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In the morning we drive to check the local surf spots

One of the best things about coming to a surf camp? No worries about figuring out where’s the best surf spot for the day. Nothing can top the local instructors’ knowledge – they surf these beaches and breaks everyday! I’ve been to Surf Star a few times now, and it’s great to still go to new spots – it just goes to show that conditions are always changing and the best waves aren’t always in the same places each day.

Anza beach

Recently, the swell has made Anza light up pretty regularly; it’s become really popular with local surfers this season. The beach is only 10 minutes away – go south and it’s just before Agadir. This awesome spot has a peaky, steep left which sits on a reef, and a mellower, pealing right on the sand. The middle section works too so there’s loads of space for everyone!

Sweet green waves break to the right

It’s a cool beach too – the local guys practice their breakdancing and acrobatics here. Amazing to watch! We even got to spend some time playing with a gorgeous litter of beach pups while their momma was off getting some food. Such a great way to spend the afternoon, and totally unexpected. Even the ‘tough surfer dudes’ went all soppy and had to have some cuddles!

Fun surfing in the white water

Anza works best at high-tide, but it’s worth sticking around for low-tide because you can walk out on the rocks and see actual dinosaur footprints. Turns out there’s about 200, but we didn’t count that many… It’s amazing to think they’re still around after all those years. So I can definitely say that Anza is a pretty awesome place to spend the day surfing, hanging out and exploring.

See the dinosaur footprints when the tide is out

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.