As the East Coast continues through the surf doldrums, let's remove ourselves for a couple of minutes and mind surf these pumping windswept pointbreaks. A great little clip showcasing the jewels of Morocco.
AAAHHHH Morocco,going back in time, haven't been there....., on the bucket list. Even the tunes seemed to suit.
crgThursday, 31 Jan 2019 at 5:50pm
I'll be back there for at least a month at the end of the year...can't wait!!
BlowinThursday, 31 Jan 2019 at 6:57pm
You had good waves , Crg ?
crgThursday, 31 Jan 2019 at 8:14pm
Only been the once, way back in the mid 90's, mostly around the known spots near Agadir - Killers, Anchor point etc. Got really good waves and it's been on the list to go back forever. Finally locked it in after visiting the wife's family in Italy in October.
BlowinThursday, 31 Jan 2019 at 8:19pm
Sounds unreal.
Waves look very appealing. It’d be interesting to hear back from you regarding the crowds these days. If it’s crowded say it was crowded, if it was unbelievably crowded then say it was unbelievably crowded . If it’s empty then say it was unsurfably overrun with people.
Does that code work for you ?
crgThursday, 31 Jan 2019 at 9:04pm
Haha...yep that's a good code. I'm wondering about the crowds myself but I'll be more mobile and exploring this trip so hoping to find some unsurfably overrun perfection.
carpetmanThursday, 31 Jan 2019 at 11:31pm
I was there a year ago and it was fuck off crowded. Even waves like dracs had 20+ people on it. Drove around for 5 weeks, few hundred Ks north, and a few hundred ks south, possible to get uncrowded waves but, fuck, taghazout was a shit show.
sharkmanFriday, 1 Feb 2019 at 6:14am
been in Maroc for 2 weeks , this weekend looks like the points will light up as there is very very big swell coming on Saturday...bit of a crowd , but over 6' its pretty amazing , one of the most beautiful places ever , and people are so damn friendly...bucket list for sure.....
TobiasKFriday, 1 Feb 2019 at 11:05am
I worked there as a surf guide in 2007/2008. Number of people in the crowd were never the issue; the hatred of locals for tourists was.
Every day the locals were picking fights with anyone white. I saw a boogie boarder (who worked at my camp) pull of one of his fins and start hitting an Brit guy over the head for no reason.
I saw a local drop in on an Aussie guy, and when the Aussie guy tried to call him off - ended in a fight on the beach and the Aussie getting chased out of town with a dozen-or-so locals trying to stone him to death.
People got their cars smashed when they didn't buy T-shirts of the local hawker kids...
I escaped any confrontation because (I believe) I was working amongst them, and wasn't just blowing through town. The surf is unbelievable, but often there is a greater price to pay. If you go, stay with one of the bigger reputable camps. They will ensure you stay out of harms way, and they tend to employ the bigger thugs in the area. If you can't beat em, employ em, right?
sharkmanFriday, 1 Feb 2019 at 8:18pm
Sounds a bit like Mundaka now , but no agro here , where was the spot you witnessed all of this?
TobiasKSaturday, 2 Feb 2019 at 12:38pm
Anchors is the worst for it.
I had a bit of trouble with some old-boy French locals at Mysteries as well.
Anchors would have to be one of the worlds best waves, but the locals won't let you paddle to the peak - even if it's too big for them to take the peak.
I surfed Anchors at 10ft, and it was perfect! Unbelievably user friendly too. Just a pity the locals hate us.
BlowinThursday, 7 Feb 2019 at 11:31am
Hey Sharkman - How was Morrocco ?
