Medina Surfing

Medina Surfing is a mobile surf school based in the medina of Rabat, founded and run by Abdel Elharim, an ISA and Moroccan Federation certified coach, a former professional competitor and African champion. The school has no fixed beach: it teaches on Rabat beach and picks the day's spot according to swell, wind, tide and season, within roughly an hour's drive.

Lessons are aimed at beginners and intermediate surfers: two hours in the water with board and wetsuit provided, a maximum of eight students per instructor, and work on paddling, standing up, catching waves, reading the ocean and staying safe. The school also runs a five-hour surf guiding day: return transport from the medina, two hours of in-water coaching matched to your level, spot selection, equipment if needed and lunch at a seaside restaurant. Video analysis can be added if requested in advance.

Alongside this the school runs a free community programme: together with a local non-profit it coaches children from underprivileged backgrounds in the Rabat area, at intermediate or advanced level and under fourteen. Beyond technique the programme stresses ocean safety, care for the environment and life in a group; several of these youngsters have won regional and national contests, and some have joined the Moroccan national surf team.

The school publishes neither opening hours nor a season: sessions are booked in advance, by message. A lesson lasts two hours, the surf guiding day five hours.