SURFGIRLS, INTERVIEW
How to change life just in 12 months?
An interview with Sabine - co-manager of a surf camp in Morocco
A surfgirl Sabine left her hometown in France to move to Morocco following her love for a Moroccan surfer. Her life has completely changed in just 12 months. She lives now in Morocco, works as a co-manager in her own surf camp / surf school Magic Surf Morocco, she practices surf and yoga almost every day. In this interview Sabine shares her experience with us.
- What is surfing for you? What does it make you feel, what emotions does it awaken?
Surfing is a way of life: the love for the oceans, the sun, the beaches, the people. It's a way of feeling free, whilst challenging your body in fitness. Surfing also made me discover yoga and both combine is just a fabulous feeling of freedom and wellbeing. It allows me to forget about the every day "problems" and to address issues in a different way. Surfing made me want to be better in all perspective of my life: be healthier, be a better person, be patient, be attentive to my inner self and body.
- What did you know about surfing before you started ?
Not far from absolutely nothing!
- How and when did you start surfing?
First time I tried surfing, I remember it was in Hossegor in France, at the end of the winter so must have been round April - May time. Got there after a winter season in the Alps to find work for summer season. Find a room with some local surfers. They lent me a short board and I went off with 0 surfing experience. That was the worst idea ever! First wave (a big one) and got the washing machine treatment… Had to go back to the shore to take my breath back and thank God I didn't drown here in there! I will advise to everyone to get surfing lessons before even thinking about heading to the water with a surfboard.
Surfing is a way of life: the love for the oceans, the sun, the beaches, the people. It's a way of feeling free, whilst challenging your body in fitness. Surfing also made me discover yoga and both combine is just a fabulous feeling of freedom and wellbeing. It allows me to forget about the every day "problems" and to address issues in a different way. Surfing made me want to be better in all perspective of my life: be healthier, be a better person, be patient, be attentive to my inner self and body.
- What did you know about surfing before you started ?
Not far from absolutely nothing!
- How and when did you start surfing?
First time I tried surfing, I remember it was in Hossegor in France, at the end of the winter so must have been round April - May time. Got there after a winter season in the Alps to find work for summer season. Find a room with some local surfers. They lent me a short board and I went off with 0 surfing experience. That was the worst idea ever! First wave (a big one) and got the washing machine treatment… Had to go back to the shore to take my breath back and thank God I didn't drown here in there! I will advise to everyone to get surfing lessons before even thinking about heading to the water with a surfboard.
Surfing is a way of life: the love for the oceans, the sun, the beaches, the people. It's a way of feeling free, whilst challenging your body in fitness.
A Moroccan wave
- What was the most difficult for you when you were learning?
Any advice for beginners? The hardest for me was, and still is the paddling. You need to be fit and have good arms and core. Yoga and fitness definitely help with that, so get at it! I have actually put on our youtube channel some yoga and fitness stuff to help everybody be fitter. And it goes for everyone..... Not just the desire to be a surfer.
Advise for beginners will be to get lessons, to get fit, to be consistent and their will to learn to surf cause at moments it could be frustrating... But if the teachers are good then it makes everything so much easier. Then it is up to you to want it bad enough so you persist until it'll all become natural, like riding a bike!
- Do you have any fears ? How do you overcome them?
I think my biggest fear is not to be able to come back up after taking a set on the head... How do I overcome that: focus and concentrate on my breathing, stay calm and try to anticipate what is coming so I'm ready mentally and physically. The practice of yoga really helps with all of these aspects.
Any advice for beginners? The hardest for me was, and still is the paddling. You need to be fit and have good arms and core. Yoga and fitness definitely help with that, so get at it! I have actually put on our youtube channel some yoga and fitness stuff to help everybody be fitter. And it goes for everyone..... Not just the desire to be a surfer.
Advise for beginners will be to get lessons, to get fit, to be consistent and their will to learn to surf cause at moments it could be frustrating... But if the teachers are good then it makes everything so much easier. Then it is up to you to want it bad enough so you persist until it'll all become natural, like riding a bike!
- Do you have any fears ? How do you overcome them?
I think my biggest fear is not to be able to come back up after taking a set on the head... How do I overcome that: focus and concentrate on my breathing, stay calm and try to anticipate what is coming so I'm ready mentally and physically. The practice of yoga really helps with all of these aspects.
You need to be fit and have good arms and core. Yoga and fitness definitely help with that, so get at it!.
- How is life in Morocco?
is it not too different from the life you had in France? Life in Morocco is great, different than Western Europe life in general for sure. Here you learn to live with a lot less, you become less materialistic. You don't need the high power job, the last Iphone or a SUV or even the big expensive house.