Get some waves ?
onthepumpTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 3:18pm
Worst agressive locals I’ve encountered as a travelling surfer. That’s at Anchor point but there are other options.
ringmasterTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 4:20pm
I reckon local crew on Lanzarote would give em' a good run! They were real bad when I was there in the mid 90's (actually burnt some Pommy surfers kombi while he was out surfing for the sole reason that he'd 'been there too long' among many other spiteful acts) so fuck knows how they'd be in 2019.
inter_webzFriday, 1 Feb 2019 at 6:48pm
Just got back a couple weeks ago and the crowds are growing each year. If you're willing to look around and go exploring you're guaranteed to surf empty breaks. Locals are becoming more and more aggro, especially the younger ones.
memlasurfThursday, 31 Jan 2019 at 7:36pm
Rockin the Kasbar that one. Heavy on the outside then a great wall toward the end it looks like. Wonder the WSL have sniffed it out though I suppose Morocco has its share of Allahu Akbar kaboom.
freeride76Thursday, 31 Jan 2019 at 8:10pm
god that hard offshore texture looks inviting after 3 months of constant onshores.
SolitudeThursday, 31 Jan 2019 at 9:32pm
Such an amazing surf destination. Variety too. Plenty of secret spots other than those main points.
Crg- I highly recommend you try and hook up with Moroccan Surf Adventures. Denny is the owner, he was one of the first guys to set a camp up there and knows the place better than anyone.
BillywFriday, 1 Feb 2019 at 12:20am
cool clip, makes you want to surf.
haggisFriday, 1 Feb 2019 at 5:05pm
I went there with some Sicilian mates I met in Sydney in 2000. We stayed in and around Plage des Nations. Vincenzo snapped his only board on the first day and on the second day ended up with gastro for a week. The people there were very friendly and when we ran out of money in the hotel, we stayed with a family in Sidi Bouknadel who looked after us. Every morning they would bake bread in a clay pot in the ground. When we walked to the beach with our boards (it was a long walk), one of them would follow us asking for white goods and books when we returned back to our homes. In the end the father kept dropping hints for one of us to marry his daughter, Milouda. Was a great time, not many tourists in that part and we were treated like royalty. The one thing I remember was how many Eucalypts were there. Just seemed odd - almost like home. The other thing I remember was how many plastic bags were blowing around the country. This video brought back good memories of more adventurous times. Thanks. The one regret is I never went down South to surf those epic point breaks.
factotumFriday, 1 Feb 2019 at 6:10pm
Good hamburgers in Agadir.
No, seriously.
Get toasted and drive there from Taghazout. Pick up a slab too.
And me old mate is in business these days with that Denny fella. Got a new sick looking set-up.
Don't know if this counts as advertising.
Safi locals can get a tad excited too.
factotumFriday, 1 Feb 2019 at 6:16pm
Actually, things can get funky when it rains too!
clifSaturday, 2 Feb 2019 at 2:07am
lots of these types of waves in western sahara. few people. bring water haha
ÄlskarhavetSaturday, 2 Feb 2019 at 4:18am
Agreed about the crowds. I’ve been over twice in the last couple years and the Euro wannabes seem to have no qualms about dropping in without even looking and then finally pulling off when you’ve called 5 times and the wave is pretty much done. They’re getting better too, even from landlocked countries, Germans for example. The locals are also aggressive as mentioned above and pretty much rule the points. They don’t even look behind. Some heavy dudes too.
But there is some great surf, tasty tagines and pretty cheap living. I’ve had anchors 4 or 5 times pumping, incredible wave if you can get some and over 6ft weeds out the euros generally. Won’t be going back to agadir again but will be exploring elsewhere in the country.
Rubbish everywhere, goats that climb trees, camels on the beach, cave houses, smell of spices in the air, passionate and down to earth people, desert setting. Interesting place!
CryptoKnightSaturday, 2 Feb 2019 at 2:06pm
Get stones gall out of the pacific facto... looks like the place needs a new DJ... and don't tell me he's a 'mmmmmaaaaaayyyyttteee aaayyyeeee'... a 'mmmaaaaayyyyttteee' gone missin'... even down east albany way...
Not that... any fuckin' thing but that...
factotumSaturday, 2 Feb 2019 at 10:17pm
DJ Gull was just in the desert. Flying in, wigging out. B.I.T now.
East of Albany. Hahahaha.
Jesus wept.
CryptoKnightSaturday, 2 Feb 2019 at 10:46pm
Come to think of it facto, Europe's not ready for azza 2. But I got plans for young stones elsewhere... new reef shudderers...
Yeh, tears of laughter. On loop...y
Gotta hand it to ya. This said it all... in a nutshell...
