Monthly Archives: January 2016

Competition at Devil’s Rock

This weekend it’s the Agadir Open Surf and Bodyboard competition. This takes place at the beach straight in front of our surf camp here in Tamraght, at the surf spot known as Devil’s Rock.

Devil’s Rock surf spot – straight down the hill from Surf Star

Included in the contest are the Moroccan bodyboard champion (ranked 24th in the world), Brahim Iddouch. And in the surf category, pro surfer Ramzi Boukhiam, originally from Agadir, who’s surfed in the same heat as Kelly Slater & Mick Fanning in the ASP world tour, heads the line-up.

Spectators gather to watch the surf contest

Walking down to Devil’s, the beach has been set up with tents and banners, the Moroccan flag flying in the gentle cross-shore wind. There’s music playing out and a buzzy vibe of anticipation as local surfers meet one another on the beach.

The red Moroccan flag flies

It’s low-tide and a small swell when we’re there, so the waves are small, but the bodyboarders, and later on, surfers are giving all they’ve got to get through to the final tomorrow on Sunday. The klaxon blares and the commentators speak fast French; you wonder how nervous the competitors are feeling, especially when in competition with a pro.

The beach gets busier as the contest is about to begin

We sit in the restaurant overlooking Devil’s Rock, sipping freshly squeezed orange juice, eating a lunch of fried calamari and chips. The sun is beating down, the water a shimmering blue.

It’s the 6th annual Agadir Open, and it’s great to see it’s getting more coverage and becoming a bigger event. It feels really special to be in the village when something like this is on. Everyone makes time to go and see part of it, or knows someone competing. It’s great to be a part of.

Swimwear – board shorts, swim suits, bikinis…. bring at least two, especially if you like to change into something dry after a surf.

Sun protection – this one’s important! The sun is strong, doubly so in the water where it reflects back. Strong factors are important for your body, but we highly recommend a zinc stick or cream for your face. This stuff is super reliable, won’t rub off and, also important, won’t run in your eyes and make them sting!

Zinc sun protection is the best to use on your face – it’s stays put and won’t sting your eyes

A hoodie – or other warm clothes. If you’re coming to Morocco in the Winter months, it can get chilly in the evenings, but also on the rare cloudy or windy days you will definitely appreciate a cozy jumper on the beach!

Yoga clothes – or something that you’d be comfortable for yoga in. There’s such an awesome yoga vibe attached to surfing here that you’ll definitely want to give it a try, even if you’ve not done it before! And it’s so good to stretch out those tired muscles after surfing…

Flip-flops – you won’t want to be wearing socks and shoes while you’re in Morocco!

and/or

Sandals – something more supportive on your feet means you can enjoy a day trip to somewhere like Paradise Valley.

Music – get some tunes on your phone or mp3! Everyone loves some epic music in the car as we head out surfing, and a bluetooth speaker at the beach is good fun.

An adapter – the standard French type is what you’ll need for Moroccan electric sockets.

You won’t need to pack things like towels or hairdryers – we have ones you can use here at Surf Star. All your surfing equipment (surfboards, wetsuits, rash vests etc.) and yoga things (mats, blocks, straps) is all provided in our surf and yoga packages.

And don’t forget to leave a little bit of room in your suitcase for the lovely Moroccan souvenirs you’ll want to take home!