Co-Founder Mehdi: From Moroccan surf champion to Surf Retreat Host in Taghazout

My story: how my life changed from being a full-time surf athlete to hosting surf retreats and finding freedom again

Mehdi always smiling

A different kind of childhood

By getting to know Roos, I realized how different our childhoods were. Growing up in Morocco hasn’t always been easy for me. My father passed away in a car accident just 30 days after I was born, he died while trying to save someone else’s life. He was a respected officer in Agadir, and his loss left a deep scar on my mother, my brother, and me.

Life wasn’t easy after that. But despite the struggles, I found peace and calmness in the ocean.

Discovering surfing

I started surfing when I was about five years old. Surfing in Taghazout back then was nothing like it is today. My oldest cousin, Jamal, was the first local surfer here, he ran the only surf shop in town. I used to steal his boards, run straight to the beach, and jump into the waves. Growing up in a small coastal village and being able to surf every day truly shaped who I am today. Surfing made my life, and my life was made for surfing. It gave me peace, freedom, and happiness, also on the harder days.

Mehdi surfing the small waves last winter

From local kid to pro surfer

When I was 14 years old, I got scouted by the Moroccan Surf Federation to train as a professional surf coach. I moved to Casablanca to join the national team, and from then on, my life was all about chasing waves. I was traveling across Morocco, waking up at 6 a.m., training nonstop, and following a strict routine, no weekends, no holidays, no phone calls to my mom. It was tough, but I loved it.

The wave that changed everything

Then one day, everything changed. The swell was huge, and I was training at my home break, top 5 surfspot: Anchor Point. The tide was coming in, and my coach told me to leave the water. But I said, “Just one more wave.” Every surfer knows that that “one more wave” is never gonna come. I took off on a massive wave, around four meters high, lost my balance, and crashed hard onto the rocks. I remember waking up, seeing my arm completely out of place… and then blacking out.

I woke up four days later from a coma. My neck, back, leg, shoulder, and hand were broken. The doctors said I was lucky to be alive. I couldn’t walk for a year. That accident ended my professional surf career, no more WSL, no more competitions. The federation offered to pay for surgery so I could return to surfing professionally, but after spending two years in Moroccan hospitals during COVID, alone and mentally exhausted, I wasn’t ready to go through that again. I decided to live with my injuries, as long as I could still walk and surf small waves.

Happy Mehdi

A new chapter in Taghazout

During my recovery, I started working at my cousin’s hostel in Taghazout. It turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. I finally had freedom again, meeting people from all over the world, laughing every day, and living like an 18-year-old should. And that’s where I met Roos. From the first moment, we clicked. I loved her positive, carefree energy and outlook on life. We talked endlessly the entire time she was here. I hoped she would come back, and luckily, she did.

Sometimes I think about it: if I hadn’t had that accident, I would still be in the federation. I would have never met Roos or built the life I have now. Life really does close one door just to open a thousand windows.

Me and Roos buidling On The Wayve

Building On The Wayve

Today, Roos and I run On The Wayve Surf & Yoga Retreats in my hometown, Taghazout.

I love showing people around this special place, the beaches, the local culture, the hidden gems. Surfing made me who I am, and now I get to share that love and passion with others.

The surf coach in me is still very much alive, I’ll make sure you get the best surf tips, build confidence, and make real progress during your time with us. But above all, I want you to fall in love with Morocco and surfing, just like I did.

Over the years, I’ve made friends from all over the world. I know that if I ever visit Europe, I’ll have a place to stay in every country, because that’s what surfing gives you: connection.

Everything happens for a reason

Life has been a wild ride, but I’m grateful for the calm I’ve found with Roos, and for the chance to build our dream business together. Every day, I get to look at the ocean, surf the waves, and meet incredible people from around the world. And I’m thankful for that, always.

Thank you for reading my story. I can’t wait to meet you here in Taghazout and share an unforgettable surf week together!

– Mehdi