Interview with Brahim Iddouch

Here at IBC, we want to shine a light on the incredible career of one of the best athletes in bodyboarding history. He’s one of the most important sports figures from Morocco, and we really appreciate his dedication and commitment to bodyboarding, his work with the youth, and his long journey in competitions that have taken the name of his country to many places around the world.

Plus, he’s the kind of person who always greets you with a smile—humble, a true friend to his buddies, and above all, a huge lover of this beautiful and radical sport called bodyboarding.

So, without further ado, here’s BRAHIM IDDOUCH!

– What has bodyboarding brought to your life?

Bodyboarding to my life is what water is for fish, I would say that my life wouldn’t be as meaningful as today without Bodyboarding… it makes my memories and is building my future.

– What was your childhood like in Agadir?

When I was a kid, I had another hobby.. it was football.. I was spending my days at school, playing football, and sometimes fishing… my time was spent watching waves and ocean, but I never thought i would be shifting to surfing.

– You’ve definitely been and still are the top reference for bodyboarding in Morocco. What are you currently doing to promote the sport in your country, and how do you see the level? “Feel free to mention any young talent you think will go far.”

I made a lot of efforts to be seen as today, each time I hear people referring to me as the top reference in Morocco, I have tears of joy. I would say that thanks God, I invested a lot to be able to participate internationally during the first and second years… then I got the full support of our Moroccan federation but also our beloved King Mohammed 6. Thanks to my sponsors, I was able to travel and build my awarenes, so morocco’s awareness. Today, we see a lot of talented young athletes from different cities in Morocco such us Mohamed Abdi. He is phenomenal.

– For the second year in a row, there will be a world tour event in Morocco, specifically in Agadir, Taghazout Bay. What do you think about this event, and what do you think it brings to bodyboarding and the community in general?

Today, being able to promote my home country by organising the IBC tour here means a lot… it also helps the young generation competing with famous names… something I was dreaming about foreve, and that wouldn’t be possible for me without the help of my family… we are all happy being able to see this event for the second tim, and we hope it will stay forever with the contribution of all sponsors and the hard work of our federation. This event is not only for current bodyboarders, but it is also a way to promote water sports and help parents understand this practic, which will, of cours, let them support their kids trying it. We have to mention that it is always seen as a dangerous sport in our country, and not all parents leave their kids adventuring in the ocean.

– You’ve always stood out for your radical surfing. I remember a huge inverted air at one of the most powerful waves in the world, Teahupoo. Can you tell us a bit about that experience and some others from your sports career?

Haha ! That wave … that day I was seekin the best score… I took the wave and just felt that Ihade to try an invert… I was not sure about the landin, but I felt confiden, and that happened. I got the best manoeuvrer of the year awar, and it made my name more famous. All that i can say is that I love adrenalin, and I am always seeking for crazy manoeuvres when I feel it is the right time for it… I also love backflips, and I remember that thanks to all those experiences, I made a lot of friends that I was watching on videos and calling once my idols.

– Who have you looked up to in order to evolve in bodyboarding? Name your different idols in this sport.

Talking about idols, I was always watching tension videos .. great bodyboarders like my friend Jeff Hubbard inspired me a lot, and they still do. I was always trying to improve my style, my flips by referring to the Australian Ben player.

– Two years ago, you had an accident at the Gran Canaria Frontón King. How do you prepare physically and mentally to face these challenges or deal with really dangerous conditions?

It was not the only accident I had. It is true that something like that might take your spirit down… what i do is that I train in hard conditions… I am thankful to be part of an amazing team led by Jerome Sahyoun. we always try to seek for crazy waves… push our breathing limits but also train High intensity exercises to be ready.

Is there something you’d like to do in this sport that you haven’t been able to yet?

My dream is to make bodyboarding as popular as surfing… cause it is still not the case. I would like companies, contributors , and people who are practising all kinds of extreme sports to understand the importance of each discipline. My second dream would be to add it in school curriculum since primary school.. we lack study/sport programs in Morocco that allow a student-athlete to reconcile their academic and sporting goals, prioritizing academic success, I really hope it will happen one day.

– Tell us about your best and worst moments in competition.

I will start with the worst,it is when I don’t get my Visa to be part of a contest. Haha it happens yes! As all Africans must have VISAs to most countries. Yet, my best moment is when they refer to Morocco as a great destination for waves, that always make me feel proud as the first time I had to compete in a Qualifying series back in 2012, Most people wouldn’t recognise the country in a Map.

– Any special anecdotes from your travels that you’d like to share?

To be frank, all trips have the same look and feel, good vibes, nice food depending on the destination and good memories.

– What are your current and future projects?

I do have a surf camp and a surf school here, after stopping competition, I will certainly continue on my projects as sometimes they request my presence. I will continue bringing Russians, British, and people from different nationalities to my camp to help our tourism industry via surfing… but i will also continue organizaing bodyboarding trips with Amaury Academy ,Pierre Louis Costes, Jared Houston, Jeff Hubbard, and many others that have their bodyboard schools to bring in life a Bodyboarding Travel program for kids. 

– Here’s your space to thank, greet, or express anything you’d like.

I wanna thank first my family who believed in me especially my mom and my brothers, my close friends who are making sure that my days are never boring and my manager for helping me shine in my profession. I want to thank also my sponsors AFRICA GAZ, TAGHAZOUT BAY, AZURA TOMATO, SAMSUNG and RIP CURL. Thanks also to the Moroccan Federation of Surfing for their hard work and finally, to all those who believed in me.

Main Organisers:

@fedesurfmaroc

@taghazoutbay.officiel

@ibcworld_tour

@imouransurf

Key Sponsors:

@CR.SOUSSMASSA

@taghazoutbay.officiel

@redbullmoroc

@pridebodyboards

@ripcurl_morocco

@Tikida hotels

@radissonblutaghazoutbay

Local Partners:

@Aanzabluewaves

@newgenerationsurfassociation

@TaghazoutBoardRiders

@RDTRSoussMassa

@crtagadirsm

#WorldBodyboard #ibc2025 #TaghazoutBay #AnzaWaves  #BodyboardingMorocco #RideTheWaves #AnchorPointAdventure #bodyboard #bodyboarding #ibcworldtour #visitagadir #visitruralmorocco

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