I like it!!!
factotumSaturday, 2 Feb 2019 at 11:34pm
Blow out
BlowinSunday, 3 Feb 2019 at 12:18pm
Christ , you two are like the Swellnet Mean Girls. It’s cute the way you reassure each other.
factotumSunday, 3 Feb 2019 at 12:27pm
Handbag alert!!!!
BlowinSunday, 3 Feb 2019 at 1:34pm
Lifty cum in you , you cum on floor....was beautiful.
factotumSunday, 3 Feb 2019 at 4:09pm
Now THAT is just creepily weird.
Seriously.
Yikes!!!!!!!!
BlowinSunday, 3 Feb 2019 at 4:32pm
Hangover 2.
BlowinSunday, 3 Feb 2019 at 1:35pm
Morocco, huh ?
tuxMonday, 4 Feb 2019 at 2:42pm
Spent 6 weeks there at the end of 2000 surfed all the way down from Casablanca to Agadir....we had good to great waves every day of the trip from pumping 10ft anchors to a mystery left that was easily the same quality as lances in indo...yes we did get our hire car bogged a lot....but there were fuck all people once you moved away from the spots in the stormriders guide
cswellsTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 12:05pm
I was in Tagazhout back in September / October last year with a mate for a surf trip. We knew we were going early in the season, but crossed our fingers regardless.
Unfortunately, the swell didn’t arrive – Anchor Point was flat, we ended up only getting to surf a beach break 45 minutes up the road called Tamri (fyi, mid-tide is the sweet spot), and 2ft boilers on low tide. By far the glassiest place I’ve ever surfed though, but the onshore breeze comes in early while due to the heat. Water was surprisingly warm, I took my 4/3 which was way too thick for that time of year – could easily surf in boardshorts.
In regards to the vibe, I can’t say I was the biggest fan of the locals in all honesty.. sketchier than I expected and a lot seem want to get something from you if you’re a tourist (which most people in Tagazhout clearly are). Just be smart, and (as you should anyway) always respect the locals. But, the place we stayed at had an incredible host – Rachid at Africa Spirit. Great bloke who was constantly eager to talk surfing, give you recommendations on where to go in what conditions, and then sit and show you surf clips in the evening. If you’re gonna stay in Tagazhout, stay there. I also highly recommend you rent a car (pick-up in Agadir, go with the bigger-name car rentals for safety) to drive from spot to spot – made a huge difference for us, and it’s the smartest way to get around if you want bang for your buck.
For crowds, we didn’t experience much due to the lack of swell, but we were told Anchor Point gets ridiculously busy, but there’s so many other good spots to go to that’re better than AP when it’s firing (hence, get a car!).
Also, be wary of what you eat. We ran the gamut with Tagines most days, and got horrifically sick mid-way through the trip. Bed ridden for two days, energy knocked for longer, didn’t make a full recovery for about three weeks.
BlowinTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 4:25pm
The food would want to be good.
freeride76Tuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 4:26pm
Yeah, even though I would cut off my own left leg for an offshore wave right now, I think I might give Morocco a miss.
Chileans seem cool, anyone been to Chile?
Those lefts sure look inviting.
BlowinTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 4:36pm
A fella I know went round the world and got his best waves in Chile.
Pretty sure there’s not as much of a problem with fuckwit Moroccans and French blowlocals in Chile too. Not sure about the Chilean tangine scene though.
freeride76Tuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 4:38pm
Been meeting a few Chileans lately and they all seem really cool people.
sounds like there are enough waves to go around there.
I kind of picture it as New Zealand on steroids.
CraigTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 4:40pm
Yep met a few and have had lots of mate score there. Great trip and one I have to tick off!
freeride76Tuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 4:44pm
There couldn't be many better or wider open swell windows than the Chilean coast.
BlowinTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 4:51pm
No sharks !
cswellsWednesday, 6 Feb 2019 at 8:32am
Funnily enough, when I was scoping out Tagazhout the general vibe was 'No Sharks'. Day 2, surfing Boilers, 50m out from us... a big ol' black fin that wasn't moving up-and-down like a dolphin...
factotumWednesday, 6 Feb 2019 at 9:34am
Orca? They get around there. Killers! Apparently.
cswellsWednesday, 6 Feb 2019 at 10:36am
Possible! Not sure if it was the right time of year though. But there's a break called 'Killers' literally named for that reason!
FlashinthepanTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 6:58pm
I have surfed Chile. I probably wouldn't provide information on anywhere that had more good points than bad.
The good:
Endless swell, tolerable crowds, no shark attacks, light winds, second safest country in the Americas (after Canada), lots to see, spectacular coastline, never rains.
The bad:
Often wobbly and morning sick all day, dirty green smelly upwelled Humboldt Current water, water ranges from cold to freezing, damp sea fog air, some breaks are run by adult male boogie boarders, Brazilians trek over the Andes, some big ports and heavy industry on the coast, litter, smokers, hard to travel without Spanish, never rains.
factotumTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 7:07pm
No "fuckwit Moroccans and French blowlocals" either. In Chile.
Though I haven't been.
To Chile.
Whatevers!!!!
factotumTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 7:04pm
Ah fark, Flash. Don't bugger it.
Just 'cos you've been there and shit.
crgTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 7:39pm
One of my mates married a Chilean lass, he's happy as Larry. Works here in Aus 7 months, the rest in Chile on holiday at his little shack on the beach in Ramon Navarro's home town. Says the waves are good, surprisingly heavy at certain spots, crowds are getting worse and he has only had mild problems as a gringo. He's pretty much fluent in Spanish which he says is a big advantage, they can blank you badly without it. Water is cold...4/3 minimum.
I'm pencilled in for an extended stay next year.
kieron_hTuesday, 5 Feb 2019 at 9:16pm
Spent 6 weeks in Morocco at the start of 2013, then followed that up by 8 weeks in Chile in May-June 2013... so can give a good comparison of the two.
In a snapshot - if you like left points, go to Chile, if you like right points, go to Morocco...
Morocco was epic - great waves and most were pretty user friendly, headline spots are crowded, but as a few people have said, once it gets over 6ft the crowds thin out. Water is a bit polluted at times. Was consistently 3-6ft most days, and had a couple few bigger swells that I was undergunned for. Was super cheap, stayed in an incredible place, great hosts, great food. Amazing culture and things to see and do outside of surf.
Chile was a swell machine - consistent 4-8ft swell nearly every day with potential to go a lot bigger. We had several 12-15ft days that were well above my pay grade. Water was cold in May. 4/3, booties, gloves and gets a lot colder in winter proper. Clean water, great people, safe, developed, accessible (albeit big distances along the coast).
As usual, in both places you'll go a lot further with some of the language - French and Spanish are easy to pick up a few key things.
Morocco is great for wave-starved folk in summer, Chile great for pumping waves in winter, but its the same season as Indo... so 5/4, boots, gloves, hood vs boardies is the decision to be made there...
goofyfootWednesday, 6 Feb 2019 at 10:20am
Chile and Peru
One day, one day...
Sigh :-(
Gary GWednesday, 6 Feb 2019 at 10:53am
Gary has gifted his good looks to the surface of a few faceys in Peru - both around Lima and slightly further afield. Had a landlocked day in Northern Chile too where he could see waves breaking everywhere but was without a board or an opportunity to hire one.
For Victorians and others who are deprived of lefts, not afraid of cool water, and comfortable in slightly wonky (but powerful) surface conditions it's a great trip that's about much more than just the surf.
Gary is fluent in the international language of love but would recommend that others have a working knowledge of Spanish to help get around
Comments
AAAHHHH Morocco,going back in time, haven't been there....., on the bucket list. Even the tunes seemed to suit.
I'll be back there for at least a month at the end of the year...can't wait!!
You had good waves , Crg ?
Only been the once, way back in the mid 90's, mostly around the known spots near Agadir - Killers, Anchor point etc. Got really good waves and it's been on the list to go back forever. Finally locked it in after visiting the wife's family in Italy in October.
Sounds unreal.
