- Nador Hosts Africa’s First-Ever E-Foil World Cup Event
The city of Nador marked a historic milestone in African sports tourism by hosting the inaugural edition of the Marchica E-Foil Trophy – SFT Surf Foil World Tour E-Foil World Cup 2026 on May 9 and 10. Held at the prestigious Marchica Lagoon Resort, the event made Morocco the first African nation to organize an international E-Foil World Cup competition.
Bringing together elite riders from across the globe, alongside tourism professionals, institutional stakeholders, and international media representatives, the competition showcased one of the world’s fastest-growing water sports disciplines, combining cutting-edge technology with high-performance surfing.
As part of the official 2026 Surf Foil World Tour calendar, the Moroccan stage highlighted the Kingdom’s growing reputation as a destination capable of hosting next-generation international sporting events while promoting the natural beauty and tourism potential of the Nador region and the Marchica Lagoon.
Loubna Boutaleb, CEO of Marchica Agency and Marchica Med, stated that the event reflects Morocco’s broader vision to position the Marchica Lagoon as a symbol of sustainable development, international openness, and Mediterranean excellence.
Fayçal Guennouni, CEO of E-Foil Maroc, described the competition as a major step forward for the development of e-foil sports in Morocco and Africa, emphasizing the country’s ability to integrate into leading global circuits dedicated to innovative water sports.
Marchica Lagoon Resort also underlined the successful blend of world-class sports, premium hospitality, and destination promotion throughout the two-day competition. Tarik Kerdoudi, Commercial and Marketing Director of the resort, noted that the event further strengthened the site’s status as an international-standard venue for major sporting and tourism events.
Sport, Culture and Mediterranean Hospitality
Beyond the sporting competition, the Marchica E-Foil Trophy delivered a unique cultural and lifestyle experience celebrating Morocco’s Mediterranean identity. Participants and guests enjoyed a gala evening themed “Spanish Tradition & Treasures of the Lagoon,” featuring authentic tapas, giant paella, and a flamenco performance by the renowned Jesús Cortés troupe from Barcelona.
International Competition Results
The tournament featured competitors from several countries across multiple categories, reflecting the high competitive level of this first African edition of the global e-foil circuit.
In the Men’s category, Spain’s Manel Arpa Zuriguel claimed first place ahead of American rider Justin Chait and Austria’s Clemens Kresser.
In the Women’s category, Sweden’s Agnes Wicander secured victory ahead of Spain’s Julia Castro and Dutch competitor Laura Jil Kurmann.
The Best Moroccan Rider award was won by Jamal Elkabyr, followed by Amin Balha and Youness Rhallam.
In the Masters category, Austria’s Clemens Kresser finished first ahead of Dutch rider Piet Varkevisser and Finland’s Antti Koskinen.
Morocco Strengthens Its Global Sports Tourism Ambitions
With the successful launch of the Marchica E-Foil Trophy, Morocco continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination for international sporting innovation and experiential tourism. The event represents a new milestone in the development of water sports in both Morocco and Africa while reinforcing Nador’s ambition to become a regional hub for world-class competitions.
Organizers also confirmed plans to establish the Moroccan stage as a permanent fixture on the international Surf Foil World Tour calendar, further enhancing Morocco’s visibility on the global sports tourism map.
BY: The Times Union
