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DAKHLA: DAKHLA DAYS

Dakhla sits on a sandy peninsula between the Atlantic and Western Sahara, with a lagoon that is home to some butter smooth waters and steady winds. Oda Johanne tells us why it has become a favourite spot of hers.

Words – Oda Johanne // Photo credit: Maio Arias Films & Photography

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Last year I went to Dakhla for the first time. It was the best freestyle training I have ever done. What a place, what a crazy sandbank and what a steady wind! One week after leaving Dakhla last year I broke my foot, and after my recovery, I have been thinking about returning to Dakhla almost every day. This spot is so easy to sail and boosts your confidence level on the water. Exactly what I was in need of! So I went back, but this time I got to stay at the best spot and the closest one to the legendary speed spot. I went for two weeks of training with my good friend and fantastic freestyler Dudu Levi. The spot has mainly kiters, so it was good to also team up with another windsurfing addict to push limits on the water together.

Location, Location

We stayed at “Dakhla Attitude”, which is a nice hotel and is the best location for windsurfers that want to sail the speed spot. Most rooms have a sea view and the food is amazing. I have never seen a place with as many fresh vegetables and the best croissants. Many French people travel there, so I guess that explains the amazing croissants! At the hotel there’s a gym with all the weights and machines you need for a proper workout, and while working out you have a view of the beautiful bay, so you can keep an eye on when the wind kicks in. Next to the gym, they have a great windsurfing centre called “Freak Windsurf Club Dakhla”, where you can rent or store your own windsurfing gear.

When the tide goes down, the sandbank pops up for 4-6 hours a day. You can either get a 10-minute lift from the windsurfing centre by tractor (an experience in itself) or sail 15 minutes down the bay and upwind to the speed spot. The spot right in front of the centre is also great, with nice chop. But if you go to Dakhla, the legendary speed spot is a must to sail. The wind is a few knots stronger here and the wind is extremely steady. If you want to learn new tricks, then this is the place for you!

Season

The season is long, with almost 330 windy days. In the winter months from November to February the wind can stop for some days, but it is mostly great. From March till the end of October it is always windy. I have been there in June for the last two years and that has been solid for freestyle sails between 4.0, 4.4 and 4.8; the summer months are the most steady wind months. I only pack my smallest 87-litre freestyle board as the wind has enough power for small to medium kit.

Logistics

The easiest way to fly is with Royal Air Maroc flights to Dakhla. They take bags up to 23 kg and it was not a problem to bring kit with me. From most countries, you need two flights to get there and for me flying from Norway, it was 3 flights. So when you go, you should at least stay a week. But from France, there should be direct flights every week straight to Dakhla.

The hotel is very professional and they will pick you up at the airport, which is located 20-30 minutes drive away. They even had a separate pickup truck to transport your sports equipment from the airport to the hotel.

If you go to Dakhla to only do sports like I did, you don´t need a car, as you will spend most of your time inside the all-inclusive hotel area, and everything you need is there. This means you will not spend much money apart from booking the hotel. After many days of sailing, it is nice to book a sports massage at the spa so you are fresh and ready for a new day on the water.

Magical

The feeling of sailing in Dakhla is a feeling that everything is possible! The wind and the spot is so good that it is really just up to you how much you will improve your sailing. If you are training full planing gybes or new freestyle tricks there is no easier place to learn. What surprised me is that it blows most days the whole day from sunrise to sunset, so you can time your sessions depending on the tide if you want to sail behind the magical sandbank. You can sail so close to the sandbank that you can stretch out your arm while sailing and touch the sandbank! It is also extra fun to freestyle at such a flat spot because your top speed is higher than average as there is no chop or waves slowing you down. That gives a bit more adrenaline to your sessions!

My only advice about Dakhla is to book a week or two, and sail your heart out! You will fall in love with the spot and the simple life you will have there, where you only need to worry about rigging 4.0, 4.4 or 4.8, and eat 2 or 3 croissants for breakfast!