The first QS5,000 in Morocco's history is right around the corner at the upcoming Pro Taghazout Bay and local surfers have obviously seized the opportunity to fight it out with some of the world's best surfers. Here's a few names you should keep in mind as the event draws closer.
Ramzi Boukhiam earns a 9.07 on his last wave in Round 2.
If there's one Moroccan surfer you have to have heard of, it's Ramzi. Undoubtedly the most successful surfer coming out of Morocco, the powerful goofy foot has collected more dinstinctions than any other surfer from the kingdom. A former European Junior Champion, multiple winner on the Qualifying Series: Zarautz, Anglet, Lacanau; Boukhiam has recently provisionally qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
And if that's not enough on its own, Anchor Point is here Ramzi grew up and honed his skills, he'll know the ins and outs of the wave better than anyone else in the event draw. Ramzi is definitely any Moroccan's number one pick for a big result in Taghazout.
2019 Ride of the Year Entry: Othmane Choufani at Nazare, Portugal on April 18, 2018. Video by Antione Chicoye.
It's highly likely you've seen Othmane's name around as well, but for a different reason. Not quite the QS warrior that Boukhiam is, Choufani on the other hand has made a name for himself on the big-wave stage. A former XXL Big Wave Awards nominee that chases large swells all over the globe, he's another goofy foot that could do some damage among the high seeds on home turf.
Selyann Zouhir (MAR) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
One of the youngest in the field, 17 year-old Zouhir has been the Moroccan surfer on a rampage last season, racking up excellent results on his way to a fourth place on the European Junior ranks. He also posted back-to-back Semis and Quarters on the Qualifying Series in Lacanau and Anglet to finish his season strong.
Aboubakar Bouaouda (MAR) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
The warrior of the crew, a 20 year-old kid who fought hard for a chance to compete on the QS and has shown his potential last year when he reached the Final in the inaugural Senegal Pro. Boubker will be more motivated than ever to shine on home turf and his deadly backhand attack is poised to shine on the long rights of Anchor Point.
Abdel El Harim (MAR) - WSL / Laurent Masurel
A legend of Moroccan surfing, El Harim had a record 10 National Champ titles and years of experience on the QS worldwide. He may have quit the tour full time a few years back but an event on home turf will sure re-kindle his love for competitive surfing.
Youngster Neil Aboufiras, Soufiane Charoub, Yassine Ramdani and Chadi Lahrioui will complete the home roster at the upcoming Pro Taghazout Bay.
Read the full article in French, on Surf Report Maroc's site.
On Our Radar at the Upcoming Pro Taghazout Bay
Surf Report Maroc
The first QS5,000 in Morocco's history is right around the corner at the upcoming Pro Taghazout Bay and local surfers have obviously seized the opportunity to fight it out with some of the world's best surfers. Here's a few names you should keep in mind as the event draws closer.
Ramzi Boukhiam
If there's one Moroccan surfer you have to have heard of, it's Ramzi. Undoubtedly the most successful surfer coming out of Morocco, the powerful goofy foot has collected more dinstinctions than any other surfer from the kingdom. A former European Junior Champion, multiple winner on the Qualifying Series: Zarautz, Anglet, Lacanau; Boukhiam has recently provisionally qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
And if that's not enough on its own, Anchor Point is here Ramzi grew up and honed his skills, he'll know the ins and outs of the wave better than anyone else in the event draw. Ramzi is definitely any Moroccan's number one pick for a big result in Taghazout.
Othmane Choufani
It's highly likely you've seen Othmane's name around as well, but for a different reason. Not quite the QS warrior that Boukhiam is, Choufani on the other hand has made a name for himself on the big-wave stage. A former XXL Big Wave Awards nominee that chases large swells all over the globe, he's another goofy foot that could do some damage among the high seeds on home turf.
Selyann Zouhir
One of the youngest in the field, 17 year-old Zouhir has been the Moroccan surfer on a rampage last season, racking up excellent results on his way to a fourth place on the European Junior ranks. He also posted back-to-back Semis and Quarters on the Qualifying Series in Lacanau and Anglet to finish his season strong.
Aboubakar Bouaouda
The warrior of the crew, a 20 year-old kid who fought hard for a chance to compete on the QS and has shown his potential last year when he reached the Final in the inaugural Senegal Pro. Boubker will be more motivated than ever to shine on home turf and his deadly backhand attack is poised to shine on the long rights of Anchor Point.
Abdelkhalek El Harim
A legend of Moroccan surfing, El Harim had a record 10 National Champ titles and years of experience on the QS worldwide. He may have quit the tour full time a few years back but an event on home turf will sure re-kindle his love for competitive surfing.
Youngster Neil Aboufiras, Soufiane Charoub, Yassine Ramdani and Chadi Lahrioui will complete the home roster at the upcoming Pro Taghazout Bay.
Read the full article in French, on Surf Report Maroc's site.
Ramzi Boukhiam
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In an unforgettable quarterfinal, Morocco's Ramzi Boukhiam takes on the legendary 11x World Champ Kelly Slater at firing Teahupo'o in 2024.
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The Rip Curl Pro Anglet comes back for a 10th edition at la Chambre d'Amour.
Pro Taghazout Bay
Have you had enough of the Pro Taghazout Bay action? We haven't either, so we're stoked to bring you a final recap of the inaugural QS5,000
Aside from the main Pro Taghazout Bay action, the event was also a chance to involve local kids with surfing, golfing and more activations
The conditions in Morocco were so good that event champ Nat Young called it one of the best QS comps he's ever surf in.
The Santa Cruz journeyman just dominated the inaugural Pro Taghazout Bay.
The Pro Taghazout Bay moves to Anchor Point and waves fire to decide the event's quarterfinalists.