The first ever American Windsurfing Tour (AWT) event in Morocco and at the same time first AWT event of the 2016 season saw excellent wind conditions and good waves for jumping and riding. Boujmaa’s local knowledge and his high skills paid off and he won the event in front of Morgan Noireaux and Kevin Pritchard. In the ladies pro fleet Canadian Ingrid Larouche won the competition defeating Italian Anna-Maria Zollet.

We hooked up with the winner and event organizer Boujmaa Guilloul to speak about the event. More statements and the result by following this link: AWT Morocco 2016 – Result & Statements

Boujmaa Guilloul - Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

Boujmaa Guilloul – Pic: Continentseven/Kerstin Reiger

 

Interview Boujmaa Guilloul

Continentseven: Congrats Boujmaa. You organized your first international wave event at your home spot and you won. How does this feel?
Boujmaa Guilloul: I am so happy things went the way they did. I was so stressed about everything and I didn’t know what to expect, to be honest. I did expect the worst, very relieved it was one of the best experiences of my life. I learned a lot and I am very content with the outcome. We had decent conditions and great talented riders, very mellow atmosphere and great support from all aspect. So I am very proud of what just happened in Essaouira and Moulay Bouzerktoune.

Continentseven: How was the reaction of the locals, friends and sponsors?
Boujmaa Guilloul: The locals were very happy with an event at their playgrounds. They were stoked to see so much action in the water and good vibes in the village, so were the sponsors. They were keen on supporting such an event and pushing more than what they can do to help having the event and for it to be a success. And so the friends were all over the place helping with anything they could do.

Continentseven: You told us once a few months ago, that you aren’t sure if it will take place. What are the difficulties organizing a windsurfing event in Morocco?
Boujmaa Guilloul: First, it is always a financial issue. Are we able to cover the expenses for a brand new event at home? What happens if things go wrong? What happens if it’s not what we expect. The people and the government are always concerned about anything new that has not been happening. So they are like why an American tour stop here in Morocco? At the end when we get people who believe in such a project, organizing became easy and we found motivation to keep moving forward and do everything to succeed with the event.

Boujmaa Guilloul Tabletop one handed

Boujmaa Guilloul Tabletop one handed

Boujmaa Guilloul on organizer duties

Boujmaa Guilloul organizer duties

Continentseven: How does it feel to share your home spot with some other world class riders?
Boujmaa Guilloul: I always wished to share the local breaks with everyone on tour, AWT or PWA. I always like it when I get visitors from the tour on my home spot and always have fun with them. It is a great opportunity for the other local kids to see high level windsurfing at their home spot and to keep them pushing their limits to the next level.

Continentseven: How did you manage to be on top of the podium in the end against Morgan and Kevin?
Boujmaa Guilloul: Well I couldn’t believe I won again such great talented and experienced windsurfers, but I guess it might be also because of the hours I have spent in the water sailing Moulay Bouzerktoune and having so much fun there. I think I just relieved everything. I just went to the water and had fun.

Continentseven: A few words about the conditions?
Boujmaa Guilloul: The wind blew very strong those days and I always loved it when it’s strong in Moulay Bouzerktoune. And the level was very high. I am really happy things went the way they did.

Continentseven: Will you take part in the PWA tour this year? You weren’t allowed to compete last season due to the rules as you joined other international events.
Boujmaa Guilloul: I don’t know yet. I need to work more in the center back home and see what will happen in the future if I can squeeze in an event in between my work and attend a PWA stop, maybe in France, if I get the chance to take part in it.

©Continentseven 2016

 

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