gratitude to the federation and sponsors for their support. He hopes that this support will continue, enabling the club to take its surfing program to the next level. With a focus on developing young athletes and improving its events, the club is poised for even greater success in the future.
Looking ahead to 2027, Adama Bâ is ambitious, aiming to "raise the bar even higher" with an improved event and a stronger showing from his athletes. With its focus on developing young surfers and balancing surfing with education, the Happy Secret Garden Surf Club is set to play a significant role in Senegal's surfing scene for years to come.
Key points
- The Happy Secret Garden Surf Club aims to continue growing and developing its members, with a focus on balancing surfing with education.
