Okay, the time had come for another ‘new’ adventure...this time the sunny (hopefully) climes of Morocco to check out monster surf.  Andrew, Rob, Roy and I succumbed to the challenge!

Sunday 17 Jan

Andrew was ‘happy’ at the prospect of another early start.  But as ever, I wanted to be at the front of the queue at the airport.  Saves all the faffing etc.

Unfortunately the flight was delayed a tad which was a bit of a blow.  However, before you know it we were at the Agadir airport looking for some transport to the accommodation some miles away.  Andrew found two taxis and then mayhem ensued.  Likes flies round a honey pot or more like foreigners with money, the men appeared from no-where to help us (whether we asked or not) and promptly asked for a tip!!  Hmmmmmm.....  Boats loaded in a fashion, we were taken on some interesting roads to our accommodation.  Unfortunately the shower and toilet were minging, although the chaps who owned the place (Joe and Tom), who both made me look fat, seemed  cool enough.  We got on near the place ‘Hash Point’, don’t ask!, and were welcomed with messy surf.  Not a bad introduction.  Eat locally. Very cheaply.   No choice really and sleep....very well!

Mon 18 Jan

Down for breakfast.  Meet Jo and Burt for a proper chat about local surf.  ‘Anchors’ and ‘Mysteries’ was about a mile away so after some breakfast we paddled round.  This was BIG.  I mean really big, ie nearly treble overhead (a bit of surf talk there..o’er).  Therefore we paddled out to avoid these as death may have resulted and moved round a little.  Catching the waves it was like Portugal, but a little bigger.  Nice and clean actually and a bit intimidating!  It all appeared to die down and off we paddled out nice and slowly.  Then ‘incoming’ was heard and my goodness a huge wall (ok it looked huge) rose up and ‘maybe’ I nearly did a little poo and adopted the position.  The position is broadside onto the wave, dig in with a high brace (arm bent) and shout for your Mum!  This had worked before for me and again, this time it worked but wow did I get a slam in the shoulder from the force!  I surfed this baby in, albeit nearly taking Robs head off.  I admit to never being so scared about hitting someone than this.  On the positive side, I have never been so fast on a wave.............yeah baby yeah!  During this time, Roy was next to me, rolling and surfing.  Andrew was paddling out and went through three of these beauties!  Roy, Rob and I all gathered ourselves on the shore waiting for a suitable time to get on.  Andrew returned with a bloody nose and no goggles anymore.  They were ripped off with the force of the waves.  Big...........oh yes.  After this excitement, we paddled back round to the bay next to our accommodation and had some nice surf.  Meet up with an ex-pirate (small world and all that) who had a lovely surf ski which I had a go on.  It was very quick.  Lunch was had at the L’Auberge and consisted (As it did most days) with an omelette and coke etc.  Very cheap.

We got back on and the surf got even better!  Back to the apartment and poor Andrew seemed to be missing Blighty and started to sweep up........bless!

The chaps who owned the place said they would take us to Agadir tomorrow to go to a proper market  and have some authentic Moroccan food.

Tues 19 Jan

After breakfast, off to the Souk market to sample the local produce.  As soon as we entered, two young boys said they would show us round................yeah right!  Ten minutes later after we explained we did not need help, they went.  We sat down and had fish tagine (google it) in clay pots and small fish.  It was very nice apart for the bones!  It was hard to ignore the poverty in this country and also difficult to explain how it feels when lots of people ask you for money.  I guess it is a humbling experience and makes you (it certainly did me) feel extremely fortunate.  It really was ‘in your face’.  We all got used to it in a fashion I suppose and just tried to ignore it.

After a trip back via an old fort (or was it the other way round) we arrived back and surfed Hash Point.   It was dumpy and I rolled as did everyone else.  The lines of surf were so long.  They must have stretched about half a mile.  Quite a sight.  We met a surf kayaker (nice carbon surf kayak) and had a chat.  He was waiting for his friend to turn up (GB Team playboater) tomorrow.  More food (no alcohol) later and off to bed.  It was noted that Andrew may have been missing a drop of red wine...............not sure, but a distinct possibility!

Weds 20 Jan

Today we tried round the coast the other way, Panoramas and Banana Beach.  The waves were very slow and we were only just surfing the crests.  Bit of a shame really.  Moved to Hash Point, still nothing much and went back to our usual haunt.  Off for lunch and then a surf lesson back at base with Joe.  We were going to surf (not in kayaks) tomorrow.  I was looking forward to this!. Unfortunately the surf lesson did not materialise and so we got back on to the haunt and met up with Danny.  Danny was a tiny chap in a Wavesport Project 45 playboat.  Wow could he paddle!  Everything was soooo quick and effortless!!  Blunts, spins (over a wave through the air) appeared normal moves for this guy.  He even mixed it up with the surfers who I must say were all very cool about it.  They knew I think that he could handle himself, even amongst them.  The surf picked up and I was fortunate enough (probably lucky) to get a couple of spins on the clean with a lift-off.  Morocco was making sense.  The surf was very reliable.  Unfortunately Rob had tummy trouble today and could not paddle.  A downside of Morocco maybe?

Thurs 21 Jan

It was mine and Roy’s turn to have a dodgy tummy today and therefore we did not paddle.  Andrew and Rob paddled in front of the accommodation and I must say, I did not look reliable at all!  In the afternoon, we walked round to Anchor Point to witness the biggest waves I had ever seen being surfed.  Amazing.  The speed of the surfers was incredible.  How did they miss other surfers???  On the way back Andrew found some really nice accommodation for a future trip maybe??  In the evening we trawled through about 320 channels on the TV.  The only watchable thing was a film which Andrew had seen!!.  The tummy situation eased in the evening.  Phew’!!

Fri 22 Jan

Roy and I were raring to go.  Andrew was not and spent the day watching.  It was his turn on the tummy trouble.  Paddled Hash Point for some quick surf and in the afternoon went surfing.  Tried a longish board and after a while got the hang of it.  Sooooooo tiring, but when it worked and you got up, I CAN see the appeal!!  Andrew got better throughout the day and tonight we were going to eat at the most expensive place in town.  Less than fifty pounds for four persons including drinkies (non alcoholic) and tip.  Get in!  Medal of honour was played by Roy and Rob this evening and was funny to watch.  Last full day tomorrow..........

Sat 23 Jan

Breakfast done we all got on and had a great surf with some really green waves, superb!  Lunch at the L’Auberge and some Moroccan fighting just for good measure and a few police!  We were not the ones fighting by the way!  Did not last long as this is taken very seriously here.  Fuss over and Rob and Andrew got back on whilst Roy and I took a stroll around to Panoramas to watch the surfers and soak up the sun.  Did I mention it was sunny every day but one!?  Andrew and Rob caught up and we shopped for macaroons and a hat for Rob.  Walking back, I spotted a donkey with lots of bottles on his back and thinking it a good idea, snapped away with the camera.  Only then did I notice a rock being thrown at me by his owner!!  Shocked, I stopped and moved on.  May be the guy got the wrong idea...oops!  I certainly did not mean to offend.  That night we tested the kayaks on the roof of Joes car and packed for the journey home.  All in the accommodation went out together tonight and it was really nice to share stories etc.  Still no red wine though!

Sun 23 Jan

Up early and off to the airport where we waited an age to check in and were charged additionally by East Jet.  Funny how it was all fine in the UK!

Will we go back again? who knows.  Although the surf was reliable, Portugal is the better all round location we think.  It is also clean which helps a lot...........ask our stomachs!!

Neil