Raw Files | Olympic Games, depression and 10 years trying to qualify with Ramzi Boukhiam
10/30/24 • 28 min
Resilience isn't just a word for Ramzi Boukhiam. Judging from the last ten years, it's his whole life.
Ramzi started as just another kid from Agadir on borrowed boards, and with a burning desire to make it. The road to the CT was long - ten years long, to be exact. And when he finally qualified, an ankle injury sidelined him for his entire rookie season.
That's the kind of stuff that breaks most surfers. Not him.
Fast forward to today, he's the only Arab surfer ever to crack the CT. When he's dialed in, Ramzi can take down anyone. But his story goes from the highest highs to the lowest lows. He's refreshingly blunt about the mental toll, the isolation, and the relentless pressure of pro surfing. With the event window for the 2024 Summer Olympics days away, it's the perfect timing for another Raw File.
*We recorded this before Ramzi was awarded a definitive spot on the CT. At the time, he was an injury alternate trying to re-qualify the only way he knew how; The Qualifying Series.*
A conversation too good for the cutting room floor.
This is Ramzi Boukhiam, uncut.
More of Duct Tape Theory
- www.ducttapetheory.com
- Instagram: @ducttapetheory
Resilience isn't just a word for Ramzi Boukhiam. Judging from the last ten years, it's his whole life.
Ramzi started as just another kid from Agadir on borrowed boards, and with a burning desire to make it. The road to the CT was long - ten years long, to be exact. And when he finally qualified, an ankle injury sidelined him for his entire rookie season.
That's the kind of stuff that breaks most surfers. Not him.
Fast forward to today, he's the only Arab surfer ever to crack the CT. When he's dialed in, Ramzi can take down anyone. But his story goes from the highest highs to the lowest lows. He's refreshingly blunt about the mental toll, the isolation, and the relentless pressure of pro surfing. With the event window for the 2024 Summer Olympics days away, it's the perfect timing for another Raw File.
*We recorded this before Ramzi was awarded a definitive spot on the CT. At the time, he was an injury alternate trying to re-qualify the only way he knew how; The Qualifying Series.*
A conversation too good for the cutting room floor.
This is Ramzi Boukhiam, uncut.
More of Duct Tape Theory
- www.ducttapetheory.com
- Instagram: @ducttapetheory
Previous Episode
Chapter 4 | Morocco - the Taghazout edition
Chapter 4 takes us to Taghazout, Morocco, where ancient tradition collides with a thriving surf scene. We trace the evolution of this former fishing village through the eyes of those who shaped it, starting with Saad El Kilani, who first rode Anchor Point, the fabled righthander surfers from all over the world pilgrim to.
As we dig deeper into Taghazout's story, we ride shotgun with Othmane Choufani, the town's export to the global big wave scene. Through his eyes, we witness the transformation of his hometown and the complex emotions that come with such rapid change.
Ramzi Boukhiam's story unfolds next, chronicling his rollercoaster journey to the Championship Tour. His decade-long struggle not only showcases his individual determination but also embodies the resilient spirit of Moroccan surfers as a whole.
And finally, we meet Mariam El Gordon, five-time national champion, who opens up about navigating the complexities of being an Amazigh woman, a Muslim, and a surfer in modern Morocco. Her story beautifully illustrates the delicate balance between honoring tradition and embracing progress that defines contemporary Moroccan surf culture.
More of Duct Tape Theory
- www.ducttapetheory.com
- Instagram: @ducttapetheory
Next Episode
Chapter 5 | Mental Health
Chapter 5 rips open the veneer of pro surfing to expose the mental battles waged beneath.Kassia Meador ditches her sponsors and the limelight, realizing success isn't measured by contract figures.
Beyrick de Vries doesn't sugarcoat his spiral into addiction or the strength it took to claw his way out. Shaun Tomson, facing every parent's worst nightmare, shows us how to keep moving when life serves up its heaviest.
More of Duct Tape Theory
- www.ducttapetheory.com
- Instagram: @ducttapetheory
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