IBALLA MORENO
The conditions were fun. It was a bit light at the beginning so we had to ride on big sails and floaty boards. The first heats were on the edge and a few knots too light. Once on the wave you could generate speed. You had to use a lot of technique to make the most of the wave. We knew it was probably our only chance to compete as the swell was forecast to be huge. Duncan the head judge did a great job there. There was an amazing level in the water from all the women and we put on a great show. I was riding what I normally use in Fuerteventura, a 4.7m and 76 litre Starboard UltraKode. Other girls were riding bigger equipment, Sarah Quita is nearly 20 kilos more than me, so she was on a 5.0m and an 86 litre board, while Daida was on a 4.7m and 80 litre board as she is about 7 kilos heavier than me. I used a Maui Ultra Fins thruster setup; in the middle I had a 15.5cm fin and on the side 11cm fins. It was a very good setup, very comfortable. By the end of the day conditions were getting better, more side-shore and we had more speed for wave riding. I was nervous but I managed to control my anxiety, I think that is a good thing. If you can’t control your nerves it can be a negative, but for me I was able to use my nervousness in a positive way. It was a good spot, decent conditions and great to have a women only event. It was amazing to be here sharing it with the other girls. I knew I could ride some nice waves but not control what the other girls were going to do. I was thinking about my riding and all the training I had done in the build-up. In the end my last two waves paid off and I was really happy to take the victory. It was a long heat but there were only a few chances to score really good rides because the wind was light. I was on the edge but I was happy to catch those two waves. I could not see what Daida, Lina and Sarah were doing so I just rode the best I could.
It was awesome for it to be just girls in Morocco. I think this event has been different to all the others because we had the focus 100% on us. It has been a long time since we had that. We even felt important. It was really good for the girls to have this and mix it up. Gran Canaria will be men and women but I think that event will also be special for the women. I like Morocco, the culture is different and the waves are really fun. It is a special event and we should have more competitions here in the upcoming years. It is a world-class spot for sure.