How did you discover surfing?
I grew up in Dar Bouazza, surrounded by surf spots… and yet, I never learned to surf when I was young.
I used to wakeboard every summer, but that was it. I really discovered surfing 3 years ago, after a pretty painful breakup.
I was going through a period where I was asking myself a lot of questions. I decided to go back to Morocco for a week, and I took a surfing lesson in Dar Bouazza.
And then, it all clicked. I still remember that moment in the water, lying on the board: I had forgotten everything. I was simply in the present moment.
And I knew I wouldn't let go of that.
How do you feel when you surf?
Just thinking about it makes my heart race. When I'm riding a wave, I feel strong, proud, free.
This week, I was lucky enough to be alone in the water, early in the morning, with incredible waves… and I thought I wanted to keep that feeling for as long as possible.
For me, surfing is all about this: intense sensations, and the desire to go back again and again.
What has surfing taught you?
Surfing taught me to identify my limits… and above all, to push them. Sometimes, we're afraid. We think we've reached the end of what we can do.
But this sport is so powerful and beautiful that you want to push yourself further. And you succeed.
He's given me more confidence. I feel stronger, more determined. And he's also teaching me humility. When I arrive at a spot and see that it's too big for me, I accept it.
I tell myself: "Not yet... but soon." Everything in its own time.
What role does surfing play in your life?
The whole place… really! Sometimes I think I'm exaggerating, but sometimes I think surfing came into my life for a good reason, and I have to follow it.
Today, my decisions revolve around surfing: my travels, my life choices, my vision of the future.
I often say that I'm obsessed with surfing… but I think it's a good obsession!
5. What battles do you fight on a daily basis?
My main challenge is juggling my personal life, professional life, and my passion for surfing.
I enjoy playing sports, sharing moments with my loved ones, and improving my surfing.
My real struggle is to find a balance between all of that.
What kind of social environment did you grow up in? Did it influence your choices?
I grew up in a traditional family environment, where education was essential.
I was fortunate enough to study in France, going through preparatory classes and business school, with the goal of having a “great career”.
Obviously, that influenced my choices. But today, even if I'm taking a different path, my family supports me in my
surf-related projects. My brother, who has been surfing for much longer than me, also guides me a lot in this passion.
Is surfing expensive for a Moroccan?
Yes, clearly. When you're starting out, you need to invest in a board, a wetsuit, and often take lessons to progress.
And when you become passionate, you want to improve your equipment, discover other spots, travel… so it starts to add up.
For a Moroccan, it can be a real expense, especially if you don't have direct access to the sea or don't know anyone in the industry.
But fortunately, there are more and more initiatives to make surfing more accessible:
• Local clubs that lend equipment or offer affordable packages,
• Moroccan coaches who adjust their rates or set up groups for
learning together,
• Small communities of surfers on Instagram or WhatsApp who help each other,
they exchange equipment, or organize sessions.
Moroccans are generous, and we see that in surfing too.
Do you experience sexism in the water?
Honestly, I've never felt that way.
What I feel more is competition. The need to prove myself in an unfamiliar spot, to show that you deserve your place.
But I don't think it's related to being a woman.
On the contrary, sometimes I even get the impression that guys are cooler with me because I'm a girl… and frankly, I'm perfectly fine with that 😄
Are there many Moroccan women who surf? Why?
No, not yet. In most of my sessions, I'm the only woman in the water. But I'm sure there are others elsewhere, at other spots.
I think there are more of us than we realize. But we need more people to talk about us. We need to motivate each other. Because I know loads of us who are amazing!!
A woman who inspires you?
All the women who surf and rock! I'm thinking of a girl I met at a spot that intimidated me a little.
She saw me standing apart and said to me: «"Come on, let's go up to the peak."» That kind of gesture stays with you.
These are the women who inspire me: those who share, who encourage, who create a good vibe in the water.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I joke when I say "pro surfer, but I have maneuvers and turns that I dream of mastering!
I also want to continue listening to my heart, pushing my limits, living around and through surfing.
And there is a small project that I am preparing at the moment… a project that is very close to my heart, and which will allow me to share this passion even more.
What would you say to a little girl who is hesitant to take up surfing?
If you're hesitant to take the plunge... I'd just say: do it.
Even if it's a little scary at first, even if you think it's not for you, try it. Because at worst...? And at best... it will change your life.
Surfing is so much more than a sport: it's a feeling, an energy, something you feel deeply. And I hope you get to experience that.
Personally, I wish someone had encouraged me to surf when I was younger. I sometimes wonder where I would be today if I had started earlier.
What role does Morocco play in your passion for surfing?
I often think that I am incredibly lucky: that surfing crossed my path, and that I am Moroccan.
Honestly, Morocco is a paradise for surfers.
We have magnificent waves, a huge coastline, and spots for all levels.
I started in Dar Bouazza, but there are still so many spots to discover… just thinking about it makes my heart race.
And with each new spot I discover here, I think to myself: «"Wow, we're so lucky."»
I think my passion for surfing only grows when I think about my country.
