Soufiane has always had a love for the ocean.
He starting surfing when he was just 10 year old, and would
spend most afternoons after school searching for waves.
Soufiane was born and raised in Essaouira, Morocco, in the centre
of the city’s old town, just a few steps from where the castle walls
seperate the powerful atlantic ocean from the cultural and picturesque
city of Essaouira.
The charm of this city has drawn countless people to it over the years,
from Jimi Hendrix to Cat Stevens, Essaouira has always been popular
with artists, writers and musicians. Soufiane grew up with a love
of Gnawa music, playing in a band for many years.
His days were spent between playing music, surfing and fishing,
enjoying all the best things that his wonderful hometown has to offer.

When he was 15, the first Kiteboard World Cup competition came
to Essaouira. It was while he was out surfing one day, that he first
caught a glimpse of this amazing new sport called Kitesurfing,
as the World Champion Christopher Tasti came riding past him.
Soufiane had never seen any thing like it, and decided that Kitesurfing
was the sport for him. He didnt realise then just how much
his moment would change his life.

Thanks to Christopher Tasti, Soufiane was given some equipment
to try and instead of spending his afternoons surfing, he now spent
them kitesurfing. Its not an easy sport to learn by yourself,
but Soufiane soon got the hang of it, and was out riding in no time.
He pushed himself hard and very soon became one of the most
radical and energetic riders around.
The beginning was tough, and due to economic difficulties,
Soufiane was not able to dedicate himself to the sport as much
as he would have liked to.

Looking back on it, these harder times made Soufiane really appreciate all the wonderful things that were
to happen to him soon in the future, and helped him strive to achieve more, and not give up simply because of where you
come from, or what your economic situation is. Soufiane wanted to show other kids, including his younger brother,
how surfing and kitesurfing can be open to everyone, not just for European tourists or wealthier people, so he and his friends
set up an association to promote the sports and to give younger kids from poor families the opportunity to spend less time
on the street and more time in the water learning these sports.

His dedication to the sport paid off when in 2001, Soufiane was given sponsorship by several big companies, and the support
of the Moroccan government, so that he could now train around the world and represent Morocco in the Kiteboard World Cup Tour,
where he finished 4th in 2004. He has consistently done well in international competitions, finishing 2nd in France in 2008,
and 1 st in Turkey in 2007 in course racing.

Today, Soufiane continues to compete in the World Cup.
He is the local host and organizer of the Essaouira Kiteboard World Cup which is held annually in his home town.
Soufiane is also the head of the Moroccan Association of Kitesurfing, where he has also formed a Moroccan kiteboarding team.
He also does many promotional trips for international magazines and television such as The New York Times, ARD, 2M and
Eurosport as well as hundreds of articles and photoshoots for kitesurf magazines. He travels all over the world to destinations
such as Brazil, New Caledonia, Italy, Portugal, France and Egypt. Kitesurfing is his passion, and he continues to dedicate himself
to promoting the sport, his sponsors, aswell as his country.

Soufiane would like to thank the following people and sponsors who have helped him over the years :
North Kiteboarding and Ion for their dedicated support from the beginning. Agustin Carrion for being a wonderful manager
and friend. The KPWT world tour for creating such wonderful events each year. The media that have supported him through
many interviews, trips and events. His family and friends for accompanying him through the good times and the bad times.