I’m a big and relentless fan of active holidays. So when booking a spontaneous surf trip to Morocco, I thought: Sun, beach, sports — what could be better than that?
I stayed at Amayour Surf Camp in Taghazout for a week. With yoga every morning to release your tense surf muscles, and 3 hours of surf every day it’s safe to say that by the end of the week, my body was paying the surfer’s toll.
Considered one of the hardest sports in the world, I never thought that at 29 years of age, I’d pick up surfing as a complete rookie.
But I did. And I came out of the holiday — for lack of a better word — feeling proud, revitalized, and with body aches I can’t even begin to compare.
In the end, though, I was right. Surfing is a pure joy.
Here’s what I learned from a week of surfing in Morocco as a total beginner! We’ll cover:
- 4 beginner’s lessons I learned the hard way
- Why choose Morocco to learn how to surf?
- 3 virtues of surfing I learned in Morocco
4 Beginnger’s Surfing Lessons I Learned The Hard Way
Lesson #1: Buy Zinc IMMEDIATELY and Wear it ALWAYS
Zinc is a surfer’s sun lotion. It usually comes in bright colors so you can see when you need to re-apply it, and it’s waterproof.
So listen: I am half-Filipino and usually don’t burn. Despite that, wearing 50+ for sensitive skin on my face the first day didn’t cut it. At all.
I walked around Taghazouth with burns under my eyes for the rest of the trip (making me seem perpetually tired when the burns turned into flaky dark skin masquerading as eye bags).
Don’t skip the Zinc, people. It’s a lifesaver out there.
Oh, and, a hot beginner’s tip: Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your hands and feet if you’re wearing a wetsuit.
Lesson #2: Take Lessons
There’s a way to read waves that only true veterans can teach. Green waves vs. whitewash, etc. Which waves to ‘take’, which ones to ‘skip’.
50% of surfing as a beginner is learning how to avoid a wave so you don’t become a victim of the washing machine or swallow the Atlantic.
Taking lessons will help you navigate the waters so that your surfing is safe and you can feel confident when surfing alone.
Pro surfer ‘Lo’ admits that she regrets not taking 4 to 5 lessons as a beginner to kickstart her journey. In short, don’t just take it from me — take it from pro Lo!
Lesson #3: Perfect Your Pop-Up
I actually did about 5–10 pop-ups a day before heading to Morocco (self-pat on the back). But I think it helped. It took some of the other beginners a good hour of perfecting the pop-up on the sand and then back in the water to get it right.
And the thing is, perfecting the pop-up is everything because it gives you:
- Timing
- Stability
- Balance
- Direction
Use YouTube videos if you’re unsure how to do it, or repeat it many times on your board before going into the water with a teacher at hand to adjust you.
Lesson #4: Fear Has No Place in the Waves
This is a lesson that might feel controversial. Some surfers might suggest fear is important to set your boundaries with the ocean and not push yourself — surfing is an incredibly intense sport where you’re at the mercy of natural forces. If you’re tired and find yourself in a dangerous spot, fear might be just the emotion you need to turn back.
However, the way I held fear mostly had to do with:
- Fear of imperfection and failure
- Fear of the ocean and its unpredictability
In both cases, I urge you to: Dismiss those fears.
Yes, the ocean is unpredictable. But you have to let yourself go and lean into its beauty to capture the magic of surfing.
In addition, it’s a sport that doesn’t let you give up.
Every beach is different, every wave, every ocean, even every pop-up. You will miss waves, wait for waves, and try and try and try again and again and again.
But fear or self-doubt will stop you from getting that one wave that makes all the imperfect moments redundant. And that’s the beauty and also the point.
The ocean is magnificent, and it’s a blessing to let us surf her waters.
Why Choose Morocco to Learn How to Surf?
Brrr, the Atlantic is pretty cold, I’ll give you that. But you’re also pretty protected in a wetsuit.
