British and Irish Surfers head to Morocco for the final European WSL event of the QS Season.
The stakes are at an all time high as the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 2025/2026 season draws to a close for the Europe and Africa regions.
With a competition window from March 22-29 at the iconic Anchor Point, The Pro Taghazout Bay event will be split between the famous right hand point break of Anchor Point and the Trestles like peak of Anza.
There’s more pressure on the British athletes for this competition, as the Pro Taghazout Bay will be their QS season finale, crowning the regional champions and deciding the region’s Challenger Series qualifiers. The top seven men and top four women will qualify for the 2026 Challenger Series.
Lukas Skinner and Stan Norman currently sit in spots 12 and 24 respectively while on the women’s side Alys Barton enters in the top seed round ranked 12. All three as well as those below them need a solid result to shake things up but with 4000 points on the line, expect and hope for some big advances from the British and Irish crews.
Joel Gray gives us a run down on the competing surfers and gets an insight into their state of mind heading into the event.
Patrick Langdon-Dark
Wales’ Patrick Langdon-Dark has come close to qualifying in the previous years’ and has some experience of those bigger events as a wildcard. This winter he’s had a different approach to his preparation and is coming in full of homegrown Welsh stoke.
“It’s the first winter that I’ve really stayed at home and it coincided with a lot of really good waves. I also went back to riding John Purton (Welsh Shaper) boards after riding a lot of international shapes the last few years. Trying those other boards was good but it’s felt like the best thing I’ve done in a while working with a shaper I know. Working with someone full time can really improve your boards and your surfing. I’ve been working hard on my surfing, not with a coach or anything just seeing how I can do it while working in the family business and keeping up a good regular gym pattern. It’s been a super good winter for waves and Im really looking forward to the event.”
Stanley Norman
Bude shredder Stanley Norman jumped on the plane feeling buoyed by a strong result back in Pantin earlier in the season and a personal best end of season ranking well within reach.
“Im looking forward to getting the rashy back on and putting some scores on the board. My goal is to not take this all too seriously as I’ve learnt that is when I do my best. One heat at a time but hit finals day and then see where I am in the rankings. Im looking forward to the comp and enjoying the time with the people I’m staying with in Morocco (Pat and Lukas) and having a sick time really.”
Alys Barton
Alys leads the female contingent of Brits is within striking range of qualifying.
“Ive just touched down and the waves are looking incredible and the energy here is unreal. I’ve been training hard and I feel more than ready to take on Morocco. I’m in such a great headspace right now and Im so happy with my surfing, enjoying every moment and ready to win. I know I need a strong result but I’m incredibly determined. Seeing so many of the girls I compete with and have beaten, qualify for the tour just reminds me that I can do this too.”
Belle Betteridge
North Devon’s Belle Betteridge’s instagram is worth a look to see how much scoring she’s done this winter. When not at home this winter she’s spent some time training in Sri Lanka as well as a secret right hand point that could come in handy.
“I’m really just hoping we get some good swell to surf Anchors with no one out! I’ve been surfing a right hand point most of the winter so I’m just excited to get a chance to surf one with a competition rashvest on.”
Charlotte Mulley
Australian-based British shredder Charlotte is making her first trip to Morocco.
“Im looking forward to exploring this place, surfing some different waves, enjoy the culture and eat lots of Tagine! This winter Ive been working on consistency and while my goal is obviously to win, I also really want to enjoy the process and just surf my best.”
Heath Gillespie
Newquay-based Junior Heath Gillespie threw his name into the hat late and just jumped on the plane to Morocco.
“I saw there was a couple spots open and so I put in a late entry. I’m just really trying to gain as much comp experience as possible. Hopefully I can make a few heats and take down some big names in the process.”
Kaja Millward
Kaja is another junior who has stepped up this year.
“I had a last minute change of mind after a 17th at the Junior QS in Morocco in November. I have no expectations for this event other than make the most of the opportunity and hopefully surf Anchor Point with only three other people. I’d be stoked to make a heat or two.”
Tom and Rory Murphy
There’s been a huge push in competitive surfing numbers in Ireland recently and at this event it’s brothers Tom and Rory Murphy who are representing.
“I’ve done all the Junior and QS events that I can this last year,” says Tom. “My whole plan was to really prepare my surfing for the Morocco event. It’s actually been the best winter ever for the slabs over here so I’ve pretty much just been getting barrelled - I’ve actually not had the practice that I wanted for turns. Its been super fun but not the preparation I wanted but Im looking forward to giving it a go. It’s great representing Ireland. There’s been a massive jump since covid in performance with all the juniors. We have a great peer group and there’s also been lots of pro’s over this winter that really helps the level too. Also Gearoid Mcdaid - whenever he’s in water I’m just taking notes - having someone like him was a huge stepping stone as he’s proved it’s possible to make it to the top coming from Ireland.”
Lukas Skinner
With another QS win at Fistral this year, Lukas has proved that he can get big results across the line and he starts on the highest seeded round.
“Its going to be a great event. There’s loads of Brits in it which is really cool and everyone is looking really strong and we’re all fired up. I’m staying here with Pat and Stan and the vibes are really good. After a little spell training back at home it’s great to get into some thinner rubber. There’s definitely been some Challenger Series chats and that’s my goal to qualify for the Challenger Series and hopefully we can all make some heats and that will kind of come with that.”
Photos WSL/Pouillot
