11/22/2021
6 Things To Know About The Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay
From Feb 18 – Feb 26 the the best Men & Women from Europe and Africa will kick off the 2023 competitive year with the first WSL QS 3000 in the dreamy right of Anchor Point, Taghazout Bay, Morocco.
Here are 6 things to know about the upcoming competition:
1.The history
Taghazout Bay will welcome the second edition of the Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay, a prestigious stop on the 2022-23 WSL Qualifying Series. The global pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2021 and 2022 installments but the WSL, Taghazout Bay and Rip Curl have kept working hand in hand to bring back this event as soon as it became possible to host a high-profile, high-quality professional surfing event both for the athletes and fans in Morocco.
2.Gender equality
In an effort to promote gender equality in surfing and promote women participation, the WSL and Rip Curl worked on adding a women’s division on this edition and equal prize money of $30,000 for each gender. Also, on Wednesday the 22th, Rip Curl Europe is organizing with the Association Anza Blue Waves, a Women Surfing day dedicated to all women surfers in Morocco.
3.The Wave
The Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay will take place in the infamous right hand point break of Anchor Point. The event's waiting period in February is absolutely ideal for swell and winds and could hopefully see the whole event unfold in classic Anchor Point conditions. Part of the African and European QS, perfect waves are not the only appeal for surfers heading to Morocco this winter.
Anchor Point Official Forecast
1.The history
Taghazout Bay will welcome the second edition of the Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay, a prestigious stop on the 2022-23 WSL Qualifying Series. The global pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2021 and 2022 installments but the WSL, Taghazout Bay and Rip Curl have kept working hand in hand to bring back this event as soon as it became possible to host a high-profile, high-quality professional surfing event both for the athletes and fans in Morocco.
2.Gender equality
In an effort to promote gender equality in surfing and promote women participation, the WSL and Rip Curl worked on adding a women’s division on this edition and equal prize money of $30,000 for each gender. Also, on Wednesday the 22th, Rip Curl Europe is organizing with the Association Anza Blue Waves, a Women Surfing day dedicated to all women surfers in Morocco.
3.The Wave
The Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay will take place in the infamous right hand point break of Anchor Point. The event's waiting period in February is absolutely ideal for swell and winds and could hopefully see the whole event unfold in classic Anchor Point conditions. Part of the African and European QS, perfect waves are not the only appeal for surfers heading to Morocco this winter.
Anchor Point Official Forecast
4. European GromSearch Final
Prior to the main show, Taghazout will also host the European Final of the Rip Curl GromSearch, 48 surfers from all over the Old Continent will battle in Under-16, Under-14 and Under-12 categories, both boys and girls for the titles. The Rip Curl GromSearch is a real hotbed of young talent, having uncovered future World Champions such as 8x World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 3x World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) and many more.
5.Inspiring the local next generations
The first QS in Europe will count with almost the full Rip Curl Europe squad including names like: Justin Becret, Anais Blanchard, Paco Alonzo ,Matthew Maurin-Lignière, Enoha Le Pieres representing France, Carla Morera, Kai & Hans Odriozola from Spain, Constancia Simoes and Matias Canhoto from Portugal, Janina Zeitler representing Germany, Lukas Skinner and Alys Barton from UK and the local wildcard from Morocco Abdel El Harrim.
On an effort of developing the local community, WSL and Rip Curl have announced the wildcards for the event inviting some of the best surfers of the country to keep developing the local talent and the sport in the African contienent. These are the wildcards: Abdel EL Harim, Redouane Regragui, Aboubakar Bouaouda, Lilias Tebbai.
6.Where to follow it
Rip Curl Europe will be posting live updates, photos, and videos from the competition on social media. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Don’t forget to use the official hashtag #TheSearch.
On RipCurl.com you will be able to travel to Morocco with daily updates on the competition and other stories beyond the event to showcase the rich local culture, food, waves, and people.
Prior to the main show, Taghazout will also host the European Final of the Rip Curl GromSearch, 48 surfers from all over the Old Continent will battle in Under-16, Under-14 and Under-12 categories, both boys and girls for the titles. The Rip Curl GromSearch is a real hotbed of young talent, having uncovered future World Champions such as 8x World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 3x World Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) and many more.
5.Inspiring the local next generations
The first QS in Europe will count with almost the full Rip Curl Europe squad including names like: Justin Becret, Anais Blanchard, Paco Alonzo ,Matthew Maurin-Lignière, Enoha Le Pieres representing France, Carla Morera, Kai & Hans Odriozola from Spain, Constancia Simoes and Matias Canhoto from Portugal, Janina Zeitler representing Germany, Lukas Skinner and Alys Barton from UK and the local wildcard from Morocco Abdel El Harrim.
On an effort of developing the local community, WSL and Rip Curl have announced the wildcards for the event inviting some of the best surfers of the country to keep developing the local talent and the sport in the African contienent. These are the wildcards: Abdel EL Harim, Redouane Regragui, Aboubakar Bouaouda, Lilias Tebbai.
6.Where to follow it
Rip Curl Europe will be posting live updates, photos, and videos from the competition on social media. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Don’t forget to use the official hashtag #TheSearch.
On RipCurl.com you will be able to travel to Morocco with daily updates on the competition and other stories beyond the event to showcase the rich local culture, food, waves, and people.
- Instagram : @ripcurl_europe
- Facebook : Rip Curl Europe
- Youtube : Rip Curl
- TikTok : @RipCurl
- Feb 16-17: GromSearch European Final
- Feb 18-26: Competition
- Feb 21: Rip Curl Movie Night