Taghazout (40 minutes from Agadir) and Imsouane (about an hour up the coast from Taghazout) are surfer paradises.
Whole, authentic towns catered just for surfing. Meaning, the vibes are immaculate. A relaxed, hippie-like atmosphere permeates, and everywhere is safe and barefoot.
Essouaeria also has surfing beaches. In fact, from Agadir up to Essouaeira (a beautiful 3-hour coastal drive) you can always find a cove perfect for surfers.
Aside from the beauty and accessibility of the coastline, Morocco’s Arab culture means you’re welcome everywhere. It’s not just a safe haven for surfers, but all tourists alike.
So with a combination of:
- Surfing shops and rentals everywhere
- Amazing beaches
- Safe, warm culture
- Chill vibes
- Affordable prices
– I would strongly recommend Morocco as a surfer’s destination for beginners.
It’s where I learned the virtues of surfing. And where, should my budget and timeline provide, I will keep coming back to as a home away from home (and if not for that for the yummy roadside coffees!).
Three Virtues Of Surfing I Learned In Morocco
1. Patience
Patience. Is. Your. Best. Friend. I can’t stress this enough.
Of course, patience is a universal virtue. But during surfing, when you’re waiting for that one perfect wave, with a lot of time spent straddling your board, it’s more important than ever not to get frustrated.
In fact, the ocean won’t allow it.
Just take it easy. It’s a sport that can have a lot of downtime — perfect! Enjoy the waters, scan the horizons, and simply let yourself float.
2. Mindfulness
Surfing can take a lot of mental fortitude. Especially as a beginner. Start to notice when you get frustrated.
Personally, frustration meant I couldn’t catch a single wave.
It was only when I noticed that I was getting angry and became calm and grateful for where I was instead, that I could get back up on the board.
It’s why yoga and surfing (apart from the much-needed stretching yoga provides) go hand in hand. Be like water, says Bruce Lee.
And when you’re surfing, you literally can be like water.
So with his wisdom in tow, mindfulness can contribute to a better surf experience.
3. Grit
Take patience and mindfulness, and now you also need to throw in a bit of grit. For me, grit meant the attitude of ‘don’t give up’, which I’ve already talked a little bit about.
No surf day will ever be like another, because of the ever-changing playing field of the waves and ocean.
Therefore, it takes a certain amount of grit to keep going when you feel like you’ll never improve. But I believe the point of surfing (especially as a beginner at this age) is to collect a hobby and do it with grace.
And that starts by having the right attitude, with these three virtues in tow.
How Do I Cultivate These Behaviors Before My Surf Trip?
- Practice your pop-up
- Integrate meditation into your practice
- Stretch or do yoga every day while on your surf trip
- Journal about your day and include your frustrations and what went wrong
- Prepare for your trip by watching tutorials or videos (and get excited!)
- Choose a location that you know you will love
I hope this article has helped you see that Morocco can be the place you will fall in love with as a rookie surfer. Everyone is welcome, from beginners to the advanced, and I never suffered from imposter syndrome.
Conclusion
“Surfing is a very mystical sport, and you have to deserve the waves that you surf.” — Antonio Laureano, professional olympic surfer surfed Nazare’s biggest swell.
Loved every minute of it, even the excruciating ones. That’s what I’ve concluded with to family and friends.
But to you, I’ll say:
I’m proud I tried a new sport every day for a week straight, but I’m also humbled I was allowed to do it in Morocco.
It never felt forced. And with such a chill-out culture behind it, you can understand why surfing is for the ‘cool ones’.
There’s little competition when you’re a beginner.
So enjoy the playfulness, embrace the waves, and do it in Morocco, where they teach you a culture of surfing you’d want to be a part of forever.
🤙*
*Did you know the ‘shaka’ (the popular hand sign for surfing) comes from Hawaiin culture to signify ‘Right on’, ‘Hang loose’, or ‘Thank you’? Read more about its supposed origins.
