MOROCCO INSTRUCTOR COURSE USEFUL INFORMATION
Taghazout
Taghazout is a small fishing village in the south of Morocco. During the 60’s there were prolific numbers of hippies from Europe and North America (Jimi Hendrix would apparently frequent in the 60’s) and surfers started arriving in the 1980’s searching for uncrowded waves. Despite the influx of surf tourism, Taghazout has still managed to keep its small town feel. There are a handful of restaurants scattered along the main street and some beautifully located cafes to enjoy a coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice on the sea front. There are plenty of little grocery shops to buy supplies all within walking distance of your apartments.
The Local Area
As you will probably have guessed, Taghazout and the local area is renowned for its waves. Within a 15 minute drive there are over 10 amazing point breaks and dozens of beaches which make it the perfect place to learn. If you have a minute look up some of the following spot names online and you will see what we mean:
Killers, Anchors, Banana point, Panoramas, Boilers, Tamri, Immesouane, Tifnit, Desert point, Crocadiles, Mysteries, La Source....
Page 1 ACCOMMODATION
The Surf Berbere Surf Camp
During the 12 week course you will either stay in the surf camp on Hash Point, or in a hotel 50 yards behind the surf camp. Everyone on the 12 week course will be in a twin room sharing with one other person, we’ll keep it same sex throughout.
The surf camp is right on the water’s edge on Hash Point, and it is here where we all live, eat and socialise every evening.
On average we have 10 - 25 guests come through the camp each week for a week long surfing holiday so you’ll have a chance to meet loads of people from all backgrounds and nationalities. In general, you won’t be surfing with the surf camp guests during the day as you are on a specialised program, however you will meet them all each evening when we all sit down for dinner and drinks.
FOOD
We run the Cafe KR restaurant just 50 yards from the surf camp. Each morning there is a buffet of cereals, eggs, fresh seasonal fruits and pancakes.
Lunches are normally packed up and taken with you to the breaks so as to avoid having to come back in the middle of a great surf session. They normally consist of sandwiches or salads with some snacks to keep you fuelled up for the day.
Dinners are served up on the surf camp roof terrace, one of the most spectacular spots to eat in Morocco or even the world, there are some pictures below.
Page 2 MOROCCO GENERAL INFO
Airport Pickup
Our driver will greet you at Agadir airport with a Surf Berbere sign. Pleas ensure to send your arrival info to James in advance of coming out.
Clothing For Females
Although Morocco is a Muslim country, Taghazout is a very liberal place. Women are free to walk around the beaches in bikinis and swimsuits however it would be seen to be a little disrespectful to walk around town in the same attire. If you are walking around town, maybe just put a T-shirt and shorts/skirt on so a little less flesh is shown.
Weather
Taghazout enjoys 330 days of sunshine a year. The wet season is from December – February however this is of course relative. It’s rare to have more than a few days of rain at once and most of the time it clears up through out the day. The average temp during the course should be around 20ºc - 30ºc in the day. It can get a little cooler at night so please bring some warmer clothes for the evenings.
TIFNIT SURF TRIP
Possibly one of the best days of my life! What a “ place!! !
- Luke ”
Page 3 COURSE PAYMENT
Please ensure your full balance is paid 1 month before arrival as we won’t be able to arrange it once you are out here and thus you may not be able to participate in the course.
MONEY
The currency in Morocco is Moroccan Dirhams. It is a closed currency so it’s very difficult to get Dirhams before you arrive. There are ATMs at the airport and lots of places to change money in Agadir also. Traveller’s cheques are generally not accepted in Morocco. There is no ATM in Taghazout itself, however there is one in the next town down (Banana Village) which is about 10km away. Credit cards have not really made their way to Taghazout yet so most transactions in town are cash.
BUDGET
Everything you need is included in the price of your course so you shouldn’t need too much money to spend each month. Budget for around £20 - £50 a week.
INSURANCE
You MUST get travel insurance. This is not too expensive and can be purchased from any number of well known insurance companies. Insureandgo.com is recommended. Make sure surfing is covered in your policy. Please also ensure that your insurance is for a 90 day trip (some are only 30 days)
CLOTHING
For the most part, all you will need are boardies, pants and some flip flops. However, it does get cold in the evenings, so we’d recommend you bring out a hoody and maybe a jacket. This will also come in useful for the desert trip. !
Page 4 INTERNET / WIFI
There is limited internet in your rooms, but definitely wifi internet in the office, cafe and on the roof terrace. Some devices will be able to pick up the signal from the rooms. The wifi is free to use any time. If in need of a higher speed reliable connection, please enquire, there are 4G dongles available.
COURSE DATES
The course will officially start on 10th of September, 2016 through until the 3rd of December 2016. You are welcome out a couple of days before or after free of charge (within reason), however see VISAs below.
VISAS
Most nationalities are given a 90 day visa at the airport in Morocco which you don’t need to arrange prior to arrival. Some countries have different arrangements so we recommend you check with your embassy. If you need to extend your VISA, this can be done at the police station once you are out here.
ALCOHOL
Taghazout is a dry town which means you can’t buy alcohol in the shops, cafes or restaurants. However you can drink alcohol in your apartment, on your terraces and the rooftop of the surf camp. Alcohol can be bought in Agadir from the supermarkets and prices are just a bit higher to those found in Europe.
ADDRESS WHILST IN MOROCCO
Surf Berbere, Hash Point, Taghazout, Morocco
If you need any post sent, we recommend getting in touch with James to see if he can bring something out with him. Note that the Moroccan mail services are not that reliable.
