Taghazout Hosts the European Junior Surfing Circuit Final and Kicks Off the New African Season

The Taghazout region, north of Agadir, is set to host the “Junior Pro Taghazout Bay” from November 11 to 15, with Europe and Africa’s elite young surfers taking part in a particularly important event in the race to qualify for the 2026 World Junior Championship.

Organized under the auspices of the World Surf League (WSL), the competition is part of the qualifying series for the junior category. The waves at Anchor Point will welcome the best talents under the age of 20 in a contest designed to showcase the young athletes’ technical abilities and boost their chances of progressing to higher levels of professional surfing.

The competition’s return to Taghazout reflects the region’s growing status on the global surfing map, thanks to the quality of its waves and natural assets, as well as its tourism appeal and rich local cultural heritage. Together, these factors make it a prime destination for hosting international competitions and attracting athletes from different countries.

In this context, Rob Gunning, director of the WSL’s European junior tour, highlighted the importance of the event’s return to Taghazout, saying that the stop is expected to be the highlight of the 2026 European qualifying season.

Luke Bruce, director of the African junior tour, meanwhile emphasized Taghazout’s place on the continental calendar, noting that the combination of high-quality waves and the local cultural experience gives the competition added value and offers young African athletes an important opportunity to compete against top-level opponents and develop their skills.

This year’s edition is of exceptional importance, as it will be the fifth and final stop of the European qualifying series. Its results will determine the European junior champions, as well as the qualifiers for the World Championship, scheduled to take place in El Salvador from November 25 to 29.

Under the ranking system in place, the final standings are based on each competitor’s three best results from the five stops. The top two male and top two female surfers in the European rankings will secure tickets to the global event.

Before the Taghazout stop, Germany’s Hans Odriozola and Ireland’s Joshua Carpus lead the men’s standings, while the Netherlands’ Tiara van der Hulst and Spain’s Ibon Gómez top the women’s rankings, following the events in Casablanca, Ferrol and Capbreton.

The Moroccan stop will be preceded by the “EDP Junior Pro Gijón,” scheduled for early November, before all eyes turn to Taghazout, where the competition will reach its climax with the final European rankings decided.

The importance of the competition extends beyond the outcome of the European race. It will also mark the start of the WSL’s 2027 African junior qualifying season, following the selection of Africa’s qualifiers for the 2026 World Championship after three events: Casablanca, the “Rip Curl Vic Bay Pro Junior” and the “O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior.”

Africa will be represented at the World Championship by Simon Winter, Louise Lebrun, Levi Ibbitson and Anastasia Venter. Winter strengthened his position by moving to the top of the African rankings after winning the “Rip Curl Vic Bay Pro Junior,” while Lebrun secured first place thanks to her consistent results, including two runner-up finishes at the “Rip Curl Vic Bay Pro Junior” and the “O’Neill SMTH Shapes Ballito Pro Junior.”

Levi Ibbitson qualified by finishing ninth at the “Morocco Mall Casablanca Pro Junior,” held last May, while Anastasia Venter earned her place in the world final by winning the “Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Junior.”

The World Junior Championship, scheduled to take place from November 25 to 29 in Surf City, El Salvador, will bring together the best young surfing talents from around the world, who will compete for the world titles in the category.

By hosting this international event, Taghazout is strengthening its presence among the world’s sporting destinations and reinforcing Morocco’s position as a venue capable of attracting international competitions while offering young talents new opportunities to gain experience and build their path toward professional surfing.