Moroccan surfer proud to represent the region at Abu Dhabi Pro. Ramzi Boukhiam, top Arab surfer, has towered over the region’s surfers since he was half their size, skilfully ducking the charging ocean swells.
Boukhiam has had this vision for a while – growing the sport he loves in this part of the world – and he knows exactly how he feels competing in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Pro, which is the first WSL Championship Tour event for the region.
The 31-year-old Moroccan national, competing in the tournament in Abu Dhabi from February 14 – 16 at Surf Abu Dhabi on Hudayriyat Island, said: “It will be fun to surf in Abu Dhabi.
The Moroccan, who hails from the coastal city of Agadir, believes that the sight of the 60 best surfers in the world doing their thing in Abu Dhabi this week can only inspire the region to take up a sport he has loved ever since he was a boy. The UAE capital is hosting the events in both male and female divisions.
Little did they know, one day we would compete in Abu Dhabi! Boukhiam — who has qualified for the last two Olympic Games and picked up a silver at the 2024 ISA World Surfing Games — says
I think that would be amazing, and even to promote surfing at that site in this part of the world would be really special”. Fingers crossed for a good event. You will definitely have it affecting surfing over there and get a lot of more eyes on the sport for people there”
WSL Championship Tour The World Surf League Championship Tour is the ultimate showcase of high-performance professional surfing and providing the event with its ideal host in the Middle East is Surf Abu Dhabi, which led to its creation in partnership with Kelly Slater.
Slater — an 11-time record WSL champ — is considered the greatest pro surfer of all time. Surf Abu Dhabi utilizes advanced technology from the Kelly Slater Wave Company to provide perfectly engineered waves that simulates the energy and excitement of ocean breaks – with the consistency and performance needed to challenge the world’s top surfers.
Surf Abu Dhabi’s Boukhiam, who says of the destination: “There are loads of guys from around there surfing there already since it opened. Which was nice, I met a few when I was there, so that’s going to continue to grow.
I think all these different pools getting built around the world are going to to get more people looking to surfing as a whole; because they are building pools in spot you never in your lifetime thought surfing was going to be. That is a good thing and I looking forward to the show. I will attempt to give it my all, and I am thrilled to be in Abu Dhabi.
The second stop on this season’s Championship Tour is the Abu Dhabi Pro, with the surfers finishing up competition at the Lexus Pipe Pro in Hawaii. As well as providing some of the greatest waves in the world, the action in Abu Dhabi gives everybody contending a to gain a place to fight it out for the World Title at the WSL Finals at the end of the season. Nevertheless, aside from the surfing, the Abu Dhabi Pro is also a festival with live music, local food and entertainment for the whole family, which means that your loved ones have a plan for this Valentine´s Day weekend as well.