Waves look very appealing. It’d be interesting to hear back from you regarding the crowds these days. If it’s crowded say it was crowded, if it was unbelievably crowded then say it was unbelievably crowded . If it’s empty then say it was unsurfably overrun with people.
Does that code work for you ?
Haha...yep that's a good code. I'm wondering about the crowds myself but I'll be more mobile and exploring this trip so hoping to find some unsurfably overrun perfection.
I was there a year ago and it was fuck off crowded. Even waves like dracs had 20+ people on it. Drove around for 5 weeks, few hundred Ks north, and a few hundred ks south, possible to get uncrowded waves but, fuck, taghazout was a shit show.
been in Maroc for 2 weeks , this weekend looks like the points will light up as there is very very big swell coming on Saturday...bit of a crowd , but over 6' its pretty amazing , one of the most beautiful places ever , and people are so damn friendly...bucket list for sure.....
I worked there as a surf guide in 2007/2008. Number of people in the crowd were never the issue; the hatred of locals for tourists was.
Every day the locals were picking fights with anyone white. I saw a boogie boarder (who worked at my camp) pull of one of his fins and start hitting an Brit guy over the head for no reason.
I saw a local drop in on an Aussie guy, and when the Aussie guy tried to call him off - ended in a fight on the beach and the Aussie getting chased out of town with a dozen-or-so locals trying to stone him to death.
People got their cars smashed when they didn't buy T-shirts of the local hawker kids...
I escaped any confrontation because (I believe) I was working amongst them, and wasn't just blowing through town. The surf is unbelievable, but often there is a greater price to pay. If you go, stay with one of the bigger reputable camps. They will ensure you stay out of harms way, and they tend to employ the bigger thugs in the area. If you can't beat em, employ em, right?
Sounds a bit like Mundaka now , but no agro here , where was the spot you witnessed all of this?
Anchors is the worst for it.
I had a bit of trouble with some old-boy French locals at Mysteries as well.
Anchors would have to be one of the worlds best waves, but the locals won't let you paddle to the peak - even if it's too big for them to take the peak.
I surfed Anchors at 10ft, and it was perfect! Unbelievably user friendly too. Just a pity the locals hate us.
Hey Sharkman - How was Morrocco ?
Get some waves ?
Worst agressive locals I’ve encountered as a travelling surfer. That’s at Anchor point but there are other options.
I reckon local crew on Lanzarote would give em' a good run! They were real bad when I was there in the mid 90's (actually burnt some Pommy surfers kombi while he was out surfing for the sole reason that he'd 'been there too long' among many other spiteful acts) so fuck knows how they'd be in 2019.
Just got back a couple weeks ago and the crowds are growing each year. If you're willing to look around and go exploring you're guaranteed to surf empty breaks. Locals are becoming more and more aggro, especially the younger ones.
Rockin the Kasbar that one. Heavy on the outside then a great wall toward the end it looks like. Wonder the WSL have sniffed it out though I suppose Morocco has its share of Allahu Akbar kaboom.
god that hard offshore texture looks inviting after 3 months of constant onshores.
Such an amazing surf destination. Variety too. Plenty of secret spots other than those main points.
Crg- I highly recommend you try and hook up with Moroccan Surf Adventures. Denny is the owner, he was one of the first guys to set a camp up there and knows the place better than anyone.
cool clip, makes you want to surf.
I went there with some Sicilian mates I met in Sydney in 2000. We stayed in and around Plage des Nations. Vincenzo snapped his only board on the first day and on the second day ended up with gastro for a week. The people there were very friendly and when we ran out of money in the hotel, we stayed with a family in Sidi Bouknadel who looked after us. Every morning they would bake bread in a clay pot in the ground. When we walked to the beach with our boards (it was a long walk), one of them would follow us asking for white goods and books when we returned back to our homes. In the end the father kept dropping hints for one of us to marry his daughter, Milouda. Was a great time, not many tourists in that part and we were treated like royalty. The one thing I remember was how many Eucalypts were there. Just seemed odd - almost like home. The other thing I remember was how many plastic bags were blowing around the country. This video brought back good memories of more adventurous times. Thanks. The one regret is I never went down South to surf those epic point breaks.
