5 Reasons Why the Surf Trip was Better than the Ski Trip

Whilst every other man and his dog descended on Val D’Isere this Christmas, a small but well crafted group of adventurers headed off for some sun, sea and surf in Morocco. Here are 5 reasons why you should think about doing the same next year.

1. So the journey begins...

…and ends before the ski trip coaches have even left the country. Twice the distance was covered in a quarter of the time. Our cattle class tickets might as well have been business class in comparison to the battery hens crawling their way across France. With the crew riding high on the giddy pre-holiday optimism that airports instil, the 5am meet time merely provided the opportunity to enjoy a sunset surf later that day. Only some Moroccan mischief from the airport taxi drivers delayed our swift voyage. A corrupt police intervention meant we were not allowed to board the arranged mini buses to our surf camp, Surf Berbere, instead having to use the taxis that apparently have a monopoly over the airport.

2. Sunny Delight

No, I have not been to the tanning salon; this is an authentic all over tan without a hint of any panda eyes. If wall-to-wall sunshine is not your thing then Morocco isn’t the place for you. It is not an exaggeration when I boast we saw one lonely cloud float by all week, and this is supposedly their winter. It was a pleasant 20-25 degrees every day with a calm sea breeze. It’s fair to say I’ve had more Vitamin D than you can shake your Sunny D at, making it the perfect preparation for the upcoming hectic epiphany term.

3. Cultural Exchange

It is difficult to define the culture over there, as it seemed to be a melting pot of a variety of influences. The Islamic state had a more Middle-Eastern spice than it’s north African location suggests, though there was a certain air of African friendliness which, once blended into surfing’s laid back lifestyle, made for a distinctly chilled and relaxed pace of life.

As the winter stomping grounds for any European surfer worth their salt, the town is geared around surfing. Imagine a Moroccan Newquay, but without the 16-year-old chavs, rain and sloppy surf. World-class point breaks adorn the coastline with double over-head swells regularly rolling in.

I feel like I have experienced something truly different from the norm. The ski trip on the other hand, merely packed Durham up into a suitcase and carted it off to a different town. Same people, same attitude, same snow – Durham is just a couple of mountains short of being Val D’Isere. They simply swapped Klute for La Follie Douce. The term ‘same shit, different toilet’ comes to mind.

4. “We’re all friends here...”

I’m not talking about the ‘I saw you across the piste in a sexy one piece and thought I’d add you’ type of friend; I’m talking about the ‘I’ve seen you practically naked’ type of friend. This wasn’t a college clique surf holiday disguised as a ‘Palat-in-surf’ trip. We put our college allegiances aside for a minute to get to know people of different cultures, for example, Stockton.

5. All for a snip

When weighing up the surf trip versus the ski trip, the real deal clincher was the price. There was no ‘basic package’ with plenty of extras. It was simply £250 for full board, equipment hire and transfers. The flights were the only thing left, which cost £100 but only because I was so unorganised, but still making the full cost the same as the ski trip (without skis, lift pass upgrade, food and paraphernalia they rope you into buying).

Before you all slag me off as some judgemental hippy surfer prick, I’ve been on both sides of the fence, and to be honest, I find myself now sat on it. I went on the ski trip to Val Thorens last year and OK, I’ll admit I loved it. Both weeks will live long in my memory for different reasons. I’m just trying to stoke your flames and maybe plant a seed. Next year don’t be so quick to jump on the Durham bandwagon, go in search of the path less travelled for a change.