Wheels of Freedom

How is the current situation for girls in Morocco skating? Did it change within the last years?

• F I feel like it changed a lot the recent years and girls are becoming more defensive now – social media contributes to that as well.
• W The skate community is definitely growing compared to the women’s skate scene a few years ago. There are definitely more girls skating nowadays, and I think social media has helped to raise awareness among other interested girls that women also have the power to do what they want.
• H The skate community has definitely changed for the better. Families are starting to accept girls skating – events, contests, and the efforts of female skaters like me are contributing to that. With @tifrkhin_skate we push girls to get to know each other and we create a safe space for women who want to start skateboarding but are too shy to try it on their own. I already convinced 10 other girls in my hometown to start skateboarding.

“I think social media has helped to raise awareness among other interested girls that women also have the power to do what they want.” Wafa, 28, co-founder of @wheelsandfins

What are the main barriers for Moroccan girls to start skateboarding?

•  F I think the barriers that stop girls to start are either family or the fact that they feel insecure to start especially in the cities as men will always underestimate their potential.

Did you experience any harassment and negativity in skateboarding?

• F Depends on the whereabouts, I grew up in Agadir and it was difficult to walk to the skate spots as we felt like a target of sexual and verbal harassment walking on streets with skateboards in our hands. It is like the skateboard is a permission to talk to us and harass us. We only feel safe and ourselves when we are among other skaters at the spots. I personally stopped surfing when I was 18 because I was sexually harassed on the way to the surf spots.
• H Yes, do experience negativity. I have experienced guys ignoring and excluding me at the skate park just because I am a girl who skates. My board was stolen in Rabat after I let a boy borrow it for a bit, he took it and I never saw it or him again. I stopped skating for 2 years because of that, but I tried again and came back in March 2022 with a lot of energy. But the reactions from guys are also often positive, a lot of boys support me and motivate me to keep skating. There is always good and bad, but I only focus on the good and I will do everything I can to improve the female skateboarding scene in Morocco and Africa.

“We felt like a target to sexual and verbal harassment to walk on streets with skateboards in our hands.” Faiza, 30

Do the girls’ families support their daughters or are entrenched perceptions of women part of the problem?

• W Morocco is a very diverse country and there are some families who are more liberal and open-minded than others.
• H Most families do not accept the idea of girls skateboarding as it is a more common sport for boys. But I feel like it slowly starts to change and families are more accepting of the ‘new’ idea of girls skateboarding. For me, it was not easy to start as I was the only girl in my local skatepark. But with confidence, it worked out and today my family supports me with what I am doing.
• F It definitely depends on how open your family is, I personally had no issues.

“But the reactions from guys are also often positive, a lot of boys support me and motivate me to keep skating.” Houda, 19 

• F It is important that people react when they witness sexual or verbal harassment, and not just sit by and watch. And of course, all children should be taught at school to respect women on the street.
• W It is important to create safe spaces and communities to help girls try skateboarding in a non-judgmental environment.
• H Moroccan girls need to feel safe and have the confidence to get started. Receiving support from their families and other girls is also important. This allows them to help each other and have the confidence to participate in events/workshops/competitions for girls.

“It is important to create safe spaces and communities to help girls try skateboarding in a non-judgmental environment.” Wafa, 28

What could be done in the future to empower and convince more girls to skate?

• F It will help to organize more competitions for female skaters as well, and not only for men. This way more women will get hooked on skateboarding.
• W It would be useful if official skate sessions/workshops were organized on a regular basis to promote skateboarding and show the girls’ families what skateboarding is all about. A safe space and more opportunities that involve them, i.e. sponsoring women’s contests. In general, it is important that they are included in the scene.
• H Is is important to see more competitions and events for Moroccan girls so that women can become professional athletes, too.

Faiza Moumane, 30, was born and raised in Agadir and for 6 years she lives in Taghazout and works as a surf manager is co-founder of collective and brand Wheels And Fins. She started skating when she was 17 by coincidence because a little kid in her neighborhood gave her a skateboard.
@moufaiza @wheelsnfins

Houda Ait Lahcen grew up in Taroudant, in south Morocco. The 19-year-old started skating in 2019, as her friend gifted her a skateboard for her birthday. She founded the girls’ skate community Tifrkhin Skate and organizes skate sessions and workshops for girls.

@nina.skater @tifrkhin_skate

Wafa Heboul, 28, grew up in Taghazout. She has been working in management and marketing in the hospitality industry for the last few years and now works as a freelancer. Together with Faiza, she founded Wheels and Fins. @wafaheboul @wheelsnfins