Maltese Paddlers Shatter Records in Round Gozo Circumnavigation

GOZO, MALTA – September 13, 2025 - A group of five dedicated surfski paddlers from the Malta-based club, The Surfski Shack, completed a challenging circumnavigation of Gozo on Saturday, shattering multiple records in the process. The 35km Round Gozo Challenge saw paddlers navigate a demanding course, battling headwinds and rebound on the island's northern coast.

The start in Mgarr harbour

Led by veteran paddler Matthew Schembri, the team started their journey from Mġarr Harbour at 7:00 AM. Despite the difficult conditions, the group showcased remarkable skill and endurance, with three paddlers setting new records.

Matthew Schembri, 33, broke his own men’s SS1 (surfski singles) record from 2023, completing the course in an astonishing 3 hours, 11 minutes, and 33 seconds. His previous record was 3:16:02.

​Larissa Micallef, 35, who only started paddling a year ago, smashed the women’s SS1 record with a time of 4 hours, 30 minutes, and 34 seconds. She beat the previous record of 4:43:50 set in 2020 by Karolyn Joy Thompson.

Rounding out the record-breaking performances was Andreas Bohnsack, 65, who set an incredible new benchmark for the men’s 65-69 age category with a time of 3 hours, 43 minutes, and 21 seconds.

Samuel Borg, 27, and Michael Aquilina, 28 were neck and neck the whole way with neither of them managing to get an edge over the other and finished in a time of 3 hours, 52 minutes, and 31 seconds

The paddlers completed the challenge as a personal goal, each with their own target in mind. Their camaraderie was evident throughout the journey.

“This group of paddling enthusiasts has become like a family,” said Matthew Schembri. “I'm really happy to see people come together and support each other. The record was a cool bonus.”

Andreas Bohnsack credited a strategic approach to his success. “It was a tough course,” he stated. “I took a wide line on the north coast which seemed to be a better line since I managed to place some distance on Sam and Mike. I'm grateful to the volunteers who helped us out.”

Michael Aquilina was thrilled to meet his personal goal, saying, “I'm happy to have reached my target of going under 4 hours! Thanks to Sam for pushing me all the way!”

Samuel Borg echoed the sentiment, adding, “I really enjoyed the challenge! Mike and I were neck and neck almost the whole way! Special thanks to all my friends who supported us.”

Larissa Micallef, the new women's record holder, expressed her surprise and joy. “I was nervous before the challenge. I was aiming to just finish it,” she said. “Getting the ladies record wasn’t something I expected, and I’m really happy with it.”

Athletes finishing

The paddlers were supported by a dedicated volunteer crew, including land crew members Kenny Schembri, Simon Gauci, Ray Aquilina, Cristian Ruff and Theresa Schembri, as well as sea crew members Joe Galea, Luigi Aquilina, and Jeande Lucke. The crews provided essential support, acting as timekeepers, offering safety checks, and providing on-water assistance.