You have what you have. Your job is what it is, and life is good, simple. The worries are the same I guess, get money to eat and pay the bills but in the different way.
is it not too different from the life you had in France? Life in Morocco is great, different than Western Europe life in general for sure. Here you learn to live with a lot less, you become less materialistic. You don't need the high power job, the last Iphone or a SUV or even the big expensive house.
You have what you have. Your job is what it is, and life is good, simple. The worries are the same I guess, get money to eat and pay the bills but in the different way.
- How did you start your surf school and surf camp?
Simple, came here for holidays, met Zakariya fell in love, decide to have a business (Surf camp / surf school called Magic Surf Morocco) and that I would move here. All of this in 12 months.
Simple, came here for holidays, met Zakariya fell in love, decide to have a business (Surf camp / surf school called Magic Surf Morocco) and that I would move here. All of this in 12 months.
Sabine and Zak
Life in Morocco is great, different than Western Europe life in general for sure. Here you learn to live with a lot less, you become less materialistic.
- What is your favourite part about working in your surf camp / surf school?
I work mainly in the office; my Mac is my best friend. But the days on the beach and meeting new people are what I like the most.
- What is the most difficult thing when running a surf school in your area?
In our area, Tamraght / Tagazhout, there are many surf camps, some started here many years ago, I think the oldest started here about 14 years ago. Since then many have been created. So the most difficult is to find the clients or operators that are not already working with someone else. I'm not worried about the rest. We have really nice accommodation.
Zakariya is an awesome surf instructor that loves to share is passion for surfing, our guests just love him, and he is patient and fun to be around. Food is great, surfing is fabulous whatever you are learning or are confirmed surfer. So yeah the hardest is actually when we do not have clients.
I work mainly in the office; my Mac is my best friend. But the days on the beach and meeting new people are what I like the most.
- What is the most difficult thing when running a surf school in your area?
In our area, Tamraght / Tagazhout, there are many surf camps, some started here many years ago, I think the oldest started here about 14 years ago. Since then many have been created. So the most difficult is to find the clients or operators that are not already working with someone else. I'm not worried about the rest. We have really nice accommodation.
Zakariya is an awesome surf instructor that loves to share is passion for surfing, our guests just love him, and he is patient and fun to be around. Food is great, surfing is fabulous whatever you are learning or are confirmed surfer. So yeah the hardest is actually when we do not have clients.
Zak surfing
- What is special about your surf school?What projects do you have or development plans?
Our only aim is to make sure our guests are happy and have a fab time in the water and out of the water. Check our tripadvisor!
Yes Zak and I have many ideas to develop, but if you don't mind we'll keep them to ourselves for now! So keep following us to stay informed!
Our only aim is to make sure our guests are happy and have a fab time in the water and out of the water. Check our tripadvisor!
Yes Zak and I have many ideas to develop, but if you don't mind we'll keep them to ourselves for now! So keep following us to stay informed!
- Do you see the difference between male and female surfing?
There are more men than women in the water. A part from that no, not really.
- Do you know any pro-surfer girls in Morocco?
To my knowledge, no. But they are very good Moroccan surf girls here, for sure.
- Who is your role model in surfing? Are you inspired by any sirfgirl?
Kassia Meador. Love her. Longboarder, model, photographer, wetsuit designer. And she is beautiful. Inspired by Bethany Hamilton and her will for life and surfing. She is a survivor.
- Have you heard anything about Russian surfing and surfers ?
I'm afraid to say no. But I'd love to! I'm curious to know and learn new things.
- What's you favorite surf song?
Gosh, they are so many; I wouldn't know which one to pick! But if you go to our youtube channel, in our play lists, we have tunes we like along with the fitness, yoga and surf movies! I try to go there regularly and put stuff up for everyone.
There are more men than women in the water. A part from that no, not really.
- Do you know any pro-surfer girls in Morocco?
To my knowledge, no. But they are very good Moroccan surf girls here, for sure.
- Who is your role model in surfing? Are you inspired by any sirfgirl?
Kassia Meador. Love her. Longboarder, model, photographer, wetsuit designer. And she is beautiful. Inspired by Bethany Hamilton and her will for life and surfing. She is a survivor.
- Have you heard anything about Russian surfing and surfers ?
I'm afraid to say no. But I'd love to! I'm curious to know and learn new things.
- What's you favorite surf song?
Gosh, they are so many; I wouldn't know which one to pick! But if you go to our youtube channel, in our play lists, we have tunes we like along with the fitness, yoga and surf movies! I try to go there regularly and put stuff up for everyone.
Credits
Interview: Anastasia Karpenko
Photos: Magic Surf Marocco, Sabine
Interview: Anastasia Karpenko
Photos: Magic Surf Marocco, Sabine
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