Good hamburgers in Agadir.
No, seriously.
Get toasted and drive there from Taghazout. Pick up a slab too.
And me old mate is in business these days with that Denny fella. Got a new sick looking set-up.
Don't know if this counts as advertising.
Safi locals can get a tad excited too.
Actually, things can get funky when it rains too!
lots of these types of waves in western sahara. few people. bring water haha
Agreed about the crowds. I’ve been over twice in the last couple years and the Euro wannabes seem to have no qualms about dropping in without even looking and then finally pulling off when you’ve called 5 times and the wave is pretty much done. They’re getting better too, even from landlocked countries, Germans for example. The locals are also aggressive as mentioned above and pretty much rule the points. They don’t even look behind. Some heavy dudes too.
But there is some great surf, tasty tagines and pretty cheap living. I’ve had anchors 4 or 5 times pumping, incredible wave if you can get some and over 6ft weeds out the euros generally. Won’t be going back to agadir again but will be exploring elsewhere in the country.
Rubbish everywhere, goats that climb trees, camels on the beach, cave houses, smell of spices in the air, passionate and down to earth people, desert setting. Interesting place!
Get stones gall out of the pacific facto... looks like the place needs a new DJ... and don't tell me he's a 'mmmmmaaaaaayyyyttteee aaayyyeeee'... a 'mmmaaaaayyyyttteee' gone missin'... even down east albany way...
Not that... any fuckin' thing but that...
DJ Gull was just in the desert. Flying in, wigging out. B.I.T now.
East of Albany. Hahahaha.
Jesus wept.
Come to think of it facto, Europe's not ready for azza 2. But I got plans for young stones elsewhere... new reef shudderers...
Yeh, tears of laughter. On loop...y
Gotta hand it to ya. This said it all... in a nutshell...
I like it!!!
Blow out
Christ , you two are like the Swellnet Mean Girls. It’s cute the way you reassure each other.
Handbag alert!!!!
Lifty cum in you , you cum on floor....was beautiful.
Now THAT is just creepily weird.
Seriously.
Yikes!!!!!!!!
Hangover 2.
Morocco, huh ?
Spent 6 weeks there at the end of 2000 surfed all the way down from Casablanca to Agadir....we had good to great waves every day of the trip from pumping 10ft anchors to a mystery left that was easily the same quality as lances in indo...yes we did get our hire car bogged a lot....but there were fuck all people once you moved away from the spots in the stormriders guide
I was in Tagazhout back in September / October last year with a mate for a surf trip. We knew we were going early in the season, but crossed our fingers regardless.
Unfortunately, the swell didn’t arrive – Anchor Point was flat, we ended up only getting to surf a beach break 45 minutes up the road called Tamri (fyi, mid-tide is the sweet spot), and 2ft boilers on low tide. By far the glassiest place I’ve ever surfed though, but the onshore breeze comes in early while due to the heat. Water was surprisingly warm, I took my 4/3 which was way too thick for that time of year – could easily surf in boardshorts.
In regards to the vibe, I can’t say I was the biggest fan of the locals in all honesty.. sketchier than I expected and a lot seem want to get something from you if you’re a tourist (which most people in Tagazhout clearly are). Just be smart, and (as you should anyway) always respect the locals. But, the place we stayed at had an incredible host – Rachid at Africa Spirit. Great bloke who was constantly eager to talk surfing, give you recommendations on where to go in what conditions, and then sit and show you surf clips in the evening. If you’re gonna stay in Tagazhout, stay there. I also highly recommend you rent a car (pick-up in Agadir, go with the bigger-name car rentals for safety) to drive from spot to spot – made a huge difference for us, and it’s the smartest way to get around if you want bang for your buck.
For crowds, we didn’t experience much due to the lack of swell, but we were told Anchor Point gets ridiculously busy, but there’s so many other good spots to go to that’re better than AP when it’s firing (hence, get a car!).
Also, be wary of what you eat. We ran the gamut with Tagines most days, and got horrifically sick mid-way through the trip. Bed ridden for two days, energy knocked for longer, didn’t make a full recovery for about three weeks.