Page 5 TRIPS AROUND MOROCCO
Marrakech
We’ll spend a night in Marrakech taking in the sights and sounds of Morocco’s most exciting city. Try your hand at a little haggling, stare in awe at the street entertainment and indulge yourself in the food stands of Jmena El Fna.
Immesoune
One of the best longboarder breaks in the world – a perfect place to perfect your pop up and turns.
Paradise Valley
Full of natural pools, waterfalls and lush greenery, Paradise Valley is one of Surf Berbere’s favourite non-surfing excursions.
Sidi Ifni & The South
We’ll be taking you down to the quiet village of Sidi Ifni to surf some truly perfect and undiscovered waves.
The Sahara Desert
From Marrakech, we’ll take you on a Camel caravan ride into the desert, where we’ll spend the night under the desert stars. Then come back via the beautiful town of Zagora.
Page 6 YOUR TEAM
David
12 week course co-ordinator and host. David is an accomplished surfer with experience of some of the best spots all over the world.
David will be your first port of call should you have any questions or issues throughout the 12 weeks. He is going to be working with local instructor Wail as your day to day coach. !
James
The founder of Surf Berbere, he is the man to go to if you have any problems or need to discuss something.
He is based in the UK, but always available on [email protected]. ! !
Nick
The assessor! Nick is a former European Iron Man, founder of Nick Thorn Surf Academy down in Woolacombe. He has been running our 12 week course assessments for Surf Berbere over the last few years.
He is Surfing GB level 4 and qualified SLS lifeguard assessor. He will be working with George Sohl to coordinate your assessments for both the surfing qualification and your SLS lifeguarding.
Page 7 Page 8 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Anyone can spend 12 weeks on a beach, having a party and learning to surf. We at Surf Berbere believe in sustainable and responsible tourism. Since Surf Berbere’s inception we have always worked closely with the local community helping the locals in business, providing educational and sport equipment for the local children, and setting up charities and associations. ! ! ! !
The Aftas Association is an educational association Surf Berbere is heavily involved with. Below are some of the events you can be involved with over the 12 weeks. !
• Student day trip to Taroudant / Essaouirra
• Cooking class day with local Nablous school
• Beach activity weekend
• Beach cleanup in the morning
• Local kids surf competition
• Beach party with bonfire and local musicians.
• Fundraising for books !
Page 9 VIDEO FOOTAGE
Throughout the course we’ll be taking video footage of your surfing (normally once a week) to use in our coaching sessions, but also for our blogs and newsletters. We’ll also occasionally ask you for short video diary entries and blogs to post up on our website and social media accounts.
PRE COURSE FITNESS
Surfing is a difficult sport and requires a lot of motivation and hard work. Our instructors will be able to help you all the way so long as you’re happy to put the effort in too. You don’t have to be in incredible shape, but a certain level of fitness will help.
Before the course starts, try to be able to run for 2km without too much trouble, and try to swim 400 metres in 10 minutes. These aren’t requisites to pass, but it will certainly help your surfing!
GETTING IN A ROUTINE
Naturally the daily routine will change depending on conditions, trips to other areas of Morocco, special events etc, however, the next page goes some way to outlining what a normal day on the course might look like. !
Page 10 THE DAILY ROUTINE
Morning 5 MINUTE RULE = 8:00-9:00am Buffet breaky at CafeKR “ IF YOU ARE LATE, 9:00am Head out surfing WE SURF WITHOUT
10:00 am Surf lessons YOU!
12:00pm Packed lunch at the beach Afternoon ” 1:00pm More surf lessons, practice, one on one time with the instructors possibly heading to other spots depending on conditions, OR afternoon activity (French lessons, teaching English, sightseeing)
5:00pm Return to the camp
7:00pm Dinner on camp terrace
Page 11 CODE OF CONDUCT
We take the matter of the behaviour of our clients as guests within another country’s community as very important. Likewise, the decent behaviour of our clients towards each other is vital for the fun and benefit that each person gains from their season in the mountains.
We intend that you will have a brilliant time whilst on our course but being part of a large group and living in close quarters with each other means that inappropriate / anti social behaviour by one person can create an unpleasant experience for others.
Everyone is expected to be as tolerant as possible but if you are concerned by someone’s behaviour it is your responsibility first to speak to the person who is bothering you. If you are unable to solve a problem amongst yourselves, your course director will be available to help mediate.
You are required to be considerate and respectful to others while with us in Morocco. Breaking the law whilst on a Surf Berbere course will not be tolerated and could result in being thrown off the course.
Examples of the type of unacceptable behaviour that could result in you being thrown off the course include:
• Any criminal activity
• Excessive deliberate damage to property
• Physical violence towards anyone whether a member of the local community or a fellow course member
• Use of illegal substances
• Repeated verbal abuse towards anyone
• Theft
• Poor health – if your course director has any concerns about the state of your mental or physical health that could threaten your safety or the safety of others you will be asked to return home
• Excessive drunkenness that is threatening to you or to others may result in you being asked to leave.
Page 12 NEXT STEPS
We’ll be in touch shortly to set up a facebook group and get you all in touch with the other people on the course. “NOTHING TO SAY Feel free to drop us a line at any OTHER THAN IT’S time with any questions you may have. BEEN AWESOME
In the meantime, check out our AND I AM GUTTED facebook page: IT IS OVER! www.facebook.com/ SurfBerbereSurfCamps - Lucy ! ” !
Page 13 KEEP UPDATED
The best source of information on courses and programs that we are running is our website; www.surfberbere.com. We actively update our Facebook page and Instagram account, and if you read our blog, you can keep abreast of all our Taghazout news.
YOUR CONTACT AT SURF BERBERE
If you have any questions relating to anything outlined in this document or would like further information, please get in touch with James Bailey: [email protected]
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