Page 162 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2020 South Africa

ing in Dubai. crowded. But that’s good. I love seeing the sport
“That first rush of standing on a board and being grow.”
carried in is incredible. It’s called ‘the stoke,’ and it One of the highlights of my trip was meeting
grabs you and makes you want to do it more and Meryem el Gardoum and watching her ride the
more.” waves. This 23-year-old Muslim woman is a native
Lasim Safir, who sports gold-tipped dreadlocks, of Tamraght and a four-time national female surf-
rents surfboards and gives lessons from a small ing champion.
wooden building that also serves as his home She learned from her older brothers, and her
above Devil’s Rock beach. parents encouraged her to compete. Now she’s a
“There’s nothing I’d rather do than surf and help part-time instructor when she’s not surfing and
people learn,” said Safir, who is in his late 30s and competing.
started surfing 20 years ago. “When I was a kid, Anchor Point is her favorite break, she told me,
there weren’t that many people who came to this because of its consistent tubes and long rides.
beach. Now, sometimes, the waves can almost be “I feel so free when I am out there,” she said dur-

162 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2020