Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Surfing on the Alabama Gulf Coast is about to get a thrilling upgrade! Enter the next wave of young surfers, affectionately known as "groms," who are determined to redefine surfing as more than just a hobby. They’re on a mission to elevate the local surf scene, creating a vibrant community where competitions can happen right in our backyard—no extensive travel required!

Leading the charge is lifelong surfer, former pro competitor, and local coach Mike Tamburello, aka Tambo, joined by an impressive roster of sponsors and surfers. Together, they are set to transform our stunning 32-mile island into the ultimate surf competition hotspot! This is a game-changing moment, as Alabama has never hosted an event quite like this. It is all powered by a passionate group of local surf enthusiasts eager to craft something extraordinary for our coastal towns and the next generation of surfers keen to ride the waves.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 7th, starting at 9 AM, held at Cotton Bayou for the introduction of the ‘Gulf of Mexicans’ Surf and Skate Series. With a quirky twist, this exciting event will feature a wild-and-wacky intro as part of the groundbreaking 18-event series, “Weird Board Surf Competition.” Tambo has teamed up with an incredible collaborator to create a lineup of surfboards that are anything but ordinary, something fun, funky, and inviting for everyone. Tambo proudly gives a shout-out to “Andy Ray for shaping the awesomely wacky, weird surfboards” for this specialty event.

Here’s the twist: Participants will have a blind draw moments before their heat to find out which board they’ll be riding. And here’s the cherry on top—first-place winners will not only snag the board they surfed on but will also receive a brand-new board from the shop–Tambo’s Surf and Skate in Gulf Shores! Second and third place winners will receive a to-be-announced specialty prize.

This new series will feature eight surf competitions, mainly at Cotton Bayou, and possibly at the State Pier in Gulf Shores or the Pavilion in Orange Beach. There will also be eight skateboarding competitions held in the local shop. Sixteen of the events will be traditional competitions with hopes of substantial cash prizes. At the same time, the other two—including Sunday’s opener, the “Weird Board Comp”—will be specialty events with unique prizes.

The last time our shores saw anything resembling a surf competition was back in 2016, organized by a nonprofit, and in the early 2000s through the ESA. However, nothing like what's on the horizon with this series has ever been attempted. Tambo explains, “This is as local as it gets; this is a local event held by locals, by the local shop, at your local beach break.” He emphasizes that these events are open to everyone from anywhere on the Gulf Coast, East Coast, or beyond—everyone is invited!

The shop has hosted 4-5 skate competitions in the past; however, this will be the first surf competition, marking an extraordinary start to something truly special. Each surf event will feature fire pits on the beach, and plans include food trucks for the traditional competitions and more. The GOM Series will run throughout 2026, with the second specialty event being a fish fry where everyone competes on fish–we can’t wait to see this, followed by a crawfish boil in May.

Get ready for an unforgettable day and a bright 2026 filled with excitement, laughter, and community spirit as we ride the wave into a new era of surfing in Alabama!

The team at Tambo’s wants to extend a big thank you to all the sponsors: Signature Properties, Advanced Carpet Cleaning and Restorations, PSC Plumbing, Missio Surf, Tambo’s Surf Shack, and ‘The Gulf of Mexicans.’ They also add this invitation: “If you would like to sponsor an event or support these kids, come out and show your support!” Let’s ride!