PORTE 13, AIN DIAB, Casablanca - Morocco (Wednesday, April 26, 2023) - The Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca, Stop No.1 on the World Surf League (WSL) European Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) returns from May 3-7, 2023 at Ain Diab beach, in Casablanca, Morocco.
"MOROCCO MALL is proud to renew its partnership with WSL and to support a second edition of this international event that will undoubtedly be a highlight for the city of Casablanca. We are happy to be associated with the development of surfing in Morocco and to support the younger generation into sports. This event is also a great opportunity for us to promote our destination."
Junior athletes (under the age of 20) will take on the fun beachbreaks of Casablanca for the second time after a successful first edition last year that crowned an all-Basque lineup of Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri and Bitor Garitaonandia.
An early look at the forecast promises good conditions for the season opener with fun waves and beautiful weather on the Moroccan central coast.
Morocco to Launch 2023 European JQS Season
A 3-stop regional series will determine the European qualifiers for the World Junior Championship (WJC) to be held in early 2024. Surfers will once again start their qualifying campaign in Casablanca and for some of them, it will be the first time we see them compete since November of last year. The first stop is always a great indication of who's put in the most work in the off season and an exciting teaser for the year to come.
Surfers will later compete in La Torche, Brittany / France and Razo, Galicia / Spain in September to wrap up the season. When the dust settles on the European JQS, only the Top 2 men and Top 2 women will clinch a spot into the WJC.
"The junior division is the foundation of our WSL tour structure and we're stoked to have a solid field competing throughout Europe at a young age," Rob Gunning, WSL Europe Tour Manager said. "Events like the Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca are extremely important in the development of young talents to expose them to the pressure of competition, different conditions and unfamiliar territories as they grow into adults and mature competitors."
Lilias Tebbaï will be one to watch on her home spot in Casablanca. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
Locals and Wildcards to Play Spoilers in Casablanca
A total of 12 surfers from the host country have entered the event and represent a chance to showcase the bright future of Moroccan surfing. Among them, Lilias Tebbai and Neil Aboufiras carry the most experience in the women's and men's fields respectively and will lead the charge on home turf.
Event wildcards Ranya Squalli, Ines Tebbai, Ayman Gougali and Medhi Tsouli will also try to make their mark against the best young surfers from the region.
Some of them already had an opportunity to compete on home soil earlier this year at the QS3,000 Rip Curl Pro Search Taghazout Bay in February. The WSL tours' structure allows athletes to start young and develop their skills before graduating to the Qualifying Series (QS) in hopes of someday making it to the Championship Tour (CT) like Agadir's Ramzi Boukhiam.
The 2023 Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca is scheduled from May 3-7, 2023, at Ain Diab beach, in Casablanca, Morocco. For all results, photos, video highlights and press releases, log on to worldsurfleague.com.
The Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca is organized by the World Surf League with the support of Morocco Mall, CIH Bank, Maroc Telecom, Afriquia Gaz, Aïn Atlas, Marsa Maroc, Jeep, Rip Curl, City of Casablanca, 2M, U Radio, Radio Mars, Surf Report Maroc.
About Morocco Mall:
The MOROCCO MALL, the first shopping and entertainment destination in the region, offers its visitors more than 350 leading national and international brands representing several universes. The MOROCCO MALL also concentrates unique attractions and allows visitors to combine shopping and relaxation. Thanks to its rich entertainment program and its surprise events, the MOROCCO MALL welcomes thousands of visitors every day, positioning the Mall as a family destination par excellence.
About CIH Bank
A major player in the development of Morocco's economy, CIH Bank is widely regarded as a global company offering all banking services. It has become an online banking pioneer in Morocco. Digital, yet close to its clients, CIH Bank is a modern institution using all available channels to manage its client relations: agencies, websites, mobile apps, ATMs and its client relations center.
About Maroc Telecom
A renowned operator in Africa, leader in Morocco and other countries, Maroc Telecom Group is actively participating in the development of the telecoms sector on the continent. With a presence in 11 countries (Morocco, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Central African Republic, Chad and Togo), Maroc Telecom serves nearly 76 million mobile, fixed-line and Internet customers.
Through its commitment to reducing the digital divide, the Group makes a significant contribution to economic and social development, access to NICTs and the well-being of populations both in Morocco and in all the countries in which its subsidiaries are located, under the commercial brand "Moov Africa".
Contact us: www.iam.ma
About Afriquia
As a responsible partner, Afriquia Gaz delivers innovative energy solutions to Moroccan companies and helps boost competitiveness as well as creates new opportunities for development. Our integrated management system puts quality, hygiene, safety and the environment at the heart of our business model, following three international norms: ISO 9001, ISO 45001 et ISO 14001.
About Aïn Atlas
Aïn Atlas is a natural mineral water rich in minerals and trace elements, drawing its qualities from the heart of the Middle Atlas mountains.
Its strength and naturalness make it the hydration partner of choice throughout the day to preserve the strength within you.
The Aïn Atlas brand promotes strong values, and encourages people to tap into their inner strength. It is the ideal water for all those who seek self-transcendence.
About Marsa Maroc
Marsa Maroc Group is the national leader in port operations with a significant presence in all 10 commercial ports in Morocco. As a multi-traffic port operator, Marsa Maroc actively participates in the development of Morocco's logistics competitiveness by offering a wide range of port services to importers, exporters and shipping companies.
The company offers port services both to goods (onboard and dockside handling, warehousing, checking, weighing, containers' stuffing and unstuffing, etc.) and to ships (steering, towing, mooring, etc.).
About Jeep
With 80 years of history, Jeep has cultivated a legendary heritage of offering robust, powerful and versatile vehicles that have adapted to technological developments and market trends.
The brand offers an incomparable driving experience thanks to its capacity, know-how and versatility, making Jeep one of the world's benchmarks in the authentic SUV segment.
Today, Jeep continues to innovate by developing electrified models with the introduction in Morocco of the Jeep Compass E-hybrid and the Jeep Renegade E-hybrid, offering eco-friendly and fuel-efficient driving.
Explore our range of vehicles in Morocco to experience the safety and confidence that only the Jeep brand can offer at www.jeep.ma
About Rip Curl
Rip Curl is a world-leading brand of surfing sportswear as well as a major athletic sponsor, with manufacturing and sales facilities around the globe. Since launching in 1969, this hugely popular global brand has been committed to providing surfers with all the equipment they need, no matter where their travels lead them. Its dynamic line of products ranges from wetsuits and surfboards to apparel, accessories, watches, mountain wear and footwear. The Search is the driving force behind the brand's progress and vision. When crew members are chasing uncharted reefs or untracked powder, Rip Curl will arm them with the best equipment they'll need.
For more information, please visit surfer.ma