Big Opening Day At Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca

AIN DIAB, Casablanca, Morocco - The World Surf League (WSL) Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) 1,000, the Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca, got underway today in contestable and fun surf at Ain Diab, Casablanca. It was a solid opening day of competition, completing the two biggest rounds of the men's division, while the women enjoyed an off day. The next call will be on Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 a.m. GMT+1.  It is the first co-sanctioned pro junior between the Europe and Africa regions, with athletes from both regions earning points towards their regional rankings. As the first stop of the 2026 JQS season, the event has attracted more than 150 athletes from all over Europe and Africa.

Pictured: Benjamim Magalhaes (POR) advanced to the Round of 64 at the Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casabanca today. Credit: © WSL / Laurent Masurel

Today, the conditions tested the competitors, but there were a few fun peaks and sections available that offered better scoring potential. It was Luc Bier (FRA), Benjamim Magalhaes (POR) and Paul Fabre (FRA) who eyed out these sections at the start of the day to earn convincing heat wins and move on to the next round, where Bier and Magalhaes advanced again.  Achille Clerc (FRA) scored the highest heat total of the day in the Opening Round with a total of 14.00 (out of a possible 20), and then got the job done in his next heat to book a spot in the Round of 64. Other standout performances included Pietro Garroux (ITA), Malone Vieuge (FRA) and Theo Coathalem (FRA).

When competition resumes, the men's top seeds will hit the water in the Round of 64 with the likes of Hans Odriozola (DEU), Axel Dominguez (FRA), Lukas Skinner (GBR), Alfonso Suarez (ESP) and Ben Esterhuyse (RSA) expected to raise the bar.

The women will also get their start tomorrow with the first two opening rounds on the schedule.

The next call will be on Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 a.m. GMT+1 for a possible 7:15 a.m. start.

The 2026 Morocco Mall Junior Pro Casablanca is supported by the City of Casablanca, the Moroccan National Tourist Office, Morocco Mall, Afriquia Gaz, Marsa Maroc, Seat Maroc, CIH Bank, Aïn Atlas, Butec, 2M, 2M Radio, Hit Radio and Radio Mars.