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Rabat – In the brutal world of competitive surfing, it takes more than talent and dedication to rise to the top. Yet, some names defy all odds to dominate the international stage, and Ramzi Boukhiam is quickly becoming one of them. Competing as the first Moroccan on the Championship Tour and the first Arab and African surfer to compete in the Olympics, Boukhiam has come far from humble beginnings in Agadir, a charming town on the African coast renowned for its beaches and waves. The athlete’s journey to the elite of his sport has been a true testament to the Moroccan spirit of perseverance and passion.
Boukhiam was introduced to surfing by his brother Sam, who encouraged him to try surfing after seeing his affinity for the waves playing with bodyboards on the sweeping right-point breaks of Morocco. Their father fostered Ramzi’s potential and gifted the young surfer his first board, which quickly became his most prized possession. As his father proudly watched from his fishing boat, Boukhiam began honing his signature backhand style, which would later define his competitive edge.
After the devastating loss of his father, Boukhiam’s family relocated to the south of France. Despite the tragedy, Boukhiam remained steadfast in pursuing his surfing dreams, balancing rigorous training sessions in and out of the water with academic pursuits through a sport-etude program. Summers were dedicated to refining his skills, returning to the familiar waves of Morocco, and training with Laurent Miramont at Surfland in the coastal city of Oualidia.
Reflecting on those times in an interview with Morocco World News, Boukhiami recalls, “It was so hard leaving Morocco; I used to cry all the time and beg my mom to take us home. I just wanted to come back to Morocco; those were the best years in Agadir.” His passion for surfing provided solace and motivation, quickly propelling him onto the world stage with a victory at the 2012 European Junior Championships—a milestone that marked the beginning of a career spent ascending to the top of his sport over the next decade.
In 2022, just after qualifying as the first Moroccan on the Championship Tour, Boukhiam broke his ankle, abruptly halting the building momentum of his career. Denied an injury wildcard for the season, the surfer faced a daunting road to recovery. However, his competitive spirit refused to be subdued. “When I’m out there, I get into this mode, the lion comes out,” he told MWN.
The lion indeed would roar again. Reflecting on his determination, Boukhiam remarked, “I knew I needed it after the last year. I desperately wanted to make the Olympics, knowing it was in Tahiti; Puerto Rico was going to be my last chance.” With unwavering power of will, Boukhiam swiftly bounced back, making a triumphant return by securing silver and qualifying for the 2024 Olympics at the ISA World Surfing Games in Arecibo.
His mastery of big turns and barrels positions him well in his pursuit of gold. Demonstrating his prowess on the big waves at this year’s Tahiti Pro in Teahupo’o, Boukhiam beat renowned surfer Kelly Slater in the quarterfinals with an unforgettable 9.8 ride, ultimately securing third place.
Looking to the challenges ahead, Boukhiam shared his goals to achieve a top-10 global ranking and claim Olympic gold—a dream that holds immense cultural significance beyond his own personal achievements. “Winning gold would mean everything. I want to show the next generation that they can do it too. I’m just a boy from Agadir all I ever wanted was to surf.”
Boukhiam sees tremendous potential for surfing throughout Morocco. Highlighting the power of waves at Safi and identifying Anchor and Anza as potential venues for the tour, he added, “Not only do the waves have potential, but there is also so much talent to be found in Morocco.” While his focus remains on reaching the pinnacle of his sport, Boukhiam hopes to return to give back to his homeland and support the younger generation of surfers in fulfilling their dreams.
As Boukhiam pursues gold and success, he continues to embody the spirit of a Moroccan Lion—relentless in his resilience and tenacity to achieve his dreams. With each wave conquered and competition dominated by the talented surfer, the path is further paved for the future generation of Moroccan surfers to dream big and seize the boundless opportunities to be found in the realm of professional surfing.
