Photos: Morocco’s women surfers ride out harassment on Rabat’s beaches

Its origins in the country dating back to 1960s, surfing in Morocco’s waters has gained popularity among enthusiasts over the decades including women, leading to the country’s first international women’s surfing contest in 2016. But Morocco’s women surfers continue to face prejudice and harassment when they take to the water in their wetsuits. While time has made the sight of women on surfboards common in the North African country, attitudes towards them differ from beach to beach and family to family.

Updated on: May 25, 2018 11:41 AM IST

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Women surfers have increasingly become a common sight in Morocco as they skim the waves off the coast of the capital, Rabat. But once back on land they still risk prejudice and harassment. “It’s easier in the winter because the beaches are empty,” said 29-year-old Meriem. But as summer approaches the surfers have to pay attention to what they wear. (Fadel Senna / AFP)

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A surfer enters the water at Rabat’s Udayas beach. The gentle waves nearby are ideal for beginners but nestled at the foot of the 12th century Kasbah-- the beach is far from discreet. And for many Moroccan women from conservative backgrounds, such activities are still off limits. (Fadel Senna / AFP)

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Meriem, an engineer and surfer exits the water after a session. Taking up the sport four years ago she said she’s lucky to have grown up in a ‘tolerant’ family. Jalal Medkouri, who runs the Rabat Surf Club said that some families are ashamed that their daughters practice water sports. (Fadel Senna / AFP)

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Yet some club members say attitudes are changing. When Rim Bechar, 28, began surfing four years ago, her father accompanied her every time she wanted to surf. However, with a growing number of female surfers people have now become used to seeing young women in wetsuits. Bechar saidthat today, she surfs alone, stays all day and goes home without any problems. (Fadel Senna / AFP)

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Meriem (R) surfs off the coast of Rabat. Surfing first took off Morocco’s Atlantic coast in the 1960s, at the popular seaside resort of Mehdia. Soldiers at a nearby French-American military base are said to be the first to practice the water sport. As enthusiasts, both French and Moroccans quickly nurtured it. In September 2016, the country also held its first international women’s surfing contest. (Fadel Senna / AFP)

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Meriem walks along the coastline after a session. In Mehdia, surf instructor Mounir believes there is no problem for girls surfing, but mentalities differ from beach to beach. Despite efforts to improve the status of women in Morocco, attitudes have been slow to change. A 2017 UN study found nearly 72% of men and 78% of women thinking “women who dress provocatively deserve to be harassed”. (Fadel Senna / AFP)

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Harassment ranges from looks and comments to unwanted attempts at flirtation and attention. That’s one reason club surfing has gained popularity, cutting harassment and easing families’ concerns in a group setting. Of the Rabat Surf Club’s over 40 surfers, half are women. Ikram, who also surfs there, hopes “all girls who were prevented by their father or brother from doing what they want will follow this path”. (Fadel Senna / AFP)