Dahkla Festival 2011

The eventposter of the Dakhla festival 2011.

The Dakhla Festival 2011 Riderslist.

The concept of the event:
“Dakhla, with its open bay on the Atlantic has become in recent years, one of the most famous spots in the world of watersports. For the 5th consecutive year, amateur and professional of windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing and stand up paddling disciplines will meet again on a festival that intelligently mix sport and culture. Action, sport, music, sharing good moments and discovery are the key words of this dynamic festival”, the organiser Steve Palier explains.

The spot:
Crossroads between sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and Europe, Dakhla offers the perfect playground for all the practices of boardsports. On the inside in the huge lagoon there is the ideal spot for “full speed” runs on  a windsurfboard. It will be the scene of the Long Distance. On the sea side, the Foum Labouir spot offers a perfect arena ideal for radical wavesailing. A nice righthander can break in perfect lines!

Disciplines
This year, if the wind is up, the bay of Dakhla will see windsurfers and kitesurfers compete in a long distance race of more than 37 miles! Meanwhile waveriders will battle it, when heats are launched in the waves of Foum Labouir at the same time. Challenges for shortboard, longboard, SUP, windsurf and kitesurf are also planned. Ultimately, the most complete rider in each discipline will win the “2011 Dakhla Waterman” title !?

The Dahkla Race, which got won by Björn Dunkerbeck in 2010, is one of the highlights in 2011 again (Pic: Sean Souville).

Stars
If the Dakhla Festival is a mix of sport and culture, it is also a great melting pot! This year we will have the opportunity to welcome famous stars in each discipline. In windsurfing, US American Kevin Pritchard will inaugurate his new Ezzy sails on the Long Distance and in the local waves. Venezuelan Diony Guadagnino will also do the trip to prove he can be a serious contender for the title of « Dakhla Waterman ». The Dutchman originally from Bonaire and born in Suriname, Ruben Petrisie, manager of the EFPkT circuit, will do his first trip to Morocco and will also be present to play in the waves or participate in the racing discipline. Patrice Belbéoc’h may be the competitor to watch on the Long Distance, as the Slovenian Tine Slabe or the old speedmaster, Jochen Krauth ready to play again alongside Frenchies Gerald Pelleau and Yann Nguyen. But beware, Bieuzy Mauffret the Speedrider with the « magic glide » remains a 1st class outsider while Bruno Andre will show off on his foil board!

In the waves, is announced the presence of the French Wave Champion 2010 Fred Jézéquel and the “rock’n’roll rider Julien Taboulet. At Fuerteventura based Stephane Etienne will do the trip with Nicole Boronat and Dario Ojeda from Grn Canaria to compete in waves.

Boujmaa Guilloul, the Moroccan star, will of course be part of the show to rip the local waves alongside highly motivated young locals from Essaouira and Moulay Bouzerktoun. On the girls side are expected Sarah Hebert, Nicole Boronat, Faustine Merret and of course Marion Raisi, who is totally involved in this Festival as a co-worker.

Boujmaa Guilloul knows the breaks at Dahkla very well.

The Program

22.02.2011
Long Distance recognition
Free sessions

23.02.2011 – 25.02.2011
Waveriding Contest (windsurfing, kitesurfing, longboarding, surfing, sup)
Long distance (windsurfing, kitesurfing)

25.02.2011
Official presentation of the riders

26.02.2011
Exhibitions & initiations (windsurfing, kitesurfing, longboarding, surfing, sup)
“Dakhla Waterman” – Stand Up Paddle combined contest by team
Announcement of the best riders of the day
Interviews and autographs of athletes

27.02.2011
Exhibitions & initiations (windsurfing, kitesurfing, longboarding, surfing, sup)
Dakhla Festival Official Prize Giving

© Dahkla Festival 2011