About Us | Expert Surf, Kite & Wing Team

An expert team for surf, kitesurf & wing foil — rooted in Essaouira, trained on the Atlantic, Mediterranean & in Hong Kong.

Who we are

Professional water-sports coaching with a human touch

Since 2010, Essaouira Surf School has grown from a single surf shack on Plage d'Essaouira into a full academy for surf, kitesurfing and wing foiling. Our coaches are not seasonal temps — they are certified professionals who teach with structured progressions, clear safety rules and genuine care for every guest.

Our collective experience spans Morocco's Atlantic coast, Mediterranean training camps and coaching blocks in Hong Kong. That international background shows up in how we read wind, choose spots and adapt lessons — whether you are standing on your first whitewater wave or chasing your first wing foil flight.

  • ISA, IKO & BPJEPS-aligned coaching
  • Surf · kitesurf · wing foil under one roof
  • English, French, Spanish & more
  • 5000+ guests coached since 2010
Essaouira Surf School coaches and students on the beach after a lesson

Our team on Essaouira beach — your session starts here

By the numbers

  • 5000

    Happy guests

  • 12+

    Certified coaches

  • 5.0★

    Average rating

  • 300+

    Windy days / year

El Mehdi Foum-Errabah kitesurfing on Atlantic waves at Essaouira

El Mehdi — IKO kitesurf · Essaouira

Pro rider · Essaouira

Founder & director

El Mehdi Foum-Errabah

Professional surfer & kitesurfer · School director, Essaouira

  • Pro surfing
  • Pro kitesurfing
  • Wing foil school

El Mehdi is a professional surfer and kitesurfer based in Essaouira — ISA-certified surf instructor and IKO-certified kitesurf instructor. On the water he brings competition-level technique; on land he leads Essaouira Surf School with the same precision — surf, kitesurf and wing foil programmes built for safety, progression and an unforgettable Moroccan experience.

He personally oversees operations at the school on Plage d'Essaouira: coach recruitment, lesson quality, equipment, guest communication and partnerships. His background in tourism management and media helps the school stay professional for international guests while staying rooted in the local community.

Certifications & qualifications

  • International certification

    ISA surf instructor diploma

    International Surfing Association qualification — surf coaching, ocean safety and structured beginner-to-intermediate progressions.

  • International certification

    IKO kitesurf instructor diploma

    International Kiteboarding Organization qualification — kite control, body drag, water starts and safe independent riding.

  • Higher education

    Nautical sports studies

    Degree programme focused on nautical sports — technical and pedagogical foundation for surf, kite and ocean activities.

  • Master's degree

    Communication, media & creative industries

    Strategic communication, digital media and brand storytelling for the school and its international audience.

  • Professional licence

    Corporate information & communication

    Professional communication, guest relations and organisational messaging.

  • Advanced technician diploma

    Tourism management

    Hospitality, travel logistics and tourism business — applied daily to lessons, trips and packages in Essaouira.

Where we teach & train

Three oceans, one standard of coaching

Essaouira is our home base. Our team's expertise also comes from years on Mediterranean beaches and in Hong Kong waters — so you benefit from global best practices, applied locally.

  • Essaouira, Morocco

    Atlantic home base · since 2010

    Mellow bay breaks for beginners, Sidi Kaouki and trip days for progression, and world-class trade wind for kite and wing. We know every sandbank shift, morning glass window and medina logistics detail.

  • Mediterranean

    Spain · France · Italy coasts

    Our coaches have led clinics and training blocks along the Mediterranean — shorter-period swell, summer camps and technical refinement in warmer water. Those skills transfer directly to how we teach pop-ups, kite control and foil balance.

  • Hong Kong

    Asia-Pacific coaching experience

    Team members have coached and trained in Hong Kong's demanding urban-water context — crowded launches, variable wind and precision handling. That discipline reinforces our safety culture and clear communication on Essaouira beach.

What we teach

Surf, kitesurf & wing foil — one expert team

Each discipline has dedicated lead coaches, modern equipment and lesson plans matched to Essaouira conditions.

  • Surf lesson on Essaouira beach

    Surf

    From first pop-up to green-wave coaching on the bay and trip days south to Kaouki or Imsouane.

    • ISA-certified surf coaches
    • Soft tops, wetsuits & leashes included
    • Small groups & private options
    View lessons & prices →
  • Kitesurfing lesson in Essaouira bay

    Kitesurf

    Africa's wind capital — structured IKO-style progressions from discovery to confident riding.

    • IKO-qualified instructors
    • Radio helmets for real-time feedback
    • Beach & lagoon-style launches
    View lessons & prices →
  • Wing foiling session in Essaouira

    Wing foil

    BPJEPS-certified wing & foil coaching — handling, pump technique and controlled flight.

    • Premium wing & foil gear
    • Flat-water progression zones
    • Semi-private & private formats
    View lessons & prices →

Qualifications & skills

Certifications we hold — skills you can trust

We train to international surf and kite standards, renew rescue and first-aid skills, and align with Moroccan federation guidelines.

Professional skills on every session

Beyond certificates, our team brings daily expertise you feel in the water.

  • Structured coaching

    Clear goals per session, video feedback when useful, and progressions that match your level — not a one-size lesson script.

  • Safety leadership

    Spot briefings, rip-current awareness, ratio control and conservative calls when wind or swell jump.

  • Multilingual team

    Briefings and support in English, French, Spanish and more — essential for international guests in Essaouira.

  • Kids & families

    Soft equipment, shallow zones and patient pacing for children, teens and mixed-ability family groups.

  • Trip planning

    Coastline logistics for Sidi Kaouki, Imsouane and multi-day surf trips with transport and meal coordination.

  • Wind & spot reading

    Live forecast interpretation for surf mornings vs kite afternoons — Essaouira's signature rhythm.

Official standards & tourism partners

We train and operate to international surf and kite standards. Listing on federation and tourism directories is in progress — links below are the official bodies we align with.

Official member listings on ISA and IKO global directories are obtained through their accreditation process (we are applying).

Our story

Fifteen years on Essaouira beach

Built step by step with local roots, international standards and thousands of guests who return year after year.

  1. 2010

    Founded on Plage d'Essaouira

    Youssef El Amrani opens Essaouira Surf School with a mission: proper Atlantic surf coaching with Moroccan hospitality.

  2. 2014

    ISA certification & growing community

    Formal ISA pathways for surf coaches; first 100+ students mark the school as a trusted Essaouira name.

  3. 2018

    Kitesurf & wing programmes

    Trade-wind demand brings IKO kite instruction and early wing foil — one school for all wind sports.

  4. 2022

    International coaching network

    Team training and guest coaching across Mediterranean camps and Hong Kong — raising standards at home.

  5. Today

    5000+ guests · 4.9★ reputation

    A full-time certified team, modern gear fleet, surf trips, hostel & riad packages — still independent and Essaouira-proud.

Meet Your Coaches

ISA & IKO certified · Passionate · Local experts

Tap or hover a card for certification & bio

How we work

Professionalism you can feel

Great sessions are safe, well explained and honestly matched to the day's conditions.

  • Safety first

    We say no when conditions outpace your level. Smaller ratios, conservative spots and rescue-ready coaches are non-negotiable.

  • Real progression

    One clear focus per session — pop-up, kite control or wing handling — so skills stick instead of overwhelming you.

  • Moroccan welcome

    Respect for local culture, fair tips guidance and the warmth that makes Essaouira more than a surf stopover.

  • Ocean respect

    Beach clean-ups, durable equipment choices and teaching etiquette that keeps lineups friendly for locals and visitors.