Eight Years Later from Tamraght, Morocco

Where I first learned to surf

I spent a month and a half in Morocco in 2018. This was an incredibly special time – it was where I first really learned to surf. Thinking about this trip still brings me so much joy. I was in my last year medical school, and on the day that I flew out from Boston, there was still snow on the ground. I had some semblance of a plan – first spend a week in surf camp, then practice for the rest of my time there by myself. I couldn't have even imagined the people that I would meet.

Below are pictures that I took, which remain some of my favorite images. These were all taken by phone. At the time I didn't own a camera. I personally love these pictures, because I was so fully there. I remember not worrying about money, who I needed to be, or any milestones to hit. It was where I found out that I love photographing people.

I started off this surf camp with a group of women from England and France. I got really lucky - we were all the same age and just starting surfing. We would go for a session in the morning and in our downtime follow the main road through town to Devil’s Rock. Tamraght has undergone a lot of development, but at that time it was comprised of a few shops, a hammam, and a small compound for European retirees.

Our favorite group instructor was named Cereal. She was a Moroccan native and a very talented longboarder. She also took us to great places to eat. I remember countless times that we had tajine and a never-ending cups of mint tea (all with a high pour). I had traveled with my family before before, but not like this. Our worlds were expanded with meeting new people all the time, and I loved that surf was what we all had in common.

Afterwards I stayed in a hostel and went to one of the local surf shops at Tamraght beach. This is where I met other friends, including one who later also visited me in South Africa. We would gather on the patio of the surf shop, or when it rained we stayed inside and played music. One of the shop owners was named Tarik Elbassity, who is a championship Moroccan longboarder. Every day there were Moroccan surfers who also came by to say hi to the owners including Tarik.

During this time, I did get a lot better from practicing in the ocean regularly. Especially as a beginner, it was so good to get out even in less than ideal conditions and just take white wash then. Then I also really felt like I earned the tajine afterwards. Plus, I just enjoyed meeting new surfers all the time, who I think are still some of the most fun subjects to photograph.

I couldn’t help but smile when I went through these photos again. It feels like another lifetime but also something that has really influenced how I got to California. I'll see you back there with a longboard and camera soon enough :)