Morocco Spot X - Day 1
by IWT 28 Mar 2018 05:52 PDT
Scott Shoemaker taking the lead in the Grand Master division © Nicolas Jones / IWT
Moulay beach is abuzz with competitors from around the world, representing 26 different countries. Moulay has been transformed from a quiet Moroccan town, to a bustling event site with staging, flags, banners, horses, children, music, and of course loads of windsurf equipment.
The International Windsurfing Tour crew got straight to work in the morning, greeting all the athletes and checking them in at registration. Heats were under way at 2pm.
Takara Ishii stole the show in the first heat of the Youth Division, completing a Wave 360 and a stylish Goiter. Moroccan Mouhamed Anssais took the win in Heat 2 of the Youth with a nice array of controlled bottom and top turns. Local rider Husseyn Saad completed an impressive forward loop in Heat 3 securing his win in the heat. Top seeded rider Jahden Tyger, from Brazil did not disappoint in the final Youth heat, taking the win with stylish jumps and wave rides.
The Grand Masters division was next, hitting the water shortly after 3pm. All 5 competitors took to the water at once, determined to show the crowd (and judges) that they had plenty to offer. Scott Shoemaker from Maui, wowed the crowd with controlled jumps and critical wave rides to take the win.
The final heat of the day saw experienced IWT rider and judge Simeon Glasson up against IWT newcomer Erik Priester. Erik came in with a reputation for being a ripper, but he still surprised the judges with the highest wave score of the day coming in at just over 9 points. Critical turns in the pocket finished off with a closing aerial was exactly what the judges wanted to see to give high points.
Once heats completed for the day, athletes and spectators alike enjoyed a powerful performance of horses racing down the beach shooting traditional Moroccan guns setting the tone for more heart thumping action to come.
Day one ended with a beautiful greeting from the local government in the town of Essaouria. A lay day has been called for day 2 as we wait for the wind to return. The forecast is looking very promising for the days to come.