The food would want to be good.
Yeah, even though I would cut off my own left leg for an offshore wave right now, I think I might give Morocco a miss.
Chileans seem cool, anyone been to Chile?
Those lefts sure look inviting.
A fella I know went round the world and got his best waves in Chile.
Pretty sure there’s not as much of a problem with fuckwit Moroccans and French blowlocals in Chile too. Not sure about the Chilean tangine scene though.
Been meeting a few Chileans lately and they all seem really cool people.
sounds like there are enough waves to go around there.
I kind of picture it as New Zealand on steroids.
Yep met a few and have had lots of mate score there. Great trip and one I have to tick off!
There couldn't be many better or wider open swell windows than the Chilean coast.
No sharks !
Funnily enough, when I was scoping out Tagazhout the general vibe was 'No Sharks'. Day 2, surfing Boilers, 50m out from us... a big ol' black fin that wasn't moving up-and-down like a dolphin...
Orca? They get around there. Killers! Apparently.
Possible! Not sure if it was the right time of year though. But there's a break called 'Killers' literally named for that reason!
I have surfed Chile. I probably wouldn't provide information on anywhere that had more good points than bad.
The good:
Endless swell, tolerable crowds, no shark attacks, light winds, second safest country in the Americas (after Canada), lots to see, spectacular coastline, never rains.
The bad:
Often wobbly and morning sick all day, dirty green smelly upwelled Humboldt Current water, water ranges from cold to freezing, damp sea fog air, some breaks are run by adult male boogie boarders, Brazilians trek over the Andes, some big ports and heavy industry on the coast, litter, smokers, hard to travel without Spanish, never rains.
No "fuckwit Moroccans and French blowlocals" either. In Chile.
Though I haven't been.
To Chile.
Whatevers!!!!
Ah fark, Flash. Don't bugger it.
Just 'cos you've been there and shit.
One of my mates married a Chilean lass, he's happy as Larry. Works here in Aus 7 months, the rest in Chile on holiday at his little shack on the beach in Ramon Navarro's home town. Says the waves are good, surprisingly heavy at certain spots, crowds are getting worse and he has only had mild problems as a gringo. He's pretty much fluent in Spanish which he says is a big advantage, they can blank you badly without it. Water is cold...4/3 minimum.
I'm pencilled in for an extended stay next year.
Spent 6 weeks in Morocco at the start of 2013, then followed that up by 8 weeks in Chile in May-June 2013... so can give a good comparison of the two.
In a snapshot - if you like left points, go to Chile, if you like right points, go to Morocco...
Morocco was epic - great waves and most were pretty user friendly, headline spots are crowded, but as a few people have said, once it gets over 6ft the crowds thin out. Water is a bit polluted at times. Was consistently 3-6ft most days, and had a couple few bigger swells that I was undergunned for. Was super cheap, stayed in an incredible place, great hosts, great food. Amazing culture and things to see and do outside of surf.
Chile was a swell machine - consistent 4-8ft swell nearly every day with potential to go a lot bigger. We had several 12-15ft days that were well above my pay grade. Water was cold in May. 4/3, booties, gloves and gets a lot colder in winter proper. Clean water, great people, safe, developed, accessible (albeit big distances along the coast).
As usual, in both places you'll go a lot further with some of the language - French and Spanish are easy to pick up a few key things.
Morocco is great for wave-starved folk in summer, Chile great for pumping waves in winter, but its the same season as Indo... so 5/4, boots, gloves, hood vs boardies is the decision to be made there...
Chile and Peru
One day, one day...
Sigh :-(
Gary has gifted his good looks to the surface of a few faceys in Peru - both around Lima and slightly further afield. Had a landlocked day in Northern Chile too where he could see waves breaking everywhere but was without a board or an opportunity to hire one.
For Victorians and others who are deprived of lefts, not afraid of cool water, and comfortable in slightly wonky (but powerful) surface conditions it's a great trip that's about much more than just the surf.
Gary is fluent in the international language of love but would recommend that others have a working knowledge of Spanish to help get around
Hey Sharkman - How was Morrocco ?
Get some waves ?