Historic Wins at Royal St Andrews: Teva Bouchgua & Lilias Tebbai Lead Africa QS to Challenger Series

Moroccan surfers make waves, securing spots in prestigious Challenger Series

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:39am

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An extreme close-up of two surfers riding powerful waves, their movements captured in a vibrant, expressionist style with neon colors and rapid brushstrokes, conceptually representing the raw energy and talent of the African surf revolution.The historic victories of Moroccan surfers Teva Bouchgua and Lilias Tebbai at the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup ignite a new era of African surf dominance.Avalon Today

In a watershed moment for African surfing, Moroccan surfers Teva Bouchgua and Lilias Tebbai emerged victorious at the recent Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup. Bouchgua's redemption arc and Tebbai's historic win as the first Moroccan woman to claim a QS event title have ignited a surf renaissance across the continent.

Why it matters

The success of Bouchgua and Tebbai not only secures their spots in the prestigious Challenger Series but also shines a spotlight on the growing talent and potential of African surfers. This could be a turning point, inspiring a new generation and elevating the continent's presence in the global surf scene.

The details

Bouchgua, after a disappointing performance earlier, arrived in South Africa with laser-focus, taking down top South African surfers en route to the final. Tebbai's semifinal upset against rankings leader Sarah Baum and her dominant final performance against Zoë Steyn made history as the first Moroccan woman to win a QS event.

  • Bouchgua arrived in South Africa determined to make the final after a disappointing showing at the Pro Taghazout Bay in Morocco.
  • Tebbai became the first Moroccan woman to win a QS event at the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup.

The players

Teva Bouchgua

A Moroccan surfer who secured his spot in the prestigious Challenger Series with a redemptive victory at the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup.

Lilias Tebbai

A 22-year-old Moroccan surfer who made history by becoming the first woman from Morocco to win a QS event at the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup.

Sarah Baum

A seasoned South African surfer who was the rankings leader but was upset by Tebbai in the semifinals.

Zoë Steyn

A South African surfer who faced off against Tebbai in the final of the Royal St Andrews Hotel Rip Curl Cup.

Connor Slijpen

A surfer from Llandudno, South Africa, who secured a regional title at the event.

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What’s next

The Ballito Pro in July will be the first stop on the Challenger Series for these qualifiers, and I'm eager to see how Bouchgua, Tebbai, and the rest of the team perform on a bigger stage.

The takeaway

This event wasn't just about Bouchgua and Tebbai—it was a testament to the growing surf culture in Africa. The success of these athletes could inspire a new generation of surfers, both in Morocco and across the continent, and help surfing become a catalyst for social and economic development in coastal communities.