Monthly Archives: January 2015

Surf Star Morocco-Finding Happiness!

A guest review by Fiona Elizabeth Reid

Sat on my Moroccan rug daydreaming about the great week I had in Morocco this June…..take me back to the Surf Star camp terrace, the beach, the waves, good friends and fun times of Tamraght!

A week of yoga, surf, laughter, happiness and adventure.
It’s hard to say what my favourite part of the trip was, but here are a few highlights…..
Surf lessons with the fun and talented instructors whose guidance and knowledge helps you catch that wave that makes you feel on top of the world! Days spent chilling on the beach, floating on surf boards and lots of paddling! ……generally absorbing the surf lifestyle and being a beach bum! Not forgetting Camel rides, Horse rides, Moroccan coffee and bustling with the locals!

The yoga classes with Luice and the fellow yogis were the best! With the sky, sea and mountains surrounding you it is the perfect location to relax and focus. From Vinyasa flows to Ashtanga, stretch, strength and meditation. The yoga gave me strength and ability for a day of surf and in the evening a feeling of total Zen …..Namaste Lucie!

I found a new love of Avocado and date juice….delicious and nutritious, bought from the local Banana village. All the Moroccan food was fantastic at surf camp; Moroccan BBQ, Tagine, CousCous healthy teas and fresh juices. Definitely some recipes to take home.

A day at Paradise Valley in the High Atlas Mountains lived up to its name and was just paradise! Blue pools, cliff jumping, climbing, sunbathing and a little yoga practice!
I couldn’t leave Morocco without experiencing a traditional Moroccan Hammam spa treatment or buying some argan oil. With glowing skin and my body cleansed I felt fresh and rejuvenated.

So all in all ….. a fantastic holiday surrounded by amazing people. The colours, culture and nature of Morocco is something I miss. Surf camp Surf Star is a week to remember. I returned home feeling healthy, Inspired, revitalized and of course a pro surf chic!

Just wonderful!
“Work Sucks Go Surfing”

My Holiday Summary

A Guest Review By Donna Wooldridge

When my friend and I were choosing our surf and yoga retreat we came across the Surf Star Morocco website and instantly had a good feeling. Our instincts were right! We had the absolute time of our lives. From being picked up from the airport by a friendly driver who willingly stopped off at the supermarket and an ATM for us, to arriving at the retreat being shown around and to our lovely traditional style rooms my smile couldn’t get any bigger.

The team were like perfect hosts, all the beautiful home cooked Moroccan cuisine you could eat served to you, couscous, tagine, barbecue, desert, sweet mint tea. All around a huge sociable table with a stunning sea view.

Yoga was the first thing i experienced. Lucie the teacher at the time was incredible. The perfect combination of relaxation and meditation with stretching and conditioning that helps with the surfing. The terrace had a view of the sea to one side and the mountains to the other, it was just so soul cleansing to do yoga under the blue sky with the sun either rising or setting. I would finish each session feeling like i had bettered myself in some way. I have done yoga every day since i left the retreat, I’m hooked thanks to Lucie. Though I’m yet to find a class that comes close to the ones Lucie would teach.

It was my first time surfing and i was nervous. But as soon as we all got into the vans and headed to the beach playing chilled music and driving along the coast i knew it was going to be amazing. We would all warm up together on the beach in our wetsuits, the instructors would give us all the information and training we needed before getting into the water. They were so fun to be in the water with and so encouraging. No matter how many times you fell off that surf board they would help you back up and make sure you caught some waves throughout the day, laughing and joking with us. I had to keep checking in with reality at how amazing it was and by day 4 i was surfing thanks to those guys.

I loved lounging on the beach playing volleyball, frisby or football with the rest of the guys while the odd camel strolled by. The team were always there to keep you having fun. They would even drive you into banana village for avocado smoothies on request, which was a big hit amongst the group and have since tried to recreate my own to get the feeling of being back in the colourful exciting Morocco.

One of my favourite times was relaxing on the terrace under the starlight listening to music and socialising with the other surfers/yogis after dinner. I definitely recommend the trip into paradise valley where you do a mini hike along a river before coming to a gorgeous spring water pool where you can jump in from various heights, lots of fun! Also the hammam and massage close by to the retreat, perfect end to my holiday. All this is taken care of by the staff at surf star. All i did was get on the flight and the rest was taken care of, the perfect holiday! I can not wait to return!