Hi Axelle, can you introduce yourself?
My name is Axelle, I’m 27 and I live in Paris (unfortunately). I work for a company that connects photographers and clients.
What’s your level? Where have you surfed before?
I started surfing a little over a year ago, unfortunately I don’t go out regularly enough to be able to get a good level and be completely autonomous in the water, but I try as much as possible to go back and forth to Holland to see friends and so enjoy surfing with them. I organize my weekend trips over 4 days to get the most out of it.
I’ve surfed in the Basque Country, the Landes, Pointe de la Torche, Île de Ré, and La Rochelle… mainly in France.
I’ve also traveled quite a bit thanks to my job, so I’ve been able to surf in Malibu (Los Angeles), Canggu (Bali), Ipanema (Rio de Janeiro). And I’ve just come back from a surf trip to Imsouane (Morocco).
You went surfing in Imsouane. Can you tell us a bit about your trip?
I wanted to take a break during the month of December to avoid the bad weather and the public transport strike, and also to put some distance between myself and the euphoria of Paris. So I went off on my own to Imsouane for 8 days. It was both to improve my surfing skills and focus on that, but also to take a step back from my current life, as a way of meditating. I stayed and took surf lessons with TravelsurfMorocco, which was great to meet people, great lessons and great surf spots. I also went surf guiding to test out other spots outside Imsouane.
Imsouane is just a wonderful little fishing village, it’s super pleasant, the people are friendly, and the waves are incredible, with beautiful straights and above all waves all the time, and that’s a real thrill. Imsouane is quieter and less touristy than Taghazout, there are more locals on the water, and you can hang out at the bay after a session to drink your mint tea, or eat a honey crepe or cheese omelette while chatting to the locals. Everything was great except that it’s really not clean, and surf camps really need to take the initiative and collect garbage – the more people who do this, the more impact it can have.
How long were you there?
8 days. I was there the first week of December, not many people in the water but jellyfish … they told me it was the first year there were so many jellyfish I got stung a few times, nothing dramatic.
What spots have you wrinkled?
Taghazoout, and Imsouane. Two spots: La baie and La cathédrale. La baie is mainly a longboard spot, but if you go to the peak it’s super clean, 1m20/50. La cathédrale is tougher 🙂 You see a lot of people in the water on shortboards.
How did you feel about surfing there?
Serenely
Is it busy? Can you tell us about the atmosphere at the line-up?
Crowded, but not that crowded, the locals still let you catch a minimum of waves, a smile and it’s good 😉
Boardshort or Combi?
In December, a 3.2 is enough, but if you’re extremely chilly, we’re thinking more along the lines of a 4.3.
Shortboard or Longboard?
Longboard
What’s your favorite thing to do in Le Mans (Spots, things to see, things to do, where to eat?), in short, what’s life like there?
Life there is calm and peaceful, unlike in Taghazout. You don’t go there to party, you eat great food, especially at Travelsurf with the chef.
Café momo in the morning to check out the cathedral spot
Restaurant at the bay
Tasra for small live concerts 🙂
An anecdote?
Don’t forget your slippers and gloves if the jellyfish are still around.
What’s your best surfing memory?
Catch my best and longest wave in Imsouane with a private lesson with Youssef from Travelsurf.
What’s your next surftrip?
Sri Lanka normally at the beginning of the year and I’m going to Taiwan for a week for work, so I’ll try to check out the nice spots there 🙂
In a nutshell, how would you sum up your experience? What advice would you give to a future Globetrotter?
Avoid tourist spots at all costs, choose the less busy periods otherwise you’ll be frustrated to see so many people in the water. I left just as the crowds were arriving.
