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By Hajare El Khaldi
Rabat- Morocco will host its first Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) Windsurf World Cup March 27 — April 7, at the Moulay Bouzerktoun spot near Essaouira.
Following the success of the first two editions, the PWA Windsurf World Cup attained the stage of the International Windsurfing Tour (IWT), making it a major gathering for the greatest national and international athletes.
Over 100 professional windsurfers are expected to attend the event, aiming to determine who is the best of the best. The guestlist will include Moroccan champion Boujmaa Guilloul, who will also be presiding ambassador and organizer of the event.
“I have always dreamed of organizing an international event in Morocco. I was hoping someone would launch the project, but over time I realized that I would have to do it myself,” said the ex-windsurfer in an interview with Huffpost Maroc.
The country previously hosted the International Windsurf Tour in May 2016, but this year Essaouira will host three different competitions including the Women’s World Windsurfing Cup, and the Men’s World Cup.
“The competition will be very tough this year. The windsurfers will fight to win the trophy and the current reigning world champion, Spanish Iballa Moreno, will do everything she can to secure her spot,” said Guilloul.
Located 25 km outside of Essaouira, the Moulay Bouzerktoun windsurf center is a favorite destination among surfers worldwide. “Essaouira is known to offer optimal surfing conditions at this time of the year, with consistent winds and interesting swells for those who like to challenge the forces of nature,” declared the champion.
The Moulay Bouzerktoun wavespot, introduced in 2007, is totally dedicated to windsurfing, with equipment provided by the international sailmakers Fanatic and North Sails.
The 33-year-old rider is the only Moroccan to win the International Windsurf Tour in 2016, and was also a finalist in 2017, and the current record-holder of the highest jump (20 meters) since 2012.
“I hope that this big competition will give young people a chance to get involved and encourage the government to invest in windsurfing. Creating clubs and organizing activities grants youth more easy access this sport,” he concluded.
