OPEN THE COAST

ANTOINE:

Dakhla had been running around in my head for over a decade as I was yet to visit – one of the most famous spots in the kitesurfing world. Although I hadn’t seen this unique spot situated at the gates of the Western Sahara with my own eyes, I had however already been to Morocco and enjoyed its vibrant atmosphere and incredible culture, filled with creative, dynamic people who seem to share the habit of laughter in their communication; seemingly helping them to realise projects that appear otherwise impossible.

I competed in many kitesurfing world cups with my Moroccan friend, Soufiane Hamaini, who is proof of this concept. He invited my brother and I to participate in the Dakhla Downwind Challenge in August 2019, the fifth edition of an annual event that he organises under the ‘patronage of His Majesty, King Mohamed VI’.

“WE’D KITE 500 KILOMETRES FROM DAKHLA TO THE MAURITANIAN BORDER. A MILITARY ZONE, VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INTO THE AREA, HOWEVER WITH THE BLESSING OF KING MOHAMED VI, IT WOULD BE OPENED UP FOR THE OCCASION.”

Over the phone he told me that the idea