ATLAS | A surf movie by Bear Surfboards

Surfing has improved the lives of many people in Morocco but unfortunately there are also some negative implications hidden in the shadow of world famous waves.

Surf tourism can be good or bad, depending on how it is handled. Atlas collects testimonies of people sharing very diverse views on the matter. All opinions will help to increase the awareness of those like us, surfers and travelers, fell in love with Morocco.

[rzadigi]

What an interesting and provoking piece that contrasts opposing views to surf travel. I traveled to Taghazout about twenty years ago and could see the impact surf tourism was just starting to have. I met some locals who found me an apartment to rent and others pushing weed at outrageous prices. There was a seedy repressed vibe and women were hardly seen. Most of the locals seemed to want to take advantage of us while foreigners were doing the same; moving in to capitalize on the surf boom.
In many surf destinations around the world the locals become the servants of the rich travelers and growth happens too fast to be sustainable. The profits made don’t stay in the local economy and the locals get priced out of their neighborhoods. Much respect to Azar for trying to preserve local customs and traditions. The world is becoming a smaller place and less interesting each year. If people and communities don’t make efforts to protect their unique heritage then it will replaced with western lifestyles and values.

[HiloBoiz]

Surf trip to Morocco 1978.Surfed Bouznika mostly and Mohammedia beach break. Married a French Moroccan woman in met on that trip and ended up spending a lot of time surfing Morocco. Rabat Casa and Anchor point area. Back in the day Taghozout was a rough town. Absolutely love Morocco! Stayed with a French surfer who had a small place at Anchor point, his name was Speedo. Cant believe how crowded the surf is now!!!Also got down to Aglou south of Agadir.

[MK-sueg]

Keep surfing, the DUKE K is smiling down on you and blessing all surfers! Aloha from westside Oahu Hawaii.

[Tjinguru]

Hey thanks for this. Thanks for showing some respect to Moroccan culture and tradition.

[barretthegerle]

Beautiful movie. As a life-long surfer who is planning to retire in Portugal, I am stoked to have Morocco as a place to hunt waves and enjoy the people and the culture....just as I have done in Baja and many other countries.

[thomassawicki]

I proudly ride a Bear longboard made by Toughlite, shape by Randy Rarick, I bought it around 20 years ago.
I also had a custom 7'10'' shaped by Bear Mirandon on the North Shore of Oahu in 1972.
He was not related to Bear brand, he was called Bear.
I remember he told me to reach as high as I could without jumping and it was 7'10'' so he shaped me a 7'10'' semi-gun for my first Hawaii board.

[hayleecs]

thanks for this nice blend of surf and travel, I could watch hours of this!

[jordanben]

THIS IS VERY PERFECT WELCOME TO MY CITY OF MORROCO SURFING

[TheORiMIRO]

Surf tourism is good at the beginning (Money for people who don't have, cool vibes in the water) then BAD to very BAD... Look Bali. Too much people on a spot, pollution, poor people living on a land for generation getting expulsed for big Hotel company.... Surf tourism is disgusting these days... 🤙🏽

[legallojeanloup]

Salam Youssef à bientôt en février Aloha khouya, ☀️🤙