For chapter four, we touch down in Morocco and make our way to Taghazout – a small fishing village turned righthand point Mecca, where North African hospitality collides with global surf culture.

Taghazout perches on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, the muezzin’s call mingling with the rhythm of the waves. It’s a village caught between worlds, its fishing roots tangled with its status as an international surf destination.

I found myself drawn to the stories etched in the faces of those who’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand. Saad El Kilani, his weathered hands gesturing towards Anchor Point, spoke of a time when the break was nameless and empty. His eyes flashed with a mix of pride and nostalgia as he recounted those early days.

Othmane Choufani and Ramzi Boukhiam represent the new guard, and their journeys are evidence of the tenacity of Moroccan surfers. Othmane’s big wave pursuits have thrust him onto the global stage, while Ramzi’s decade-long quest for a spot on the Championship Tour is a study of perseverance.

But it was Mariam El Gardoum who truly captured the complexities of modern Taghazout. A five-time national champion, she navigates the intersections of tradition, faith, and surfing with grace and grit. Her story is a powerful reminder that cultural identity isn’t static – it evolves, adapts, and sometimes rides a surfboard.

This is Taghazout unfiltered. Click the link above to listen.